ravenous draft

The following photos are very disturbing. . .do not scroll down if you don't think you can handle it. . .

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These are the photos of a draft horse at dinner time. It is just awful. 

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Shyloh looks terrified.

See how she runs the other horses off their food? See how she won't let the other horses eat? No? Me either.

But, I guess because Reba is big, she intimidates people. Especially those who don't know much about herd dynamics or how horses eat. 

All Reba does is simply eat some food, then slowly walk to the next pile of food to see if there is anything better there. She does not eat all the food then go on to the next pile. She does not pin her ears or chase other horses off. The other horses could stay (clearly, they sometimes do) or check out another food pile. 

But apparently, walking around checking out all the food turns feeding time into a "circus." Ugh. Just let horses be horses! And also, I really need my own horse keeping facility.

/end rant.  

monday musings by shyloh #118

I had the best weekend ever!

I spent time with Allie cleaning the barn, picking up spilled grain and left over hay. And I got to spend most of my weekend with my big horses. . .and more importantly, the round bale. I was beyond happy!

Haflinger Heaven

At first, Isaac was all up in my ish and I had to squeal and give him a couple double barrel kicks to the chest. Geez, sometimes a girl just doesn't want to be bothered like that. Fortunately, Isaac got my drift and we were able to eat hay together without him harassing by butt. 

I did keep getting kisses though.

Since the two leggers know that I can be a bit difficult when I have access to my round bale, I had to be put back with the minions so I would come in at night. It's cold and windy and the two leggers think that I am bothered by that. I am not, for the record, they seem to forget that I thrive on cold air. Mountain pony. . .right?

Walking up to Allie

I got to go back out and hang out with my big horses again the next day. Even though I needed a new round bale and didn't get one, I still had fun. I had to not so politely remind Isaac again that I was not interested in his nose up my butt. I was also told that my squeals may sound like a bunny dying. . . 

Opposites attract!

At least in the back pasture, I could see all the action in the back field with the horse sledding going on. I sure peaked my interest to watch. And it gave me a reason to run around a bit. 

Sledding is that way. . .

I got some bananas, too! I love bananas, peel and all. Hope everyone has a wonderful week! I know I will if I get lucky enough to hang out with my big horses and round bale again.

Yum!. And a new, girly lead.

~Shyloh

2013 goals

The first in my three post mini series on the year end wrap up.

This year has been full of awesome fun stuff and setbacks for me and Shyloh. But how have we done with our goals so far? My 2013 goals have been listed under a tab labeled "2013" on the blog.

Goal 1: Drive a Cart with Shy

Done. We got the cart and I drove her for the first time in March. Then we had an accident. But we have some awesome friends who helped us get over that. We even drove in this show and this show!

Now sure why I am cut out?

Goal 2: Ride

No. We spent the majority of the year focused on driving. I tried doing both the year before and it was too much, so this year we cut out riding. So no riding.

Goal 3: Go on at least one trail ride

Yeah, no. Well, maybe kinda. I went on some trail drives that were not with Shy, here and here and here. I took Shy out a lot and we did some line driving on the trails and walking the trails several times. But I am going to go with a not completed for this goal.

Good to know my pony doesn't care about puddles!

Goal 4:Get at least one ribbon in the Northwest Ohio Driving Circuit
Yes! We got a first and second place in Halter classes, a couple of fifth places in Trail in Hand, a fifth place in Draft Working Cart, a third and fifth place in Line Driving Obstacle, a fourth place in Showmanship,, and a first place in a fun class where you had to drive the horses hooked to a sled through a course and spill the least amount of water from a bucket on the sled. Shy teamed with Art for this. Beth drove Shy and Art in a couple classes and took first and second with them. 

The ribbons we earned!

Goal 5:Continue working on trick and clicker training
So so. I do this when the weather is bad or I don't really feel like doing anything else, or we need a break. But nothing new or really awesome was done with that. The bow is taking a lot of time because Shy won't put herself in that position at all. She feels too vulnerable. 

Standing on the mat and smiling. Skillz

Goal 6: Continue keeping Shy happy and healthy
Done! We have not had anything issues with my hardy horse. We have the vet out for shots and the dentist out for a float. Farrier comes out on a regular basis for trims. We had a slight issue with weight, but I think that is under control now since we surgically removed Shy from the round bale.

Overall, we completed about half our goals and did some work on all but one. Up next is our whole year in review. 

How has everyone else done with their 2013 goals?

monday musings by shyloh #101

My How-To Guide on how to keep a Haflinger in perfect(ly fat) condition:

1. Provide a round bale and 18 hour turn out with large draft horses. Us Haflingers cannot regulate ourselves and feel we have to be near or eating the round bale at all times.

This dive into the round bale gets an 8.9 for form and function.

Notice the drafts giving this Haflinger time to eat all she pleases before they have their share

2. Watch as Haflinger naps near the hay to make sure no draft horse takes any more hay than is absolutely necessary. 

This Haflinger even has a watch horse watching over her and the round bale.

3. To burn calories, have a Haflinger tug-o-war with the two legger every time they want you to leave the pasture. The Haflinger will put all her might into not budging from the round bale. 

This Haflinger protests at leaving her precious hay.

4. Put a grazing muzzle on the Haflinger. This is not to prevent the Haflinger from eating as much, it is just to provide a 5-10 minute session of extra calorie burning as she works at getting it off.

Haflingers get super sad when their access to food has been restricted. Then they get angry!

See the muzzle hanging down? At least this Haflinger has the decency for once to not leave it at some random spot in the field to be searched out by a two legger..

