going places

You know what is one great thing about Shyloh? She loves to go places and she is so good when I take her. I still remember the first time I took her anywhere. Jaime convinced us to go to the Harry Hughes Draft Clinic. It was the first time I trailered Shy and the first time we went anywhere since I got her (almost a year). I had no idea how she would react. Well, Shy hopped off that trailer, saw grass, and was completely comfortable. And that is how she has been ever since. New places don't bother her at all.

Going places!

So, I was not surprised when me and Jaime trailered (okay, Kyle drive us) Shy and Clutch out to her old boarding barn for a lesson. Yes, we took a lesson! And it was in an indoor arena! I was 50% excited and 50% nervous. Shy has been acting very sassy Friday and early Saturday. And a bit spooky, when I was dragging the poop sled she was running around the back of the barn. Usually, she just lifts her head to look at it. So, I took precautions and shaved my legs before the lesson in case I ended up the hospital.

Clutch

When we got there, Shy was quite intrigued by the alpacas, emus, goats, and chickens that she could see from the arena. She was also interested in the minion and donkey that were stalled in the arena. I hand walked her around a few times so she could look at everything and so she would loosen up and I could tighten the girth. 

Then the lesson began. Shy started off by being a little jerky and not standing at the mounting block. Danyale (the trainer) did not let Shy get away with that and it was quickly stopped. She stood, I got on, and we had a great lesson! Shy got sticky a few times, but that was the worst of it. She was really a rockstar!

After ride

The best part was that Danyale is giving me tools that I can use when riding and working with Shy. I think having tools will help to build my confidence since Shy is different than the Haflinger I leased. Another thing that Danyale pointed out was that I had to stop living in the past with her. Stop focusing on all the things that she used to do and focus on what she is doing. 

That pooflock!

I probably spent over an hour on Shy. I didn't want to stop riding. We were having so much fun! And we were both so relaxed (well, I was much more relaxed by the end). Although, she did make this weird growling/grunting sound a couple time. . .not sure what that was about. 

monday musings by shyloh #100

I had another lesson with Tommy and Lily, my lead line kids. Although, I guess they really can't be called lead line kids anymore because I let them ride me all by themselves. I like these kids. 

Of course, I had to mess with them a teeny weeny bit when they were trying to tack me up. Silly kids, they weren't big enough to get a saddle on me anyway, so why not have some fun with them, right? But they sure are persistent in trying! Gotta give them credit for that. 

But after my fun, I was super good. I gave them just a hard enough time to make them work, but never scared them. And after, I got carrots!

It sure pays to be a good pony!

~Shyloh

the drive

Did I ever mention I have some awesome people in my life?

After yesterdays big fiasco, I had someone to pull me out of my pity party and another person offer to help me. So I drove myself down to Ohio and got some drive time with Beth and Art.

Art is a punk rocker! And Beth rocks!!

The first thing you must know about Ohio (and I really apologize), is that people from Ohio cannot drive a car. They are terrible drivers! Since I live pretty close to the Ohio border, I see a lot of drivers form Ohio. They will be the people going 50 mph in the fast lane (where everyone knows you go at least 80 mph in that lane). The second thing about Ohio that you must know is that it is boring. That being said, most of my experience with Ohio has been driving through it on I-75 to get to Florida or somewhere. 

I totally take back the second thing about Ohio! Sorry, Ohio-ans are still slow drivers, but Ohio is actually really nice! Just not on I-75. I first noticed Ohio being pretty is when we started going to Harry Hughes. They had some really beautiful "up north" trees. But my trip today really solidified how nice Ohio actually is. 

Beth's place was amazing! She had a pond, trails through the woods, and four funny Haflingers. I mentioned to her how I would never get anything done with four Haflingers on my property and she pointed to her house. The front window faces the paddock where the Haffies are and Bath said her chair was positioned so she could watch them! How awesome!

