the marsh

There is a neat piece of land that was created by Detroit Metro Airport for taking up other lands to build the airport. It is called Crosswinds Marsh. They turned this chunk of land into a wetland and wildlife preserve, built trails, and opened it to the public for free. I have taken my dogs there many many times and I have canoed the waters. 

Arial view of the marsh. It has boardwalks (not for horses) and trails.

Today, I took Shyloh to the marsh. Jaime and Kyle picked us up and along with Notch and Clutch we traversed the equestrian trail.

Map of the marsh with the various trails

There was a local riding club there, so lots of people where out. Lots of people and their crazy horses and less than ideal handling. Jaime summed it up best when she said that she was glad that we hang with a group of people that really focuses on safety. They had horses going beserk in trailers, horses backing into each other tied to trailers, and people that seemed less than capable of handling these horses. Then there was the guy cooking hot dogs, who caught the grill on fire and threw it where there were horses all around! 

But we did see baby geese!

I must admit, I was a little uptight. . .I did not trust these people. But we unloaded and tacked up. As usual, Notch and Clutch were the highlight of the trip. Everyone loves a giant horse! Really, how could you not love those two big guys? Jaime was driving Notch in the forecart and Kyle was riding Clutch.

Shy was a little nervous, most likely feeding off of me a bit. She wanted to walk, so I let her walk around me in circles and she was perfectly content just as long as she was moving. As soon as the forecart was assembled, off we went. 

The first obstacle we faced was a wooden bridge. Shy wanted no part of this bridge. Jaime and Notch went over the bridge. Kyle and Clutch went over the bridge. Other horses went over the bridge. Shy would not go. We kept circling. . .I was determined to get her over this bridge by line driving her. Eventually, with a few taps of the whip we got over it. Then we went on our merry way. The more we trudged along on our 4.5 mile trek, the more comfortable Shy got. I discovered she likes to lead. We were in the lead pretty much the whole way. 

And, Shy did not dive for grass once!

Jaime worked on bringing Notch and the cart up past her, since Shy seemed to be a little scared of that. After about three times, it was not a problem. I did feel a little bad because Shy was very forward and wanted to trot, but I could only run after her for so long. I did get her to a super slow jog where I could walk behind her as she was jogging, but she wouldn't keep that up for too long because she wanted to go! She really seemed to be enjoying herself. She had a low head and her ears would flick from forward to back on me. Shy listened incredibly well, too. I was very proud of her. And of course, Notch and Clutch were perfect gentlemen on the trails!

Good giant ponies

After a while, we came to a part of the trail where we had an option: walk through a giant puddle of unknown depth or cross a bridge. Jaime and Kyle were feeling brave:

But that puddle would have swallowed me and Shy! So, we tried the bridge. Shy put up a little fight (side note: there were other people around), but eventually went over it. Then I took her in the water as far as I dared.

I think she would have gone all the way in. She was splashing around here.

Jaime went back through and lost her boots! So I had to bring Shy back over the bridge, get a stick, and fish the boots out. I was prepared for a bridge argument, but crazy Shy walked right over it, no problem, on loose lines. Note: There were no other people around this time. Coincidence? Most likely not. One of Shy's major goals in life is to make me look like a fool.

Found myself a boot catching tool

At the final stretch, Jaime and Kyle raced their boys and me and Shy walked behind. I was aching. Jaime kept telling me to hop in the cart and we would pony Shy, but I wanted to make the walk. Shy was being very good while we were line driving. She even worked up a small sweat!

When we finally got back to the trailer, all I wanted to do was keel over. We untacked and loaded everything and everyone up and went home. It was a great first outing of the year. It was me and Shy's first real trail adventure. I think she did fabulous and I know what I will expect from her in the future. A little bit of a nervous start, a very forward pony, but listens well, and willing to lead or follow.  I think I can deal with that! I think!

monday musings by shyloh #80

More torture. 

Pokes. 

I hate pokes!

I thought perhaps something special was going on. Allie got me before my breakfast and took me to my own little pasture. I got to eat my hay in peace and not have to run any other horses from my food. Then the weekend feeder lady brought me a big bowl of my own hay and pellets! Yum! I was being treated like a princess. 

Of course it snows right after I begin my shedding

But then Allie took me out of the little pasture. And the vet man came up to me. I had to give him the once over/evil eye. I didn't like the way he was looking at me. 

He took this sharp pointy needle and stuck it in my neck. Ouch! I backed up at lightening speed, needle hanging out of my neck. He was trying to get blood, but I was not letting my blood come out. I don't think he got the needle through all my thick, needle protecting hair. He had to try poking me all over again. I was not pleased.

Then the vet man poked me in my rear! Ouch! I spun around, needle sticking out of my bum.  Then I played keep my bum and needle away from the vet man. This was slightly more fun than being poked numerous times and it was a sight to see. . .Haflinger running around with a needle sticking out of her butt! The day was starting out so good with special food treatment, but now it was ruined by being poked. He had to poke me all over again. As if that weren't enough, he went to the other side of my butt and poked me over there, too! I tried my best to keep my butt away from him and his needles, but Allie seemed to be on his side. Vet man did say one good thing about me. . .he said my body condition looked good and asked Allie what he did. At least afterwards, I was let back in with my food.

As I was angrily eating some grain, I looked up and by big, black, beautiful boyfriend was there. Notch!! I got to hang out with him, and squeal at him, and show my my lovely rump, and eat with him. We trotted around a bit, but mostly hung out standing. I also met Isaac, the baby, for the first time. Notch might have some competition in my love department. Clutch was there, too, but we don't get along that much. The super nice barn ladies gave us all a flake of really delicious green hay. They are so nice at this barn!!

