spring clinic 2014

The annual spring clinic has come and gone. Months of preparation by many people are now over until next year. This was the first year that I have gone to the light horse clinic and the driving clinic. And even though I did not take a horse to the light horse day, I still learned quite a bit. 

The kids had a ton of fun on the light horse day. The clinicians were very helpful and offered a lot of small group demonstrations in showmanship, English equitation, Western equitation, trail and trail-in-hand. 

Showmanship

English Equitation

Western Equitation

Trail

The cutest part was a lunch time discussion of the Harry Hughes Youth Group on what Sportsmanship means. The best quote was from a poem that two girls came up with: "be a friend, not a rear end." 

Sportsmanship discussion

The driving day was a ton of fun for me because I got to bring Shyloh and drive Meatball. We had some great clinicians who have many many years of experience showing in the draft and driving world. They were very hands on in our sessions and even hopped in the carts with some drivers to offer instruction. We were broken up into small groups for the draft braiding, showmanship, safe harnessing and hitching, and single driving sessions. Then there was a demonstration on team driving.

Braiding manes and tails

Showmanship

Safe harnessing and hitching

Driving

More driving and team set up

The raffle was a success, too! I think a lot of people were impressed with the generosity of the donors and all the different items that they could choose to win from. The kids were super excited when their names were pulled out of the bucket for winning! And the Youth Group had a fun time drawing the names on both days. A lot of kids went home with some very cool prizes. 

Raffle Day 1

Raffle Day 2

The spring clinic is the kick off to a very busy summer! I am excited for all the fun that is to be had.

monday musings by shyloh #130

I went on a trip this weekend! I do really love going on trips. It is fun to get out and see the world.

Ready to go!

We went to my most favorite place, Harry Hughes in Ohio, for a clinic. Allie worked on some braiding and showmanship with me. Then she used Meatball for the driving portion. I think I am just not cut out to be a driving horse, it makes my heart beat super fast just seeing carts now. And Meatball does have so much fun with it. He would make a good CDE pony! He loves to go fast and can cut a sharp turn.

Cody was making Meatball drift!

But while we were down there, Allie did go for a ride! In the open! I was having fun and being a brat. 

Showmanship session

I got to ride down with the minions and all the other big horses went together in the big trailer. When Allie started riding me, she took me between two trailers. It was a little scary at first and I started breathing quick, but when I got to the end of the trailers, I saw Isaac! And I just wanted to stand next to him.  But Allie kept me going, even with my protests. Then I saw Notch, Clutch, and Reba with a perfect Haflinger sized space in between Reba and Notch. And I knew that was were I needed to be. I tried everything in my power to get into that spot.

Haley and Mary the big Haflinger

Allie was getting upset with me because I was using my awesome bending abilities to keep my head where she wanted, but move my back end where I wanted. Even once we got walking away, I showed Allie how well I could side pass. I really didn't want to leave my friends!

Riding!

We did a couple more laps around the trailers with me putting up a fight every time we passed my friends. But I have to say, Allie did win, even though it made her uncomfortable and a hunched over mess. And even though we fought, she says I did good because I didn't freak out and run away or even scoot. Allie says there is hope for me yet. . .the jury is still out on hope for her though!

~Shyloh

big clinic day

Holy farmer's tan! Whew are my arms red. But it was well worth it. I think a lot got accomplished today. Jaime's aunt let me borrow her trailer and I got up super early to pick up Shyloh and head to the clinic with Terry, Jaime, and Kyle.

Peeking out the window

First up was braiding manes and tails. For draft manes, a special ribbon is used to make a type of braid called a mane roll. The draft tail gets a braid and a bun. Shy got a tail cut because her tail was as long as it has ever been and was hanging on the ground. I knew I would have to cut it at some point, so no better day than today. Becky used Shy as the demonstration pony, which was good for me since I have been incapable of doing it on my own. Lesson one: It really does require two people. Lesson two: my attempts at the mane roll had me using sections of hair that was too thick. Lesson three: Shyloh can really clamp those butt muscles! Wow. She showed some of her best clamping during the tail bun demonstration. Lesson four: Becky can do some tight braids! But when all was done, the results were very pretty. Becky did a fantastic job.

Pretty tail!

After that, we had showmanship and halter practice. What I learned in this part of the clinic is that you are not supposed to let your horse fall asleep while waiting for your turn. Shy always falls asleep.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

She must find it boring. . .I also learned a little bit more about showing showmanship and halter, so I will be able to put that to use come showtime. . .if I can keep my horse awake in the line up.