Beth got Art out and put his harness on him to drive. Funny how Art was the only one that did not mob us as we entered the paddock. The other three wanted lots of love! Watching Beth hook and set Art up made me realize that me and Shy still have some things to work on. Art cam move completely sideways, which turns the cart on its wheels, without moving forward. Shy always wants to move forward when doing this. And Art can stand perfectly still when he is all hooked up. 

We both got in the cart and Beth started driving Art all over the property. Art was forward and wanted to go, but he listened great and had an amazing stop. What a good pony! If you have never ridden in a cart before, it is a different feeling. Sometimes the first step is more of a lurch forward. . .this is where my body tightens up, which can be transferred through the lines to the horse. Because I do not have a lot of experience driving in carts, my body is still not accustomed to that feeling, so I tense. It is kind of like the first couple times riding a bike or rollerblading, or doing anything new where your body is moving in ways it is not used to moving. . .make sense? I am sure after a few  drives, I will loosen up from the get-go and be fine. Plus, driving with the big horses is different from the Haflingers.

After a while (and after I had loosened up and relaxed), Beth handed me the lines. Art seemed to know there was a transfer there and was very kind to me when I was driving him. He did not pick up speed when heading in the direction of the barn. He was so good. So good. I walked him all around the property. Then, Beth told me to ask Art for the trot. And I did. And Art was a super star! I really wish I got some photos, but I was so busy learning. And I learned a ton. 

I am so very grateful for Beth taking her Saturday to give me some instruction and let me drive Art. I needed that. And its cool that Art has a poofy, short forelock like Shyloh.

holy cow

Two buddies grazing

Kathy and I took Casi and Shyloh for a visit to the cows. We wanted to see what the horses would do up close. The cows were quite intrigued to see us. . .but the bull was pretty upset.

Shy and Casi could have cared less about the cows. Shy gave some odd looks every now and again, but she was mostly interested in the grass. It was cute to see just how curious those cows were. They seemed so friendly and not at all concerned with the bull's digging and grunting.

Hey you!

So why is it that this horse could care less about moving, mooing cows, but is freaking out over anything that slides along the ground? First it was the tire, now it is a plastic tote that I use to store her harness. Shy had herself so worked up in her stall over me moving the tote that she was grunting, breathing hard, and refusing to eat her hay!

Great, I was so upset over this because Beth was going to give her a lesson today and I wanted Shy to be in a good frame of mind since she has not been ridden in about three weeks. Beth worked with her in the stall because Shy seems to have lost all sense of manners over things that slide along the ground. She tries to run people over, she puts her butt to them, she is just plain rude. This behavior is not acceptable! After quite a dizzying while, Beth got Shy to circle in her stall without trying to run her over when she was near the tote. . .which was not even in or directly in front of her stall! This horse can just about fold herself in half to avoid "scary" things. Then Beth walked her in and out a few times until she gave no resistance in leaving the stall or hurrying to get back in the stall.

I tacked Shy up in the dressage saddle and Beth got to riding. As usual, Shy did the unexpected. Beth was ready for a crazy, scooty, Shy not listening ride. And so Shy was nearly perfect, especially for the extended time off. Stood perfect for mounting, set her head right away, was light on the bit, bendy, and a few other dressage terms that I am not familiar with. Beth said that Shy is getting to the point where she is fun to ride and is picking up new dressage-y concepts. This pony loves dressage!

How do you think Shy looks? Do I really have to start learning dressage?

I think she does not love pulling stuff so much. . .what am I to do? Maybe this is her way of telling me? Or maybe she is just being a brat?

pulling stuff

Shyloh is soo much fun! 

Beth gave me a lesson on long lines to help Shy and me with her line driving. We worked on keeping contact and a the dreaded trail obstacle. . .tarp with board. Beth noticed Shy is not confident with a person behind her, so she gave me some exercises to do to increase her confidence. Basically, I stand at her head and move backwards a little at a time until I can move behind her. Then I repeat on the other side. Shy's goal is to stand still and not move her head or her butt. So that is why Shy will go over the tarp and board when I lead her, but not when I drive her.

