the many loves of shyloh

Oh Shyloh. She sure has a way with the geldings. I am not sure if it is her beautiful blonde hair, her shapely butt, or her amazing personality but the boys do love her!

It started out with Baby Bob. . .

Snuggles over the fence

Next in line was Chick. . .

So cute!

Then Forsetti. . .

Just walking along. . .

And Ryleigh. Poor infatuated Ryleigh who still throws a fit if Shy is not in his direct line of view at all times. . .

Love!

Let's not forget Casi, her bud. . .

They love to run together!

And finally Shaman. . .

Caught with another!

Oh, then there is Notch, her trailer buddy. . .

Sharing hay on the trailer

And Rambo, her show love. . .

What is cuter than two Haffies in love?

And those are just the geldings that Shy gives the time of day! With all her human fears, I am very grateful that Shy gets along really well with all the horses, mares and geldings alike. She can be in a big herd and she is also just fine by herself. 

So are Haffies generally fast little whoreses? Rumor has it that we might be getting a 13.3 sport pony, gelding of course. . .wonder what that will hold for Shy's love life?

monday musings by shyloh #30

Whoo hoo! While the people are away, the Haflingers will play! Pippin, Doc, Camryn, come on over to my place! It's party time!

Allie went to some fancy schmancy place called Florida. I did a bunch of fun things while she was gone and some not so good things. I do not want to talk about the not so good things I did. . .

But for now, I am crushing on Chick again. He is so tall, he makes me look tiny!

Rekindling my love affair with Chick

I got super muddy running around the pasture with my friends!  Allie left me as a clean, pretty pony and I sure did not stay that way! Haha!  And the weather is so nice, I did not want to come ion from the pasture. Only when I was left all by myself did I decide that I should go in. 

Aren't mud baths supposed to be good for the skin?

Check out how long my mane is getting! Yeah, I'll probably be one of  those Haflingers. You know, the ones with the manes all the way down to the ground. On both sides. My forelock, too. Yeah, super sexy. Don't hate.

Now Allie needs to figure out a way to keep the ends from frizzing.

 I had a visit from my favorite farrier and his butt. I am always on my best behavior for him and his butt. I do love my mani/pedis!

Starving Haflinger that I am, I gobbled up all my food at each meal time. I swear that I am being neglected int he food department. I don't get nearly enough hay or other foods to sustain a Halfinger of my caliber of awesomeness. Can't you just tell that I am whittling away to nothing? No? Oh. . . Look harder. . .

Gobbling so fast, I'm blurry!

Here is an example of what Allie thinks I should look like:

All slim and sleek and hungry looking

Here is what I think I should look like:

Hay belly, full, and happy looking.

Do you think that there is a girth that would fit around that nice looking belly? Me either. Mission accomplished.

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #26

Presenting. . .

The Three Butt-kateers! Me, Casi, and Chick got to hang out in the arena. It was so muddy outside and we couldn't run like we wanted to run, so inside we went. We had so much fun! I love hanging out with my buddies.

One for all and all for food!

Did we have excess energy we needed to get out? I am not sure, you tell me. . .

Guess what? I am learning another new trick! I like to learn new things. These tricks are easy and I keep getting treats or grain. Except for this trick. . .Allie is a little too tall for it, but I am managing to try my best. 

I also got to hang out with Ryleigh for a bit. That was nice. We just walked around and chatted in our horsey way. Sometimes, love needs no words. He does get jealous of my friendship with Casi, but when there are only three other mares at the barn and two of them are not friendly at all, what's a social pony like me supposed to do? Not hang out by myself! Hopefully one day, we can all hang out and graze grass together.

That's about all for now. Things have been pretty low key around the barn. I was forced to harness up and I had to encounter a very scary horse eating sled. Or so I thought. . .turns out, it was just a sled and I got treats just for going near it. All that nonsense from Allie (I thought she was going to have a nervous breakdown over this) and all it took was some granola. Who would have thought? Anyone who hangs around  haffie, I would think!

~Shyloh

monday musing by shyloh #14

I'm going stall crazy! This rain has kept me inside all week. At least Allie opened by window so I could smell the fresh air. . .until it got too cold and it was voted that it needed to be closed. Good thing Allie, Aunt Kathy, and Aunt Robin let (forced) me run around the arena! A girl has got to get her exercise to keep her figure, especially if she wants to eat as much as I do!

At least I'm not muddy!

I had an eventful weekend. I learned how to get that horrible hay net off the wall! How did I do it? I'll never tell. . .and I didn't even break it! I like to keep Allie guessing.

