our commercial moment blog hop

Another fun blog hop from L. at Viva Carlos!

What are you buying next? Not your "Wish I could" list but your actual practical pony shopping list. And if its a high ticket item you are saving for what is it and when do you expect to order/get it?

Since Equine Affaire is the weekend (yay!!!), I have a short list of stuff I want to find there:

• Teal saddle blanket for showing (having hard time finding one that is not huge for my short backed Haffie)
• Saddle pad (just bought one for $5 at a tack sale, but will be on the lookout for another)
• Dark leather reins
• Possibly a new dark leather bridle

Some other things I need and should probably get soon:

• Fly spray
• Vet wrap
• Treats (always)
• Coconut oil
• HIgher Standards Leather Soap and Conditioner (I just can't decide on the scent!)
• Mrs. Conn's Sponges. I want to try these. Seems so simple!

Boring, right? I just made a big purchase of my awesome saddle that I love, so I don't think any more large purchases are in order quite yet. 

Shyloh is not impressed

monday musings by shyloh #121

Um. . .Allie, what is this?

I am not sure I like what I am seeing. . .

I must inspect it closer.

Does it taste as good as it looks?

Not really. . . 

So, what do you except that we will be doing with this? Wait, before you get any ideas, don't you think I should try it on?

Okay, looks like it fits. Looks like it fits pretty good. 

What does this mean for us? I am almost afraid to ask! But, I do admit, I look pretty darn cute all decked up!

Guess we have a new saddle! I am hoping for some fun times, but not too much work. Allie needs to punch some holes in the breastcollar to make it fit, and get a cool looking square saddle pad that fits, then we are all set. Looks pretty nice and it is a Circle Y! I am one stylin' pony!

~Shyloh

new-ness

I got a few new things I wanted to share. Thanks to the creativity of others and the awesomeness of the internet, blogging, and Facebook, I have received some very cool tings recently.

The first is from Josie's Curiosities, who makes custom, hand stamped jewelry and other stuff. I discovered her on the American Haflinger Registry group page through Facebook. I ordered Shyloh a cute bridle tag. 

I also got some for Jaime and Kyle's big guys, and Kathy's horse. I think they are real cute! I just need to get a bigger circle thing to attach it to Shy's bridle or halter. 

The next thing is my prize watercolor of Shy from Kate over at The Adventures of Lucy. We won the horse shaming contest as the random winner. I could have chosen an amazing English saddle pad with a hand painted design on it, but we don't ride English. So, this is what we got instead:

I love it! I just need to find a really nice frame for it.

Another thing that Jaime and I got for a friend whose filly had to be put down was a sketch by Emily of The Art of Emily Dieleman. She is another person I met through the Haflinger group on Facebook. She did a beautiful sketch of the Gypsy Vanner,  Eibhleann. 

I love how Emily was able to capture all her fuzziness! 

Up next is my new tack. Shy got her farm harness. We had to make a bunch of adjustments for my off shaped horse, but we got it to fit. I got a great deal on this harness. I might need to get a new saddle piece, but what she has works for now. She is looking good!

And we got a saddle! 

I need to punch some holes to shorten the stirrups, but aside from that this saddle will do the job. Jaime's aunt found this saddle for a steal. 

I also got myself a new helmet that fits my head. My other helmet was a tad big. And I think that is it for new things going on in my world. Anyone else get anything new?

new harness!

A friend who knew I was tentatively searching for a work harness sent me over a Craiglist ad last week. It showed a never used work harness that looked really cute. And had an unbelievable price. After emailing back and forth all week, I headed out to this place to pick up my new harness and collar. 

Hurrr. . . new stuff!!

Turns out that this was Pretty Pony Pastures, a therapeutic riding barn that uses all Haflingers! And a place that I had volunteered at once, way back when I first got Shyloh. 

But before I headed out there, I had to run to the barn for a farrier appointment for Shy. Of course, since I was rushing the clock, Shy was way out back and had no intention of taking one step in my direction to give me a break. I was so rushed, I forgot her halter and lead rope and I had to borrow one on the fly from someone who had their horse in a grass pasture on my way out there. Once I got Shy, I ran us both back just in time for the farrier to have just pulled up. 

Shy got her trim and I asked my million questions, as usual. Her feet look real good, as usual. He assures me of this every time, but I am still a worry wart about her feet. 

Jaime went with me to this far away location to pick up the harness, a collar for Shy, and a collar for my friend. Driving through rush hour traffic in a particular densely populated area does not make me a happy person. But when we got off the freeway, we went through some really cool small towns and country area. And finally, we made it.

I picked up my harness and the collars when Jaime asked about the stand the harness was on. After measuring the stand and my car, then totally emptying out my car and rearranging it to fit the stand, we got everything crammed in. Jaime kept hitting her head on the collar rack that was practically in the front seat. And I couldn't see out the back of my car. Leave it to Jaime to get an awesome deal on something. She is the best at that. When we repacked the car, I almost left out the harness I came all the way out to  get. . .oops! I was also offered a free practice cart, which I might actually go back and pick up. We did contemplate somehow attaching it to the roof of my car, but that never happened. 

Fully packed Mariner

The reason I needed (wanted) a new harness was that the different harness show in different classes. Shy's first harness was a breastcollar harness, which means that she would have to show in the pleasure classes. I don't know much about pleasure driving, but I do know it involved a variety of gaits that I have no idea how to get Shy to do. I am sure that there are other rules that I have no idea about, too. With the work or farm harness, which is the collar type, Shy can show in the draft class. There is only walk and trot in that class. No passing is allowed. It is so much simpler. 