After we conquered the trail obstacle, the real fun began! On a whim, we brought the sled out. Shy had not seen the sled in quite some time, so she was a little iffy about it. I walked her around it a few times until she got comfortable and hooked her up. Whoa! When it started dragging behind her, Shy got her quick legs. But she did not go far and before we went halfway around the arena, she was fine dragging it behind her.

Sorry about the crappy quality, cell phone pics from far away!

I suggested that Beth hop on the sled. She was a good sport about it and got on, even though she had her reservations. I had Shy near her head for safety. When Shy felt the weight, she stopped. It was a struggle between stopping and going, but eventually Shy made it around the arena twice with Beth. 

Then it was my turn! Shy was done at this point. She refused to move forward, despite our consistent tapping. Eventually, we got her moving and she went about half the arena. Shy needs to build up pulling muscles and learn how to balance herself while pulling stuff. But if we keep it up, I'll be riding in a one horse open sleigh by snow time! Or at least a sled in the snow. . .

I worked by myself with Shy on a different day. I used the exercise Beth showed me before we began any work. To my amazement, it made a huge difference! I did not have to spend the first ten minutes of line driving getting Shy to stop straight and not constantly step to the side. She stopped perfectly!

I worked with Shy on the dreaded trail obstacle and she acted like it was going to attack her! Why oh why mare? But I did some lunging in each direction around and over the obstacle and she finally went over it. I am beginning to think that she does does stuff to see if I can make her. 

This is the extremely edited version. . .We spent a lot of time on this.

I brought out the sled again and hooked Shy up. I really need to get something much shorter than the sled that I can walk behind. When the long lines are too far back, Shy is not as responsive to directions. But, we did it and I decided to add some weight to the sled. I used a 40 lb. bag of alfalfa pellets. At first, as always when Shy is pulling weight, she refused to move forward, but I got her going. Why does she always refuse to move forward? And nothing will make her until she is good and ready to go. Finally, when she was ready to walk, we did a few laps around the arena and called it quits. 

It's nice to finally get some practice in with pulling and line driving. There is not enough time in the day or days of the week to do everything I want to do with Shy! Maybe if I didn't work. . .

definitions

My previous definition of a good ride on Shyloh: not falling off, no bolting, and no excess scooting.

After many many "good" rides on Shy by both Beth and myself, I need to change the definition. Her scoots are at a bare minimum and she does not appear to want to get either of us off her back.

The new definition good ride on Shy: listening to the rider, bending, not over reacting, and not being arena/barn door sour.

Ugh! Shy has become so sour to the doors that lead her to her stall. After about ten to fifteen minutes of good riding, Shy has it in her mind that she is done and wants to go back to her stall. Most likely to do this:

snooooze

Yesterdays ride consisted of a constant fight after the "allotted" ten minutes of ride time. It was a fight to keep her moving forward or even moving at all. She would stop and look at the door. I could see the whites of her eyes from looking in that direction. I would urge her forward and she performed the most beautiful, unasked for side passes. Just because she wanted to keep her eyes on the arena doors. 

Today, Beth rode Shy outside. Again, after the first ten minutes, Shy was trying with all her might to stop at the spot of the outdoor riding area that was nearest the barn door. 

Equally frustrating to the ride time limit and being door sour, Shy throws in other ways to keep us on our toes.

Yesterday when I was riding, Shy thought being hard on the left rein and leaning into the bit was the way to go. She was tired from her hard day of grazing. So tired that she was falling asleep when Beth was explaining some new concepts to me. We did serpentines and figure eights to practice bending. Shy did do pretty good at these, but she just had it in her mind that she did not feel like working. But the trots. . .she did not want to do any for me. But I kept at it, with her being hard on the reins and every thing, until I got just a few good steps at the trot. Whew.

Today, when Beth rode, Shy switched it up and was amazing on the left rein and hard on the right rein. Since Beth has not worked her in a while, Shy was under the impression that a trot now consists of a few steps then stop. Oops. . .my fault! Beth fixed it and trotted her around for a long time. 