And one time, I was in the arena with Ryleigh and Allie took him back to his stall for dinner. She left the arena door open just enough so I could fit through! So I went through it. . .  escape! I was kinda surprised at myself and stood just outside the door in shock. . .where to go with my new found freedom? I started to go to the right, but then I realized that MY dinner hay was in my stall, so I went left. straight into my stall. Hey. . .I can't pass up food, that's just not my style!

I reunited with an old flame this weekend, too. Chick went into the arena and he was calling for me, so I answered. This went on for some time, so Allie took me in there with him. Wowza! I couldn't help but "wink" at him, if you know what I mean. Ryleigh was sooo jealous. I must not be a one horse kinda mare. . .but Ryleigh is still my main gelding. 

Me and Chick, catching up on old times and living outside

Ryleigh checking out my luscious apple bottom 

What else went on this weekend. . .oh yeah! Allie rode me without the lunge line! We did real good together. Except at one point, I was paying more attention to following Aunt Robin and I tripped. But we were okay, I wasn't scared and Allie handled it real well. She made me turn left and turn right, stop and go. All on her own and without a saddle! I can tell she is getting more comfortable and her balance is getting better. Although sometimes, when she tapped her boots on the sides of my belly, I startled. . .I prefer her to squeeze gently. I may be sassy, but when I have an important job to do, nothing will get in my way.

I'm good!

Allie also worked with me on the mounting block. I am really not as scared of it as I pretend to me. . .life just isn't as fun without giving Allie a hard time! She kept lining me up, but as soon as she stepped on the block, I stepped away and she had to start all over. Soon, that got boring though, and I let her get on my back. Allie was really living life on the edge, because we were all alone in the barn! She did not have any helpers like all the other times. She sat on my back, so I was real good for her. I didn't move a muscle because she didn't ask me to. She kept rubbing my neck and telling me how good I am. Then she hopped off and I got some good eats! Sometimes, it sure pays to be good!

I was fell asleep with my head sticking out of my stall!

Well, that was my weekend. It was good times! I hope everyone else enjoyed their weekend, too!

~Shyloh

day two and my horse continues to be a thief. . .to her detriment

Bad new. . .because Shyloh continues to steal Chick's grain (and he just lets her), it looks like he is going to go back inside the barn. The grain is not good for Shyloh and it has Chick's supplements in it, which he needs.  I am really upset about my grain thief, she is relentless! But, as soon as the barn owner gets the back pasture put up and a fence in the back, Notch will be joining Shyloh!

WANTED: Grain Thief

Muddy paddock, big nostrils and why are Shy's eyes always half closed in pictures? 

Notch is a big, beautiful, black Percheron. I think he is 17 hands. . .to Shy's 13.3 hands! So, the biggest horse in the barn and the smallest horse in the barn will be together. Cross my fingers that it goes well! But he is usually pasture boarded and he likes mares, so it should be fine. . .right?

Me and Shy and her glowing eyes

Tomorrow is the big day! I feel like a kid at Christmas! I probably will not be able to sleep tonight or concentrate at work tomorrow. I think this surprise is going to be a real good experience! And I am tired of not having a plan with Shyloh. Today, we did not do much of anything. The paddock is still muddy and the grooming stalls were taken up by a farrier that was out shoeing horses. I really need a plan of action. First I think I really need to identify some attainable goals. I may have to work on that. . .

Nine Loves

Lets see, we can get the obvious out of the way. . .

Love 1 - Mike, the husband. My wonderful husband who surprises me out at the barn on occasion (like today) and puts up with pretty much everything I throw at him. I couldn't ask for a better person to spend my life with. Plus, he cooks (like he is doing now) and I don't! Yum, spaghetti! 

Love 2 - Cooper. My old man dog. We rescued him from a shelter seven years ago and he has been a blessing every day. And he can keep  up with the young one, he is quite spry for his age. He is truly a perfect dog. 

Love 3 - Maggie. My three year old black tornado from the hood. She was found on a busy freeway in a bad part of Detroit (are there good parts, you may be asking?) by a foster parent when I used to work at an agency. We took her in when she was about three months. She has been quite the challenge, but who can resist it when she attacks you with love? Not me. . .not Mike.

Love 4 - Shyloh. If you read this blog, you already know all about her! She amazes me every day!

Love 5 - Reading. I will read pretty much anything. I just love to read. For fun, for information, for whatever.

Love 6 - Nature/Being Outdoors.  This is a view from the top of Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes in Northern Michigan. I love it here. So Beautiful. I love walking through the parks, kayaking, bike riding, and camping. 

Love 7 - Relaxing days at home on the couch. What is better than a day just relaxing on the couch with the dogs, watching Law and Order and movies? Not a darn thing!