That is Notch's bucket. We can share food, but he got mad if I played with his bucket. Even when nothing was in it!

After my big boys left and Allie went with them, I was running up and down my pasture looking for them. When Allie came back, I was standing, looking like I was not just running around like a nut. But one of the ladies told on me, darn her. I don't like to let on to Allie that I actually care about things. I got put back in my regular pasture with my herd and I plan to be a wild horse for as long as I can!

~Shyloh

me vs the mini

I have never handled mini horses before. But I agreed to walk Pancake, the mini, in a local parade with Jaime and Kyle. Pancake was a pro, she did the parade last year. Should be easy. . .right?

Wrong. Pancake made it difficult for me from the get-go. I went to catch her in her little mini field with her mini buddies. She was worse than Shyloh at her worst! Pancake had all the horses tearing ass around the mini field.

zoom!

Funny thing about minis is that they are so small and funny, everything they do is cute. . .at first. Jaime  got some grain and we (she) finally managed to catch the little rascal. I walked her to the trailer and little Pancake refused to get in. She reared, holding the rear and sitting back on her legs. Cute and funny. Kyle said one time he just picked her up and put her in the trailer. Silly mini. We did not have to result to that and Pancake got in the trailer. 

Kyle was pulling the trailer with two minis and a horse. Me and Jaime would be driving Notch and Clutch to the parade in this:

Her brand new hitch wagon! It was awesome! And scary. It was the first time the boys were hooked to it. It was high (and I'm a bit afraid of heights). It was big. But Jaime and I climbed all the way up and off we went. 

So high!

After a while I relaxed way up there. The boys were amazing! I really can't say enough how great of a job Jaime did training Notch. We trotted pretty much the entire way. And we showed up to the parade in style!

At the parade start point, I put some antlers, bells, and a bow on Pancake. She was far from thrilled about the whole decorating thing. I began to wonder just how much it would hurt to get kicked by a mini, because I was sure that was going to happen. It didn't though. When I went to brush her front legs, she ripped my hat off my head and almost bit my head in the process. I was less than pleased. Jaime and Kyle out lights on the hitch wagon. It was so cool!

She sure is cute!

Itty bitty!

Poor Pancake acted like she had never been in a parade before. She spooked at everything. The eight shiny reindeer (mules) terrified her as they went past. 

They all had "anters" and pulled Santa!

And once the parade started, Pancake wanted to run like someone lit a firecracker under her! She was pulling me this way and that way. I held on tight right up at her halter and she pulled like she wanted to remove my arm from its' socket. I gave her slack on the lead rope and she was running back and forth in front of me. Little Pancake was literally dragging me down the street. Eventually, I got smart and let her run circles around me. At least this way I could guarantee that my arms would stay attached to my body. And she was screaming! Calling for other minis, since there were mostly big horses around. We were fighting the whole time and I think I was losing.

Of course, once the parade was over Pancake was a little better-ish. I would take a draft horse over a mini any day!

Sorry for the grainy photo

plow days

Another day and I was back in Ohio. This time me, Jaime, and Kyle took their horses to Plow Days. Basically, it was a lot of Haflingers, some mules, a couple Belgians, one Perchereon, and one Clydesdale plowing some guys field. We actually didn't plow since we didn't have a farm implement. It was cold, but it was fun.

The Belgians, they worked hard and plowed a lot of land!

Mulies!

Jaime took me for a spin with Notch around the cut down cornfield, then I got to drive him! It was really cool. I even trotted for a short bit. Jaime trained Notch all by herself and did an awesome job. He is such a good boy. 

Percheron butt!

Smiles!

Kyle rode Clutch. The Gypsys were there, too, being ridden. 

And this kid is a nut! He pretty much just scurried right up on top of Clutch to ride him.

Monkey boy!

I also got to go for a ride in a team Haflinger hitch. Becky trained her mares, Allie and Stinky, too. Their ride was so smooth, it was very nice. Makes me itching to get Shyloh going!

Becky and her mares, Stinky and Allie

Pretty Stinky!! Her eyes and face are just so soft!

A couple teams of Haflingers were hooked up three across. Beth's team had a newbie on the end. Moe was learning to drive and was his first time hooked up with other horses. He did a great job! Beth trained her Haflingers, too.

Beth driving her three with the farm equipment. Rambo is in the middle.

They did good! Even the new guy (with lead rope attached, just in case)

The other set of three

There were a few wagons. . .

And an eight hitch team of mules all hooked up!

Could you imagine driving eight??

At the end, they held a log skid contest. The point is to stop the log at certain points between the cones.  It was different. . .

Whew, what a horsey weekend! I am exhausted!

monday musings by shyloh #51

Well folks, I lucked out. No show for me. It was bittersweet. See, I did not have to do any work and I got to stay home with my buddy Robbie and graze, but I missed all my horse show friends. . .and that delicious Ohio grass.

Picking at the teeny bit of grass

Allie shared some photos with me of the great time that she had at the show. Good for her, I say. 

Jaime and Kyle in the riding class. Jaime took first!

Art and Sierra. Art can do this funny lip thing. And Sierra took first!

Kyle and Clutch

A mule! But sadly, no donkeys at the show.

Terry's first time driving! Notch was a champ!

A mini!

Notch and Terry again. Notch is taller than the van!

Kyle and Clutch in reinsmanship

Jaime and Notch in cart class

Beth and my show love Rambo. Isn't he handsome?

All my draft buddies!

I am sure I will be perfectly sound from here on out. . .ha!

~Shyloh