Shy is constantly challenging us and changing up what she does. Beth likes the challenge. So we have to always be thinking and changing what we do in her training. Today it was small serpentines to get her to bend. Tomorrow? Who knows what Shy will fancy. . .The only thing I am sure of is that my definition of a good ride will eternally be updated to fit our needs.

Shy likes strawberries!

why now brown cow?

Wow. All I have to say is wow. I must have brought another Haflinger home from the show on Sunday because the one I have now is super fantastic! 

But, no, the Haflinger I have IS Shyloh. Shyloh, who has had pretty consistent lessons since March. Shyloh, who doesn't swing her rear end when being mounted or walk off during the dismount. Shyloh, who hasn't scooted or spooked in quite a few rides. Shyloh, who listens to cues and pays attention to the rider. Shyloh, now knows legs have other meanings besides go forward as fast as possible. And Shyloh, who learns from Beth and is able to tolerate me, who is learning, as a rider.

I rode her again today, outside. I started out inside and did a few laps at the walk. Beth commented that Shy has a nice bouncy walk; she is using her rear end! She is very dressage-y. Her walk was very forward. It felt so comfortable. 

But then Louise came in the arena. Shy does fine with other horses, but I was a little nervous. Louise would be practicing her sliding stops and spins and all that reining stuff. So we went outside. 

Beth walked her around real quick and Shy was great, so I hopped on. I even got on without the mounting block! I usually use one, but mounting has become easier and easier, so I decided to try without the block. She prefers being mounted from the ground anyway. At first, Shy knew I was on her and that I am not like Beth. Shy tried to eat grass. But I didn't let her. Then she refused to moved forward. You could tell she was debating with herself if she wanted to try to go for grass or listen to me. She decided to listen!

We did a bunch of walking and circles and I had Shy moving over off my leg. Awesome horse! But then her ears started pointing forward and her head went up. At first I thought it was from a car in the distance, but nope. It was the cows. And the bull was mooing. The same bull that hates me. He was mooing his awful, hateful moo. Shy knew he was mooing at me. 

So I kept moving Shy in circles and she would be fine, until we faced the cows again, then her ears went forward. So we kept doing circles and I kept her moving. And she was listening to me! She was concerned about the cows, but she was not tense and not ready to do anything evil. 

I was going to trot, but I opted not to, mostly because of the cows. We had a great ride and I wanted to keep it at that. Small successes to build her confidence and mine. I hope she keeps up her awesomeness! I just know she will throw a wrench in the plans somewhere. . .but I will be prepared for it.

I really can't say enough great things about Beth and all she has taught Shy and me. I am so thankful and I am pretty sure Shy is just as thankful. 

monday musings by shyloh #40

Ohio grass sure is tasty. . .not sure why Allie won't let me eat it. I keep trying to tell her I am hungry and I want to eat it, but she never lets me. So, to help feed a hungry, hungry Haffie, please send donations of hay to Moonlyte Equestrian Center. 

I had another show. Show days are rough. I get waken up so early in the morning and I have to stay awake all day. And I get no grass to eat in the process. Here we are waiting in line for our turn at showmanship.

Look at us!

Isn't my butt pretty? So many Haflingers!!

I was so tired today, but I saw Allie was coming to get me. I just knew I was going to have to work, so I figured I would make Allie work, too. I went to the very furthest corner in the very back of the pasture. And then I made her come all the way to the back to get me.

I'm just a speck on the horizon

Guess what happened today? Allie rode me and not Beth! I was sooooo good, too! I could tell Aliie was real relaxed, so it made me feel at ease and relaxed. I took Allie all around the arena, over poles, and through cones. And I was really listening to Allie when she was steering me. At first I was really sleepy and just plodding along, but after a while, I got into the ride and had a more forward walk. Beth called it my bouncy walk and said I was using my rear end. I was just waiting for Allie to ask me to trot. . . I was really into our ride, but she didn't. I like when Allie rides me, I don't have to work nearly as hard as when Beth rides. 

