baby fever

Shyloh has it. Bad.

Instant obsession

Two of the Gypsy babies and one yearling came to the show yesterday. Shy was enthralled! We were in Halter class and the mom was also in the class. The colt, Moon, came in the class to stay by mom. Shy saw him and stepped out of the line up to inspect him. I pulled her back, but she wanted to go to them. When they went around the line up to get back in line, Shy became very concerned that she could not see the colt. When she got her eyes back on him, she just stared. 

She says, he is mine and I shall call him baby. He must have liked her, too, because he kicked out at the other horses and not at her. 

And so began the giant distraction of the last show. Shy was very preoccupied with the babies. How could anyone not be? They are so so cute! And so well behaved. They took everything in stride. Even napped. 

Babies and Mommas

Most definitely not the reaction I thought Shy would have given with babies. Since she is so independent, I always figured she would be a terrible pony mom. Not that I would breed her. Although, I kinda want to now, but that is just seeing cute babies talking. Logically, not a good idea. 

Even though Shy, in her mind adopted Moon, she still had a great show. All of our trail in hand work had paid off, we placed first in the class! It was a well deserved placing, too. Shy really rocked that course and even performed a perfect off side side pass and backing in an L shape. She also placed third in Halter (with Reba getting Grand Champion) and fourth in Showmanship. 

Show pony!

Shy also performed as a lead line pony for Lily and Noah, since his pony did not come to the show. The kids had a little trouble keeping her attention (remember, she was trying to keep tabs on her baby), but they worked through it. Lily got a second place in their Showmanship class and a couple fifths. Noah got a fourth and a couple fifths. Not bad, considering Noah has had no practice with Shy and Lily's practice has been limited. 

Happy Lily. . .and Shy staring off looking for her baby. 

Noah and his ribbons. . .and Sh, again, staring at her baby. 

It was a fun and relaxing show. Everyone had a great time. Ponies were all good. Couldn't ask for anything more! More photos here.

Shy and Baby Cuillien. She squealed at her and she jumped up and ran to her mom. 

Shy and the yearling Ferdy. 

A match made in heaven. . .Shy napping during the line up and Lily doing Yoga?

Lily and Tommy

Reba taking Lily and Tommy for a ride between classes

Becky and Freckles

Regina and Beth with Art

10 classes makes for a tired, droopy lipped pony at the end of the day.

shy and lily

The kids came out to the barn for practice before the show next weekend. They were immediately distracted by the chickens (who we let out to eat ticks). They loved the chickens! Tommy kept trying to see how many he could pick up at a time and Lily just walked around with a chicken tucked under her arm for the longest time. It was pretty cute.

He is going to be a farmer!

When we finally regained their attention to the horses, we started out by grooming them, as best as kids can groom a horse. The kids ran off to have a snack or something, so I hopped in Shyloh for a quick minute. Lily came back and saw me on Shy and wanted to get on. Then Tommy ans Noah wanted on a horses, so they went on Reba. Then. . .

How many more kids can we fit on a draft horse?

Pretty cute, huh?

We started working on Showmanship. Shyloh was so content with letting Lily lead her all around, stop her, and set her up. 

Shy is so incredibly patient with Lily

Reba on the other hand, stepped on two little boys toes. Big mare doesn't know where her big feet are. The kids were fine and we moved on to riding. 

Size does not intimidate Tommy!

I started Lily on the lead line, but before long she was riding Shy all by herself. Shy just loves that little girl so much! Everything Lily asked of her, walk on, turn in both directions, and stop, Shy did without complaint. It was amazing to watch and made my heart so happy to see Lily and Shy together. 

Look at those heels, even though she can't reach the stirrups!

What a pair!

I put the lead line back on Shy and we went on a walk through the property. . .it was no big deal to either Shy or Lily. We came back and Lily was telling everyone she went on a trail ride. So of course Tommy wanted to take Clutch on a trail ride. Out to the back fields we went. I got permission from Terry and Lily's mom to take the lead off of Shy and they were both okay with it. I stayed close, but soon learned I didn't need to. . .

Over the bridge

Look at them!

Smiles

Lily had Shyloh walking those back fields like a pro. Shy acted like it was the most natural thing she had ever done. They were both so comfortable together. And Shy was really listening to every single cue Lily asked of her. I was so proud of both of them. 