Love 8 - Being on a boat/kayak. This is two-fold. I love being on a boat. I love being in the water. Nothing beats relaxing on a boat, fishing, or cruising in the water on a tube. I also love this band. One guy is from Saturday Night Live. The are kind of raunchy, but hilarious.

Love 9 - Traverse City, Michigan. The most beautiful place on earth. This city encompasses almost everything that I love. Outdoors, my favorite lake, Lake Michigan, dog friendly, camping, boating, cherries, and so much more! There is a casino nearby if you like to gamble, it is very rural outside the city limits. It has the best ice cream shop ever. The sand dunes are close. The views are breath taking. If you ever have the chance to go, I highly recommend it.

mud party!

I guess this week's theme is party time! Shyloh has been having a mud party! And with all this rain, I can't blame her. Can we please send the rain to Texas or somewhere else that needs it? 

Shy has species identity disorder. . .she must think she is a pig, rolling  in the mud like that!

I had no plans today at the barn, except beat the rain. In that respect, I was successful because it started raining on my way home. Hard. Poor Shyloh. She has to stand around in a muddy paddock. But at least she gets to be outside, all the other horses have been in for the past few days. She can go in the shelter if she wishes, but I will guess that she does not wish to do that!


Yuck, the paddock was so muddy! I told Shy that she better come to me because I did not feel like walking out there. Surprisingly, she did! Without a peppermint! She just walked right up to me! Not that it did much good, I still ended up leaving the barn covered in mud. But, I think we are over the being caught hurdle, time to work on something new. I also discovered that Shy is not afraid of puddles, she will walk right through them. Good for me when we get to the point of trail riding!

Muddy faces!

I cleaned Shy up (why? I have no idea. . .), then took to her the big pasture to graze a little. She must have been delighted to be on solid ground, because she did this. . .

Then I let took her inside to let her run around in the arena. She trotted and I even got her to break out into a canter! I did not really want to put her back in the muddy paddock quite yet. I wanted her hooves to be able to dry up. I am going to have to be on the lookout for thrush, I think. But, she had a mighty fine time in the arena. . .

Can someone please explain her Justin Bieber head toss? That is her and Chick calling back and forth to each other. When we are working, she never calls back to him. At one point, I felt she might actually jump the half wall to get out to Chick!

Pretty girl trotting

I also have some really exciting news, but I am going to wait to share! I want to see how it goes first, so next week I will let everyone in on it! It kind of has to do with getting a program together, I am not sure yet. But I am very excited to check this out!!

monday musings by shyloh #2

Hellooo. . . helloooo. . .hellooo. . .is anybody out there?

I like Pink Floyd, they are calming. The lady was playing them once. Speaking of. . .I have not seen the lady in days! Where did she go? The last day I saw her she said something about "vacation" and "up north," but I had no idea what that meant, so I paid no attention. Guess it means, going away for a while. I hope it means that she is coming back, she always has yummy treats for me! And, I kind of missed her. . .we have been having some fun lately and I am starting to trust her, I think.

Since I had no work to do and I was not getting brushed or anything, I had extra time on my hooves. I used this opportunity to do some fun stuff. Here are some pictures of MY weekend. . . .

Party time!!

Too much to drink?

Arrrgh!

Lovin on Chick

Shhh. . .don't tell the lady about my debauchery! Sometimes a pony just needs to get out there and have some good horsey fun!! Plus, with the weather turning cooler, all of us horses have been in good spirits. 

A quick recap of the week. . . I have been a good horse! I have not been running form the lady, I have been letting her come up to me, even if I do not really want to. And guess what? Nothing bad happened to me!  So I do not have to wear my halter all the time now and it feels great. If I can just get this fly mask off, my face would be free! The lady has been coming by herself, when there are not any other people there or horses out. We get right to work, then we do something fun and I get a treat. And then one day, the lady took me to this great place full of grass and I could wander around all I wanted! I hope this continues . . .

~Shyloh

thief in the night. . .or just at feeding time

I learned today that Shyloh is a grain thief! I knew her love of grain was extreme when that was the only way that I could catch her ( I am able to catch her without grain now! Yay for me, boo for her), but she has taken it to a new level. . .thievery! Shy does not get grain daily. Being a Haflinger and reading all that I have about the breed, I opted to go grain free. She does get her supplements during the morning feeding though.

Don't be fooled by her cuteness. . .she has a Who me? Never! Look on her face!

But I have learned form Kathy how tricksy my pony is. . . She scarfs down her supplements, then goes for Chick's grain! I saw her once tip his bowl over so some grain spilled on the ground and she could clean it up. Kathy says that she has witnessed Shy multiple times stealing Chick's grain bowl right out from under him! She will grab it with her teeth and pull it away. And the strange part is that he lets her. I guess grain really is the crack of the horse world! And Shyloh apparently will lie, cheat, and steal to get some!