Think I will keep being this good for Allie when she rides?

~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!

cloud nine!

Shy has not been ridden in almost three weeks. Beth said that Shyloh will either be really, really good or really, really bad. Guess which one Shy chose to be. . .

New training aid. . .cavesson so she stops putting her tongue over the bit. 

Let's just say that. . . 

I TROTTED ON SHY!!!!!!

It was amazing, even though it was a few steps and only a few times. But she did it when I asked and stopped when I asked. I am soooo happy right now! And, I got it on video! This is the start of a whole new chapter for us.

I purposefully did not want to go too far with her since my steering needs lots of work and I did not want Shy to get too excited and take off. 

Shy had an amazing lesson today. She was dream pony! She remembered pretty much everything she learned so far. And she remembered that legs do not mean shoot forward! There was no boots, no scoots, and no boogies. Shy was so relaxed, set her head, and was just overall awesome. Even though, ever since she discovered that moving sideways is the new fun thing to do, that is all she wants to do. Move forward? Nah, let's go sideways, says Shy. Silly pony. And Beth tried some neck reining with Shy. We are not there, yet, haha!

Funny thing is, I almost did not ride her. I was ready to go, but she was being such a booger at the mounting block I was about to give up. I thought, if she does not want me on her this bad, what will she do once I am actually on her? But I persisted and eventually got on. 

I conquered my far end of the arena fear and rode Shy down there. We did (attempted) turns on the forehand. I worked on using opposite leg/hand to move her over to the rail. I am still shaking from my extreme happiness at how far Shy has come!

monday musings by shyloh #36

Guess who's back? Back again? Dream pony's back, tell a friend!

I am back and better than ever! So much to share. . .what first?

I graduated from the German martingale! Back to regular reins for me. And I am doing good in them. And guess what we did?

Jumped!! Never mind that we did it in a dressage saddle. . .we were just trying it out and I went over! But not like Casear. . .Beth tried jumping him for the first time ever and he did good at 1.5 feet. Then he decided to get fancy on all of us and jumped the 4.5 foot pasture gate! Whoa! And all he did was scrape his leg. 

But back to me. . .I was soft and supple and not scooty at all! It is because I am awesome. I was feeling really pokey yesterday and I made Beth work her legs pretty hard. My thought is that if you want to ride me, you must be an active participant. I am not a couch! But then Beth got "my best friend", which really not my friend at all: the whip. She doesn't even have to use it, just knowing that she has it gets me moving! Enjoy some canter transitions. . .I still need the German martingale for those. Something about moving off my rear end during those is just so difficult right now with out it.

Today was even better. I got to ride in my Western tack. What a difference. . .I was not used to it and got surprised a few times at how different it felt, but no scooting!  Beth did leg yields, which I rock at and canter work.  My canter still needs work, but everything else is all good!

Then. . .da da da dum. . .

Allie rode me! She learned how to disengage my rear end properly and we walked around a bit. She had to work to keep me going, because I don't really believe her when she tell me to walk on. She needs to say it like she means it! But, I was so good and when I was done I got a banana and blueberries. Yum!

Go me! I am an awesome horse!

~Shyloh

foiled again. . .

The question being, who was foiled? I think Shyloh was foiled, then in retaliation she foiled us, but eventually we got the upper hand and foiled her! Finally, I hope. So today's score is Shy - 1, us - 2.

For today's lesson, Beth had a plan. Well, Beth always has a plan, but Shy works very hard on upsetting the plan, so the plan is constantly changing. The plan is to address Shyloh's scooting. She scoots into transitions, she scoots when too much leg is used, she scoots when she doesn't want to do something she is asked to do. I should have named her Scooter. 

Beth has concluded that Shy is scooting to get out of using her rear end properly. She is not used to using those muscles and is fighting it every step of the way. So we started off with some round pen work. With side reins. The purpose of the side reins was so Shy was not able to raise her head and scoot into her transitions. This was to encourage her to use her rear end. It was also teaching her to accept the contact of the bit so she would not evade it. The hope was that this would translate to the saddle. Another plus of the side reins was that Shy couldn't dive for grass. Woot!

