monday musings by shyloh #108

I was forced to do work this weekend. Actual work were I almost worked up a sweat. Almost, but not quite. 

Jaime and Allie's friend Haley came up from Ohio (land of delicious grasses) to ride Isaac. Isaac is just learning and Haley has no fears (except for mice and spiders and lizards and magnets and being locked in bathrooms), so she was the perfect person to get up on that big horse. Jaime calls him an elephant. 

Pretty sure that his head is as tall as she is!

Isaac was really good for Haley and didn't try to hurt her at all. That is success in my book!

Getting ready to go!

He was so good and brave.

But then it was my turn. No way! I ran and ran and ran from Allie, but she got me. It was getting dark and I still got tacked up to ride. Haley likes to ride me because I am bendy and quick and I can cut a sharp turn. That is lots of fun for her but not so much fun for Allie. 

Since I don't know Haley all that well and it was getting dark, I was a bit nervous in the round pen. I wanted to do so good, but if I messed up, I didn't know what was going to happen to me. I kept my ears back on Haley and tried to listen real hard to what she was asking me, but that just made me tense my body. Haley asked for a trot and I trotted. She asked for a canter and I trotted faster. 

I ain't afraid of no ghosts

They were all laughing at me and my super fast trot. They said my short little legs move so fast. They said maybe I have a fourth gait. They said maybe I am part Icelandic horse. Rude two leggers. I put on my grumpy face to show my displeasure at this.

After a while, I did canter for a couple steps. That is my least favorite way to travel and it is the hardest to do. Haley then had up run barrel patterns because of my ability to turn so quick. 

That night, I refused to be caught to come in the barn for the night. I might be made to work! No thanks, I think I'll stay outside with my minions.

Save me Terry!

Haley does give just the right amount of lovin'

The next day, I was forced into work again! This time, I cantered lots just so they wouldn't make fun of me and my super fast trot. Then we did more barrel patterns. I was much more relaxed this time. I had fun riding around fast. I think Allie needs to brave my lightening fast self now, right?

Oh yeah. . .and Allie says today is the last day to enter the giveaway! I suggest you do it so she stops talking about it. Ends at midnight!

~Shyloh

breaks, braids, and barrels

We started the day on a bad note. . .I had Shyloh running off some excess energy in the arena before her lesson. Since she just wanted to hang out the barn doors and eat grass, I had to make her run. Once I got her going, she was running and bucking and having herself a good old time. So good that she continued running straight through the 2x4 that that blocks the barn doors and off into the deep, deep grass. I got her corralled into a pasture and went to get her. 

 Crazy horse, who does she think she is? Haha! I'm glad that she did not get hurt though!

Before the lesson, I worked on my mane roll. This was the best one yet! Still needs a lot of work and it kinda fell apart near the end, but we are so close to getting it right!

For the lesson, we decided to do something fun. The barrels were out for Markie, so Beth wanted to see if she could make Shy a barrel racer! Fun! But going into this, you have to realize. . .1) Shy can't pick up correct leads consistently; 2) Shy has not yet been taught lead changes, and 3) Shy has never gone into the canter from a stand still.

I present to you: Shyloh the Barrel Racing Haflinger!

I think it is safe to say that she prefers dressage over barrel racing, haha! But it was fun and she was a good sport about it.

I got on Shy next. She was so good, again! I walked the barrel pattern, but attempted the trot at the end. Oops, I had the reins to loose and Shy took full advantage as she tried to exit the arena on her own accord, head in the air. I did get her to stop and we worked on some more turns on the forehand. And I did get her to trot again! She is hard to control when she is trotting. Beth agrees (but Beth has so much more experience, she can handle it) and said it is just something we need to work on. . .balance and control at the trot. 

I am so surprised at two great days in a row riding Shy!