Our lunch break included a discussion on Scotch bottom shoes. While I will never put those shoes on Shy, it was interesting to learn about them. I did not stay for the whole discussion, about halfway through I went to check on Shy. As I was petting her neck I found a tick! I am not looking forward to starting this whole tick thing again. Yuck.

Up next was safe harnessing and hooking to the cart. Beth was awesome and helped me fit the new harness to Shy, which included many confusing buckles and punching new holes. I may have to get a new saddle piece, but this one will work for now. Good thing for Beth, because she knew all these tips and tricks to get the harness to fit Shy just right. 

New harness!

Next she hooked Shy up to her cart and took her driving. This horse messes with me so bad because she was damn near perfect for Beth. They had a great start and Shy was doing very well. Then I got in the cart. I don't know why I am such a bundle of nerves with her. It is frustrating to me, but there is not much I can do about it, except keep on practicing. There was a point today where I was questioning myself and Shy because I have no confidence when it comes to riding or driving her. While I still don't, I think now that maybe me and Shy can make it work,

Cruisin'

When Beth was driving her, we discovered that the ball bearings on my wheels are shot. My new wheels. The wheels I have never used until today. What the hell? So I got out of the cart and Beth drove her back to unhook her. When Shy saw she was near her trailer spot, she started acting up. She would not back up for Beth and was giving her a hard time. I would have had a meltdown myself, but Beth handled it like it was no big deal. After Beth got Shy to do what she wanted, we unhooked her and  Beth went to hook Art.

I think Skylar liked it!

Beth also took her new puppy, Skylar for his first cart ride on Art. How cute are all of them?  Art took a couple kids around for some cart rides and I watched Curly. . .or Moe. He has two names. I have mane envy when looking at him.

Look at all that on Moe/Curly!

Art!

By now, most people had left and it was just a bunch of us Northwest Ohio Driving Circuit people still at the clinic. Jaime's aunt had found a saddle and she brought it for me to try on Shy. So I did and it seemed to fit pretty well. Haley was volunteered to get up on Shy and try it out. Shy was actually very good for Haley, quick, but good. Haley had Shy super trotting and turning and said she would be good at barrels, haha!

Then, I got on Shy! I haven't really been on this horse since October. . .well no one has aside from me sitting on her bareback a few times. As usual, I was a bit nervous (just because I know what she can be capable of), so I asked Haley to walk next to me. Shy was actually very good for me. We walked a bit, then I just sat on her and chatted for a while. It felt good to sit on my horse!

When I got off of her, this little boy asked to ride Shy. I said yes, but that I would walk with him. Shy was perfect for him. Absolutely perfect. *Proud pony moment*

Shy and her new buddy. She really liked him!

By now, we all were sunburned and tired, so we packed up and headed home. Shy seemed so happy to be home, she nickered when she stepped off the trailer and wanted to trot to her pasture. Once in there with the halter off, she took off towards the back where the rest of her herd was. 

On the way home after dropping Shy off, I drove the truck with the trailer. . .first time ever towing anything! And I did awesome. Now I am about to fall asleep dreaming happy pony dreams. Shy was a good pony today!

big clinic day!

Today was the big day! And, whew, am I exhausted! Me and Shyloh, along with Jaime and Kyle, Notch and Clutch, went to a draft horse/driving clinic in Ohio. My third weekend in a row spent in Ohio. . . We were a little late and missed the braiding part, but I learned a ton of other things. And everyone there was so nice and helpful! Plus, there were lots of Halfingers!

Waiting for the Pony Express to take us to the clinic!

First, the bad news. . .I am pretty sure Shy broke my pinky toe. It is swollen and bruised and hurts. I never realized how much we depend on that toe, I always thought I could do without it. We started the day with her stepping on my foot and I just knew that was going to be the bad omen for the day.

Now, the good news. No. . .great news! Shyloh was amazingly awesome at the clinic! She was on her very best behavior. She marched right on the trailer and dug into her hay bag. She had no problem being in the tight space that was reserved for her in the trailer. Then we went to pick up the big boys from their barn. Again, Shy had no problem with a giant Percheron and humongous Clydesdale right next to her.

All she needs is some hay and she is happy as a Haffie can be.

Big horse, little horse

A little over an hour in the trailer and we were at the Harry Hughes Youth Equestrian Center. It was a nice place!. They had a large outdoor arena, a smaller outdoor arena, lots of grassy areas, places to park trailers, and trails. Shy hopped off that trailer like, Hello!! I am here! Being in a completely new place with new people and new horses did not phase her at all. I tied her to the trailer and she just stood there.