Beth set them on a loose setting to get started. Shy was not pleased. I swear she was glaring and thinking hateful thoughts at us. Then the side reins were tightened a bit. Shy was even more upset. When asked for a canter, she almost bucked out. She thought about, almost did it, then for whatever reason, decided against it. 

Shy is so unbalanced at the canter, she will often pick up the correct front lead, but the wrong back lead. After she was able to do it correctly, Shy was done in the round pen and I saddled her up.

Our hopes of round pen to saddle translation were dashed. Shy started scooting all over the arena as soon as Beth put some leg pressure on her. To Shy, leg pressure means go forward NOW! We are trying to teach her that leg pressure can mean other things. After our initial disappointment, Beth had a idea. She went searching through her plethora of equine related gear and pulled out a German martingale. 

Beth explained how it was used. Similar to the side reins (which are dangerous to ride in), the German martingale encouraged Shy to use her rear end by not letting her head pop up for the scoot. When Shy held her head in a rear-engaging position, it released pressure. Beth said that she would not be riding long in this; since it was forcing Shy to use muscles she has been avoiding it and did not want to over do it. Beth also stated that the German martingale was not something we want to rely on, but just to get Shy to understand how she needs to move. 

Shy actually did very well in the German martingale. Only one small scoot. And Beth discovered that Shy is able to do lateral moves. So lateral moves will now be part of the training regimen. I am going to have the fanciest trail horse out there! 

the round pen

Oh Shyloh. Always trying to be one hoof ahead. She still has not quite grasped the concept that her shenanigans result in extra work for her. Or she likes doing extra work, but I doubt that.

We started round pen work. Shy actually did very well, but the temptation of grass and dandelions was too much for her. This was the first time I did round pen work and it seemed like Shy had some round pen work in the past. We worked on using body language to get Shy to walk, trot, canter, whoa, and switch directions. We did have to use a lunge whip at first, but quickly transitioned it out. 

Shy worked up a sweat working in the round pen. It did not help that every time she felt we were not paying attention, she dove for grass. Or when she was asked to whoa, she went down for grass. Or when she was asked to walk, she tried to sneak in some grass. Sometimes, I think it was just the principle of getting grass, because she knew she was not supposed to do it and would push the grass out of her mouth as she was made to trot or canter. But sometimes, those dandelions would disappear into her mouth like they were being sucked in. 

But with the bell boots and splint boots on her, she had a beautiful trot and canter!

After the round pen, Beth rode her for a bit. Shy was tired and did really well. Not quite my dream pony from the other day, but very good. So I got on her. I walked Shy around, worked on using my legs to keep her on the rail, and walked over poles.

Did I say Shy was tired? She started giving me some trouble going left. So after we went over the poles, I made her go left. Shy said no and scooted herself into a canter, a canter that I did not ask for nor was I expecting. I was able to stop her relatively quickly and stay on. Go me! Then I made Shy walk around some more doing circles and going over poles. No more troubles from the pony.

I am thinking that her scoot and take off is a tried and true way that she has used in the past to get out of doing things she does not want to do. Well, it is not going to work anymore. I know Shy can work without doing it. And if she continues to do it, she will have to work harder. 

frustrating pony

Scenario 1: Shyloh has been in her stall all day due to the threat of thunderstorms. She has not been worked in a week. The wind is so strong it feels like the barn roof is going to rip off. It is so loud. There are no other people or horses.

Scenario 2: Shyloh has spent the day outside with her herd. She was just worked the previous day. The weather is nice, the sun is shining. The arena doors are open. There are two other horses in the arena and some people.

Which scenario do you think Shy would be an absolute dream pony and which one do you think she would be a horrible nightmare in?