5. Stop giving the Haflinger her night night hay, only so she can burn extra calories by stealing the hay from the every growing  Percheron baby stalled next to her. . .

Look into my eyes. . .you are getting very sleepy. . .give the Haflinger all of the hay. . .

6. Watch as the Percheron willingly shares all of his grain with the Haflinger by dropping it over on her side of the stall and onto her water bucket.

Haflingers tend to not be picky about where their food source is coming from. . .the ground, a wet water bucket, another horse's mouth. . .

7. Finally move the Haflinger to the diet pasture with the minions, much the the Haflinger's displeasure. Minions are instantly entranced by the beauty of the Haflinger and follow wherever she goes. Haflinger is highly irritated, but then decides that they can be bent to her will and uses them accordingly. The hinny is upset whenever he can't see the Haflinger and one pony is in awe of a "big" horse that looks just like him. 

This Haflinger is sharing secrets with the minions on bad behavior.

The minions are following their new leader.

The minions are excited that a "big" horse gets to hang out with them. The "big" horse is not as excited, but thrilled at the prospect of bossing minions around. 

8. Break the two leggers heart and stand at the gate where her drafts are (or is it where her round bale is?) wanting to be with them (or it).  Either way, the drafts are equally as upset that the Haflinger is in the diet pasture. 

This Haflinger looks as if she is in foal. . .with twins. I assure you, she is not. 

9. Constantly remind the two legger that none of this is helped by the fact that pony time or potential pony exercising time has been drastically reduced due to other, less important obligations such as school and work.

Exercise must be gotten in various ways. . .after a tough workout, the halter is usually awry. 

10. Continue to try and convince the two legger that the Haflinger is just preparing her body for winter. 

Winter pony!

11. Surprise the human by taking first place in halter mare class. Apparently this judge loves perfect(ly fat) Haflingers!

The extra fat makes the Haflinger's body just shine and glow!

And that is how it is done!

~Shyloh

hay baby

Holy fatness, batman. . .Shyloh is growing a hay baby! Her belly is rapidly expanding between the grass and the round bale. Shy even gets night night hay, which she has not been eating so we are going to cut out completely. I hope her harness girth fits because as it was, it was on the last hole and a tight fit. . .

Her sides stick out so far!

Other than her growing hay baby belly, Shy is adjusting very well. She knows which stall is hers, she comes in with no problem at night, and she has not destroyed anything. She is a good pony. 

Belly almost touches the ground. . .

And Shy is making friends. Between hanging with Isaac and Shady, and Notch, Shy now has been hanging with Reba. I am not sure if grumpy Clutch will ever let Shy hang with him, but as long as he isn't biting her or running her off (running her off too much, some running would probably help the giant belly situation), I am sure Shy is fitting in just fine. 

Shy and Reba

I finally got bearings for my cart and I had fully intended on putting them in and putting the wheels back on today. But I forgot my tool that puts the thing on the thing that holds the wheel on. . .so technical. By Friday, I hope to have my cart up and running soon so I can start working Shy and work that belly off (hopefully off of both of us). I think Shady was trying to tell me something about that when she snuggled up to me and them bit my chunky side. 

Shady's favorite spot

As for Shy, we really need to get that hay baby down, so until the cart is in driving shape, we may have to utilize the round pen. I am sure Shy will be thrilled about that. . .

I can see the round pen being a problem for me though. . .

Shy, totally okay with her hay baby

monday musings by shyloh #83

What a weekend! I was forced to do work. Actual work. Not the "work" that I do with Allie. It was fun and I think I may have a new love. I was paired with Art. He sure is a handsome Haffie. We kept looking at each other when we had the chance and nibbling on each other. 

Can you see my tongue sticking out?

See. . .I am a good horse! But I have been getting a bad rap at my home. Ever since Lukas left (he was my meal ticket), I have had to fend for myself with my food. So I was forced to be a little bit mean. See. . .

Hey, a working girl has got to eat! And I have to do whatever is necessary to make sure I do.

But I can be nice and share, too. . .When I want. . .

But my ears do get sore from being held back all the time

So it seems that Allie is getting super serious about me pulling a cart. She got me an actual driving bit. She means business now!

It's a straight bar Liverpool. I used a similar one at boot camp.

Allie just needs to realize that I do enjoy going fast. My legs may be short, but they are quick. She has to get used to that and then I think we will be okay. 

And I got a visit from the treat guy! I let him give me hugs because he gives me treats.

Awwww

Well, I'm off to wash all this sand and dirt off me. It's raining and I am pretty dirty. Ah. . .natures shower!

~Shyloh

hungry herd

I worked my fuzzy pony in the cart today, all by myself (pat on back). She stood perfectly still when I hooked the cart on and stepped off very nicely. Good backing up when asked, great stops and stands, and nice gees and haws. Yay Shyloh! This may be easier than I thought. Aside from a bit of unasked for backing in the beginning and being a little tough on the right rein, she was awesome! I think it is time to get out of the boring arena and take our cart to new destinations. . .being the roads on the property.

Fuzz almost hides the girth!

Good pony!

A perfect stand!

When we finished with the cart, the herd had just got their hay. . .oops! I untacked Shy real quick and threw her in with her buddies. I think it's cute how they form their own groups to eat and stick together. Shy is no longer at the bottom of the herd. I saw her move off two horses just a pin of her ears. I took a bunch of photos of dinner time.

Mane is so clean from the snow!

Silly Dancer, you have hay on your head!

Lukas, Tony, and Rainy Day make a trio of eaters.

Pretty Zanna eats by herself

 I took Shy's tail out for the night

Jessie and Shy share