Pretty lashes. . .she probably stole them from another horse. . .j/k!

Today, I washed Shy's mane. Ever since I added coconut oil to it to help her dry skin (and it did help), it has attracted dirt like crazy! Her beautiful hair was looking gray and yuck. It temporarily looked so white and clean and pretty, until I put her back in her paddock and she rolled. Then she got up and snorted, pranced a little, and it seemed like she was saying don't wash my mane again, ha!  Sassy girl!

Clean and pretty mane!

Shy says I'll show you not to wash me again! Moo haha!

Must get both sides covered in dirt!

After her mane cleansing, we worked on an exercise called the keyhole. I really think I need to up the ante with these exercises for Shy. She is doing so good! I put the upright poles in front, because I know she has been leery about them in the past. After an initial stop to check them out and make sure that they were not a cougar in disguise, Shy walked right through them. I added cones, which we weaved and used to make the path narrower. I also put poles across, which she had to walk over. And, we backed through the whole thing! Shy was a genius! So I need to find some stuff that is more challenging to her. The other exercises that I found required manual labor to build parts, so I am not sure we will be able to get to those anytime soon.

I discovered this great blog, A Year With Horses, the other day! It's also in my side bar. This blog has put into words some of the things I want to accomplish with Shyloh, but I did not have the correct vocabulary for it, I guess. In this post, she discusses developing virtues in horses. The virtues she lists are:

Attention
Patience
Curiosity/ability to experiment
Forward/impulsion/responsiveness
Willingness/softness
Kindness/sociability
Calmness/relaxation
Self-confidence
Trust/trustworthiness
(taken directly from her post)

Her thoughts seem to be similar to my way of thinking and she explains how most people think they need to "work" the horse on the outside, but really, in order to establish and maintain a relationship with your horse, you need to "work" the horse form the inside. I thought that was very profound! She also has posts on her observations of how her horses exhibit these virtues and what needs to be developed more. This post is an example of that. And, yes, I picked this horse because his name is Pie and that is Maggie's "street" name.

This last post that I want to share is about making progress with your horse. I really appreciate her insight and how she is able to recognize that even the small steps count toward progress!  I encourage any one who reads my blog to also look at A Year With Horses. She has been blogging for a while and has many interesting and helpful posts.

Probably one of the best parts of my day were helping Kathy take the horses out! All the horses were great and it was fun seeing how excited they were to be outside. As soon as most of them got free, off they ran to the back of the pastures to graze or play or just be horses. 

just watching

Today, I sat back and watched Shyloh in her paddock with Chick. Snooze. . . 

Not what I was expecting. I was prepared to watch them munch grass, clean up what was left of the morning hay, and do their best to keep the flies off of them, but I was hoping that after a while they would forget I was there and they would begin to do all kinds of wonderfully amusing, cute, and entertaining horsey things. Not so. . . 

looking for food. . .

continue looking for food. . .

They ate and stomped and ate and and swished tails. Then, a twist in the dreary routine! They were thirsty and went to get a drink of water! And in order to drink this water they had to walk to the back of the paddock. This extreme movement constituted a break in the monotony! Then, at one gut-wrenching suspenseful moment, we thought Chick was going to roll, but we were highly disappointed when he decided to eat hay instead. 


So, I went inside to finish watching equestrian team practice and interact with people. When I came back out, something fantastic must have gone on, because one of Shy's ears was out of her fly mask. WTF? I missed it?? It was like having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the movie and coming back having missed the best, most action filled part. I was so disappointed.

This is a face of pure disappointment!

So, we sat back down and watched Shy and Chick some more. Again, more eating, stomping, and fly repelling. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. But then came the highlight of the whole horsey show!! Shy and Chick were being cute with each other! Aww. . .BFFs!

We're cute <3

Let's snuggle :)

. . .until Mike decided to feed them handfuls of grass. This is when I learned that the "love bites" along Shy's side were probably not done out of love, but out of food mongering. They were both going for the same piece of grass that had fell to the ground and clearly Chick wanted it more than Shy, he snapped at her and tried to bite her side! I guess they are BFFs unless it comes down to a blade of grass. . .

Even though watching Shy would not win an Oscar in the action category, I did learn some things. While Shy is forging for leftover hay and grass bits, she probably sucks up a lot of dirt, which can cause colic. So I am putting her on Sand Clear to put a stop to that. Tomorrow, I plan on doing my showmanship homework that Terry gave us.

This is how I smell for food!

Where did all the food go?