new rule

Jaime is always making up new rules at the barn. They are mostly for me and Terry's benefit as we can be Snarky Rider's dream team of what not to do. 

First there was "no getting on your horse from the hay loft, " ahem. . .Terry. 

When they are so big, mounting blocks don't work!

And now there is "no round pen work with the minions." A week or so ago, Clutch had a really strange episode of kinda tying up. His muscles got hard and we was in a lot of pain, so Clutch was moved in with Shyloh and the minions went to live in the round pen. This was so Isaac and Notch would not chase or play with Clutch and Shy is not much of a chaser/player.

Since the weather has been nice, I have been doing my grooming in the round pen. And because I didn't feel like wrangling some minions (which really is a chore) and putting them on the hitching post, I left them in the round pen with us. When I worked Shy, none of the horses cared. The minions stood around and Shy ignored them.

We also stretch! Shy is holding a stretch here, she loves stretching!

If they were too close to the panels, Shy would push through them. Minions didn't care, Shy kept on working and listening to me. All was good. But soon, Shy came to enjoy busting through the minions. It was like "Red Rover, Red Rover, send Shyloh over!" and if I had her at a walk, she would pick up a trot and plow through them, then resume her walk. Once, she actually jumped Meatball! 

But overall, Shy was still listening and working really well for me and the minions ignored her. 

Not the other day. I got Shy out of her pasture and she was in heat. For some reason, Isaac makes Shy go into a nasty heat. Grossness in the next sentence. . .I think she squirts so much that she chaffs herself, then her skin starts to peel. I have to put Bag Balm on it. So, that is what was going on the other day. 

We get into the round pen and she is ready to go, giving a very willing canter. But I wanted her to walk. So she would walk half the round pen then canter through the minions. Dexter must have finally gotten tired of it so he started chasing and biting and trying to mount Shy, so she just went faster. And faster. And faster. And would not listen. 

I put a lead rope on Meatball and tried to catch Dexter, who was being impossible as he chased and bit at poor Shy. She did pop him pretty good though. Eventually Jaime had to come and save the day and a new rule was made. Shy was a tense, sweaty mess from all that cantering around. I felt really bad, but this was the first time it was a problem. Lessons learned the hard way . . . I let her rest, then worked on walk and whoa, because before we needed to be done, I needed Shy to listen to me and she needed to cool down.  She was able to bring herself back together for that, thank goodness.  

The pasture situation should be worked out soon, as the big, giant pasture is almost ready. It is just hard when you have a big, playful blue roan who only wants to hump Shy and chase minions, a Haflinger who can't handle the round bale, and an older Clyde with special needs. 

pre show prep

Our first show is Saturday!! I can't wait for show season to start and I took my time with Shyloh today to start prepping her for the show. And since I won't be able to get out to the barn until Friday, I had to start today.

The first thing I discovered when I went to get Shy out of her pasture is that she is in raging heat. Raging. Like she doesn't even bother to put her tail down because in a few seconds it will be back up for her to squirt. Nasty. And she does this crazy walk with her back legs spread apart. Such a weird horse. 

The lucky horse of Shy's affection is ironically, Traveller, the horse she refused to let get past the fallen tree when he first joined the herd.  Oh yeah, she really likes him now. 

  

A new love

But, good thing for me, Shy seems to contain her moments of heat to the geldings. When she is with me, she is the same as always. I started to groom her today and I noticed this sticky tar-like substance on her tail, butt, and rear legs. Weird. I was pretty positive that it was not poop. It was black and sticky. Very odd. Since I was convinced it was not poop, I was touching it and pulling at it. Later, I discovered it might be poop and I was totally grossed out. But after I put her back with the herd (and after I sprayed her with fly spray), I went back to her and she seemed to have this substance on her again. Any ideas what it could be? I did not get any photos of it.

I worked as much of it off as I could and I am giving her a bath Friday, so I wasn't too worried about it today. The more I checked her out, the stranger Shy got. She had these blood splatters on her under carriage and little bumps as well.

See the blood splatters and bumps? Had to censor her lady parts.

See it here? I am guessing bugs are doing this since Dancer had it too. 

I sprayed underneath her with water and washed the area off. Apparently it did not seem to hurt or bother Shy because she never swatted me with her tail or even lifted a leg. Anyone know what this is?

I also cleaned the dust out of her new harness. I put it on Shy and wiped it all down. Gotta love biothane! So easy to clean! Then I stored it in a plastic container to keep it clean and keep the dust off. Now I just have to wash the pad. 

I had Shy wear the harness while I cleaned. She needs to take an active part in  pre show prep.

The last pre show prep for today included a shave. I sadly said goodbye to all of Shy's cute whiskers and trimmed up her long beard hairs. She still would not let me clip the outside of her ears. I can hold the clippers to the side of her face, right below her ears, touching her, but the second they come within a millimeter of ear hair, Shy says NO! I also trimmed up her hairs along her coronet band. I am not touching her feathers, I like them too much. And her bridle path got a touch up. I know I will have to clean everything up on Friday, but I wanted to get a head start since I have not trimmed her since last summer. 

Smooth as a baby's bottom.

I am so excited for show season and all the crazy, fun, and busy-ness that comes with it!

roly poly

Horses having fun rolling around in the arena!

Shyloh!

Ryleigh!

Forseti!

Casimiro Tomas or CT, formerly Melvin! It means peaceful twin in Spanish. CT is very peaceful and he is a twin Appy, too!

 Is it Resy, or a zebra?

CT and Forseti

Shyloh and Ryleigh

Watch out! I have discovered the reason for Shy's moodiness. . .she is in heat! This is her first "real" heat cycle since she has been at this barn. And let me tell you, it is gross. Don't worry, I won't share the details. . .just know that this is quite an experience!