Does she have donkey sized ears or what?

Oh, delicious hay. This is not bad at all!

Then it was time for the Showmanship part of the clinic. We had to stand in line, then when one person went, we had to back up the horse and move down the line until it was out turn. Shy was a backing up champion and stood like a pro. She was not fidgety at all. 

Waiting for our turn!

Then we did a walk/trot/golf club pattern. I had to learn how to stand Shy so the pretend judge could walk around her. They had to explain everything to me, I knew nothing. But Shy was excellent!

Kyle and Clutch

Jaime and Notch

Next, we harnessed up the horses and did some line driving in a figure eight around the cones. We kinda fell apart here, but we got some much needed assistance! I need to be sterner with Shy.After that, we were line driving all over the place and even did a small obstacle course! She was a little butt clenchy, but got over that pretty quickly.

Jaime and Kyle hooked Notch and Clutch to their carts and they drove around the arena while we practiced line driving outside the arena. We stopped to watch the Haflingers, Gypsy Vanners, mini horse, and a few other horses trot and walk around the arena. Shy was very interested in all of them. How cool is this:

Jaime and Notch

Kyle and Clutch

And, of course, Shy cannot go anywhere without a gelding falling in love with her. She met Rambo, who was cast under her spell. Aren't they cute together?!

They were kissing each other!

Today has led me to a couple conclusions:

• Shy likes to travel. She was totally fine with everything that went on today. She was so calm and at ease all day.
• We might have been convinced to do some in hand shows in this circuit! We had fun!
• If I think Shy will act up, she is an angel. When I think she is going to be good, she is not. So I will be thinking the worst from now on and have myself a perfect little pony!

driving seminar

I just got back from a driving seminar held by the Black Swamp Driving Club in Ohio with Jaime and Kyle (owners of the Percheron and Clydesdale). Anita Alden from Odyssey Training Stables was the clinician. She is actually located near Ann Arbor, which is much closer to us, but we took the trip to Findlay to learn about driving. Funny thing about Ohio, they actually had a fence in the median of the freeway with a donkey and some horses laying down!

It was a cold day and of course everything is outside or in a barn. We missed the individual sessions, but made it there in time for the seminar. When we pulled into the fairgrounds we saw some horses! Why is it that when I see horses I get so excited, even though I have one and I am around them almost every day? We got to see a Dartmoor pony, a Morgan pony, a paint pony, and a donkey!

The first thing I did before the seminar started was try a rein board. You take the reins and through a pulley system it has a weight attached to the other end and you can see how the way you use the reins work with the bit in the horse's mouth. Interesting.

Really useful to see what your hands are doing!

A man was there teaching a one handed driving method. He had me grab the bit and showed the difference between the "American" way of driving vs the one handed method (which is not really one-handed). Basically, you hold both reins in one hand, but your hand is sideways and by slightly releasing certain fingers, it tells the horse what to do. It made much more sense than the "American" way, as he called it. Also, instead of cranking on the mouth to turn the horse right, you release pressure to turn the horse. Makes sense. And the point of the whip is to act as your leg. 

We grabbed our chairs and a blanket, luckily Jaime and Kyle had one in the truck for us to share, and Anita started off explaining driving bits. As expected, there are all types of driving bits. Many of them are multi-functional, meaning that they can be used at different leverages depending on how the horse is acting that day. I think Shyloh might eventually go in the bit circled. . .but who knows.

Look at all the bits!

Anita went over what conformation and temperament is desirable for driving horses. Short backs and strong rears (engines) where needed for this activity. And curious horses are strongly encouraged, not fraidy horses.

Cute Dartmoor mare.

A little long in the back Morgan mare.

Anita showed us a few driving whips and how they were supposed to be properly weighted. Then she showed the proper fitting and tacking of a harness for the Dartmoor pony and Morgan. The harnesses they had were beautiful (and $2500 each!!). 

Driving is not a solo activity!

Make sure the harness fits correctly.

After the horses were in harness with their driving bridles on, Anita showed how to properly attach a cart. Then we went outside to watch both horses walk and trot around. 

Always bring the cart to the horse.

Bring the shafts over the horse to attach the cart.

Hold on to the reins.

Make sure you sit back, don't lean forward. The horses can feel that weight.

Horse should have three different trots: A quick trot, a working trot, and an elongated trot.

Overall, I learned a lot. Anita was very knowledgeable, but it seemed like she had so much information to share and just could not get it all out.  I am looking forward to the clinic I am taking Shy to next weekend with Jaime, Kyle and their horses! Fun!