Tommy and Clutch

Brother and sister ride

So, bringing it into perspective. . .a five year old can ride my horse, no problem, but I cannot. I think it may have to do with the fact that Lily has no fears and no expectations of Shy. They just go and they just are. It is so simple. I need to take a page out of Lily's book because yesterday was absolute perfection. 

I am thinking Shy could be a possible 4-H project in a couple years. . .

first lead line practice of the year

Tommy, Lily, and Noah came out for their first practice of the year. These are our lead line kids that will be showing with us this summer. Lily will be showing on Shyloh, Tommy on Clutch (maybe), and Noah is showing Reba. Tommy and Lily have grown up (well, they are three and five) around horses with Terry and her sister, their mom. Noah takes lessons at a barn near his house. 

We only used Shy and Reba today so the kids took turns riding. We had them in the round pen and started the kids on the lead. Shy and Reba were being really good and the kids wanted off the leads, so we took them off. We had the kids practice steering and whoa.

Shy had one little scoot with Lily, but she was fine. The hardest part for the kids was getting the horses away from us on the ground and out on the rail. But we made them work through it and it was pretty successful. 

On to the cutest photo spam ever!

Lily and Shy

Noah and Reba

Look at them go on their own!

Shy listens to Lily so well

Noah rocked riding Reba!

Super cute

Tommy on Reba

Noah's turn on Shy

Cute pair!

Tommy couldn't really get Reba to move. . .

So he got on Shy, who is much easier to move

Lily on Reba and Tommy on Shy

Look at them all on their own!

Little kids on big horses, adorable!

Good pony grass snacks!

2013 in review

I covered my goals and what we have or have not accomplished this past year. Now on to the review of the whole year in the second installment of my mini series!

January

• I bought a cart!
• We spent a lot of time sledding with a plastic sled and pulling kids and adults around.
• We worked a lot on driving and pulling a tire over scary gravel.
• I caught Shyloh laying down and she let me walk up to her.

February

• We worked on desensitizing with the cart.
• Shy decided she wanted to be a leaper.

March

• Shy got a visit from the equine dentist and the vet for spring shots.
• I went to the Michigan State Stallion Expo and got to meet Stellar TVR!
• Shy was driven for the first time since I've had her by Ed. Later in the month, I drove her!
• Shy took off with the cart and had an accident, no injuries.

April

• Shy kicked another horse in the vagina. . ., it was her statement that she was now boss mare in the herd.
• I took Shy to pony boot camp in Ohio and she got a new driving bit.
• Me, Jaime, Kyle, and Haley went to Equine Affaire and brought home Shady, the mini donkey in the truck.
• We continued to work on our driving and took a line driving walk at The Marsh.

May

• I bought stuff:  a farm harness (I had a pleasure harness) and a saddle to hold me over until I could get a better one.
• We had our annual driving clinic and first show, where I drove Shy and we took 5th! I also got the Most Improved brush. 
• We began our battle of the bugs.

June

• More work with driving.
• More shows that we drove in and Shy actually worked up a sweat. Second place in halter!

July

• Shy started her newest career as a lead line pony.
• I went to the Great Lakes Haflinger Association Show with Becky and Beth. It was awesome!
• Shy had her 2nd Birthiversary with me!
• More driving work.
• County Fair time!

August

• I moved Shy to Jaime's house.
• Shy was in her first show as a lead line pony.
• Shy got super fat off of the round bale in record time.
• Beth came up to work Shy in the cart and Shy told her no.

September

• I got drug through the soy beans by Shy.
• I went to see Mia, the Haflinger I used to lease.

October

• We went to the Fall Drive in Ohio, I took Meatball.
• We went to the Michigan Great Lakes International Draft Show and Pull.

November

• Helped Jaime and Kyle make improvements with the barn.
• Worked on getting used to being on Shy's back again.
• Haley worked Shy on some barrel patterns.
• Terry and I took Shy and Reba to Plow Days in Ohio. 
• I think I officially decided not to work Shy on driving anymore, or at least not by myself.

December

• Blogger Gift Exchange!
• Shy ate a ton of treats wrapped in plastic.
• We took Shy, Clutch, Reba, and Dexter to some Christmas parades and froze our butts off!

And that is about it. I felt that the first part of the year we focused on driving and working hard, but the second half we really fizzled out and spent more time goofing off and having fun. Next up: 2014 goals!