For the dream pony, if you guessed Scenario 1, you are correct! Yesterday was amazing! Shy was awesome. I got to the barn and turned Shy out in the arena to run some energy off of her and get a good roll in the sand. She was being very sassy and having herself a good ole time running around, bucking, and doing these little bunny hops. Then she riled up the hole barn by calling to the other horses and they all answered back. The wind was howling, but Shy never gave it a second thought.

Shy's fan club

Once Beth got to the barn, I tacked Shy up and Beth began to put out poles and a tarp. Something new! Beth wanted to work on getting Shy to use her back end more. I told Beth that Shy has not shown any spookiness at the wind (it sounded like it was going to rip the roof off), so if she becomes spooky, she is faking. 

No worries, because Shy had no spooks or scoots this ride! Wow! She walked, trotted, and cantered over poles and tarp. She hesitated once when going over the tarp the first time, but never gave it a second thought any other time. Beth was very impressed with her canter transitions, she didn't know where the improvement came from. Shy has not been ridden since the testy ride last Tuesday. Her transitions were really good and much more controlled and balanced! 

Beth also worked on a side pass with Shy, which Shy figured out. Beth was very impressed that Shy was responsive to her legs and not jumpy at all. Shy was also able to disengage her hind end without a fight! 

Then I got on Shy! I think we are like a vicious cycle. If she is relaxed I am relaxed so she is relaxed. If I am tense, she is tense, so I am tense. Make sense? As soon as I got on Shy, I could feel how relaxed she was; sometimes I can just feel the nervous energy in her. We walked on and went over the poles and the tarp. Shy was wonderful! She listened to what I was asking her and was so calm. This is the pony I want her to be all the time. Shy got a ton of praise and we ended the lesson a little short, but on a great note!

Scenario 2 was today. I went to the barn with high hopes of my perfect little pony and she did not deliver. Shy was fighting Beth every step of the ride. Shy wanted to go fast, so Beth made her go fast. Round and round they went. Shy wanted to stop, Beth said nope, we are going fast! Shy was very hard on the left rein and kept locking up on the bit. She gave Beth a hard time when she was asked to disengage her hind end. She kept scooting into her transitions. Beth would touch her mane or the side of her neck and it would send her flying forward. It was horrible, awful, terrible. Not as bad as it could of been, but where was my Shy from yesterday? 

Getting ready to give Beth a hard time

I did not get any video of the disaster that was today. I was in shock and disappointed in Shy. Clearly Shy knows what is being asked of her and is able to perform, but chose not to do so today. I should have got video of her ride today. And to think, poor Shy (and me) would have got the day off tomorrow if she was a good horse. Oh well, more work tomorrow. . .

testy testy. . .

Shyloh threw every trick in her book at Beth tonight! Beth was going around the arena and stated that we couldn't see it, but she was having major arguments with Shy! This turned into visible arguments. . .

First it was OMG! You touched me with your leg! I must scoot away at lightening speed!

Then came I think this door is super scary and mountain lions are hiding behind it! I must take off past it!

And If I act super scared of everything, will you get off of me?

Next up was going behind the bit. She learned this quick and keeps on trying to do it. Ugh.

After that was Leg? I are bumping me? Oh, kicking now? I can't feel anything. Oh. . .you want me to disengage my rear end? Fine. . .

That turned into I'm not moving, I don't care what you do to me!

Finally, Shy came up with When she asks me to canter and I pick up the wrong lead, we stop! Moohahahaha!

Frustration! But eventually Shy straightened out (somewhat) and did some real work. Actually, Shy's canter transitions have really improved! Only a step or two of turbo trot before she takes off into the canter and she is holding it longer. By the time Shy got done, she was sweating! A ton! Her ears, her neck, her girth, underneath the saddle pad, and she even had the foamy butt sweat! She has never had foamy butt sweat before! 

I don't know what got into Shy today. The lesson did not have the best start. On the first go around the arena, Shy got too close to the wall and her rear hoof hit it scaring the bejesus out of her. Beth had to really get her to stop. This lesson was different in that she had an audience of people watching and usually no one else is there but me. And there was another horse being ridden in the arena who was acting up himself, but Shy did not seem bothered by him. Excuses.  

The only thing I can think of was that Shy was being testy. She was seeing what she could get away with and trying some old tricks that may have gotten her out of working before. Well, those don't work with Beth. Beth made her back up, repeat, and disengage her rear end. 

I did get on Shy to walk her around the arena a few times. She was very relaxed and tired! She did not want to move! Her turns are so much better now, not the super sensitive turn, but a more controlled turn. It was nice, but I am still not comfortable in that dressage saddle!

Hopefully Shy has realized that she failed her own tests and goes back to her complaint self! I did not get video of her acting up, I was too much in shock by what she was doing! I wish I did get some to show what she was doing and how Beth was correcting it. But, oh well. . .

One more day of work, then Equine Affaire!!

monday musings by shyloh #32

Oh the wind! It was blowing hard today and making lots of noises. So it made me extra booty-scooty when Beth was riding me. You do know that the wind brings in mountain lions, don't you? Cause it does! Unless I am outside eating grass with my herd, then the wind which brings mountain lions is not so scary. Actually, it doesn't bother me at all in that situation. . .safety in numbers, right?

My mane is a-blowing away!

But why oh why do I have to be ridden at all? Can't I just be a wild horse? I guess I know that the answer to that is no, so I have to come up with creative ways to try and get out of work when I would rather be doing other things, like eating. 

Where are you grass?

My newest thing is to go behind the bit. I lower my head all nice like I am supposed to, then I lower it even further. Haha! But that Beth is real smart and makes me trot or walk or do something so I can't do it anymore. Gotta think of something new. 

I also memorized every place in the arena that Beth asks me to go into a trot or canter, so I am prepared for it. Beth tries to change it up, but really, there are only so many places that she can ask. So we got to go outside for something new! Super windy, but I was real good! So good (and tired) that Allie even got on me! Not for long and only for a few steps, but that is a start. Like I said, it was real windy and she must have been worried about those mountain lions, too.

Here is the highlight reel of my ride!

~Shyloh

shy does sweat!

We had really been wondering if Shyloh produced sweat or not. After all her lessons, she had yet to break a sweat. Sometimes, she seemed to be on the brink of sweating, just not there yet. But today, sweat! And it was not even hot out. How did we (Beth) get her to sweat? Canter transitions!

I present. . .three minutes of canter transitions, with improvement!

Aside from the really good work Shy did and the sweat that it produced,  this was the first lesson where Shy visibly had several arguments with Beth. The lesson started on a bad foot. Shy was not wanting to work, she wanted to be outside with her herd. I don't think it helped that I had already tacked her up and did some in hand work for about 20 minutes and then untacked her, before the lesson. Shy probably thought she was free for the night. Wrong!

Shy kept stepping away when Beth tried to mount her, something she has not done since the first lesson. Beth finally made it in the saddle and Shy was ready to go! She had some nice bends and a nice trot going for a while. Beth also said she felt really good and felt rounded and relaxed quicker. And she let Beth post the trot on her, without having an issue with it!

But then, Shy got into her head that she did not want to listen to legs and tried to push back into Beth's legs. Beth stopped her and worked on disengaging her back end. This happened in each direction, but as soon as Beth let Shy know that her behavior was not going to fly, Shy straightened right out. I think Shy was testing her. And lost.

Silly Shyloh has been fooling us all along, having us think that she is super sensitive to pressure! When she is thinking about it, she does her scoot when given too much leg pressure. But, when she is concentrating on something else (like arguing), she has this amazing ability to totally ignore leg pressure!   

Other than that little argument hiccup, Shy was amazing once again! Beth remarked that Shy is incredibly smart and is retaining all the new stuff that she is being taught. Shy is is understanding what Beth is asking and doing her best to give it, but sometimes her muscles are not strong enough, yet, to hold herself. She is improving at a remarkable rate! (insert super proud mama smile here) Next step is to take it back outside, to help meet my trail riding goal. Once Shy is relaxed and more confident of herself, it will be my turn to get into the saddle!