Bridle and hames (not my pic)

Harness and harness rack that Jaime bought (not my pic)

Collars (not my pic)

I am going to take it down on Sunday to our clinic because I really do not know how to put on or fit this type of harness. That's why all I have are these Craigslist photos of the new harness. Have I mentioned that I am super excited for the clinic? On the way home, we stopped at Bass Pro Shops to look around. Can't pass that place without stopping!

monday musings by shyloh #61

Fashion Show!

Allie got me a few new things and I got to model them. Because I am a super fuzzy super model. And super cute. I don't think I am cut out to be a super model though. . .it gets super boring and I was falling asleep by the end of it. And it does not involve eating grass. 

1. 

New western bridle. It's cute and it fits just right. It has a knot thing right in the middle of the brow band, so there is a tiny bit of flair to this bridle. Brand new and a great deal!  Now I just need a matching breastcollar. . .and a saddle. . .nah, I don't need a saddle.

2.

English bridle! What?? Allie said she got a really good deal on this and could not pass it up. And it came with reins. It is a hunt bridle. I wonder what I will get to hunt in it? Hopefully hay! Allie was told it was cob sized, but its not. . .it just fits right on the smallest holes. I am so beautiful in this bridle, it's blinding and I have to close my eyes.

3.

Teal rope halter. Allie has never used a rope halter before, but she said for 8 bucks for the halter and lead, she couldn't pass it up! Now she just needs to figure out knots. . .knots are her weakness!

4.

Bell boots. Kinda cheap, but they have velcro to secure them. I promise they are not tight on my legs, I am just so fuzzy! I don't really need them, but they are good to have.

5. Polo wraps. Navy blue. Everyone knows what polo wraps look like and everyone knows what navy blue is. Allie was too lazy to wrap my legs. But polo wraps are good to have, too. 

6.

Cooler. (not bought at tack sales) I think it makes me look like a mini! But I will only be wearing this for a short time and only if I get sweaty. So probably never, since I rarely sweat. Although it was comfy and seemed to fit really well. I have to give Allie kudos on this since she have never bought any type of blanket before and didn't know what would fit me. Happily for me, I won't ever be turned out in this, could you imagine what my herd would think? I am already the smallest horse out there and this is not flattering to my height at all. 

7. Shipping boots. (also not bought at tack sales) Allie could not find any cob sized boots for a reasonable price. So she went with horse size. Eh. . .they are a little long. So Allie asked the lady who fixed the surcingle if she could cut some off and sew to the right length. The lady said yes, so Allie needs to get the measurements. 

I will soon be a fully loaded horse, minus a saddle. . .

Wormer smile!! Yeah, I got that, too. . .

~Shyloh

auction and tack sale

The Auction

Belgians. . .yearlings, two year olds, not broke, green broke, well broke, broke to machines, teams. . .all the Belgians you could ask for. . . .all the way from $500 to $25,000! That is what the auction had. Jaime was hoping to get a nice looking  Percheron to complete her team. But the only Percherons there were blind or lame or had an asbcessed tooth or warts on the nose or a dropped hip. Poor guys. I heard earlier in the week that they had Haflingers that were selling for $35! $35!!! So sad. They only had a couple Halfingers the day we went and they were not that good looking. And for some reason, their forelocks were clipped off. There was a good looking Belgian gelding who had real nice movement (and he knew it) that sold for $4,500. Overall, the auction was pretty sad and depressing and we didn't stay long.

But we did check out Shipshawana which is Indiana Amish country. That was fun!

Amish Parking

This buggy was very cool. The doors slide up! I think five people came out of this cart.

Jaime and Kyle checking out some nice Amish made chairs.

Super cool toy! The kid sits in the back and peddles and can steer the horse bike by the reins!

Want! It has an awning, the table gets bigger to eat, and it glides back and forth!! Only $1,300!

Giant 6 ft tall wind chimes

Puzzle toy alligator

Cutest Bulldog puppy! I wanted him, but he was $2,500! The Amish do not mess around!

Heard the clip clop of horse and buggies all over

The Tack Sale

Today was another early day. . .I got up early and Kathy, Jaime, Kyle, and I went to this tack sale that was advertised at the barn. We drove out there and. . .um, super creepy barn and lady. But she had some great deals and I actually bought a few things. Then we crossed over to Ohio (three states, three days?) and went to some tack stores down there. And I bought a few more things that Shy desperately needed. I took everything back to the barn and had Shy model them. That's when I discovered the bit I bought her is too small. Not overly small, but just a smidge. Ugh. It was the same size as the bit she was using, but a different maker. Lucky for me, Analeesa's owner had a french line snaffle O-ring in a 5 inch that she wasn't using and she gave it to me!

While tack shopping, I looked for some saddles and saw a few that caught my eye. . .

Do you think this will be comfortable on long trail rides?

Teal is cute, right? Comes with a matching bridle. . .

I actually did not see any saddles I really liked. I did sit in this amazing Circle Y saddle Jaime was considering. It felt so good to sit in a saddle, even if it was not on a horse's back. I want mike to build me a saddle holder so I can take my saddle to work and use it like a chair. . .I won't ever be able to put it on a horse, but I can still get some use out of it! And practice my saddle posture, too. I might hold off of on the saddle hunt and work on Shy's driving. Just a thought for now. . .

monday musings by shyloh #54

I got a few new things I wanted to share. 

The first is a new grooming bag. It is very cute! Allie got it from thirty-one and it has my name on it! Allie wanted to add Haflinger Extraordinaire (of course), but it would not fit. The bag is a nice size to carry all the tools that make me even prettier, with pockets on the outside, too. The inside looks like it will wipe down easily and Allie can probably throw it in the wash to keep it nice and clean.

What do you think?

Allie also ordered a dressage saddle pad from SmartPak. It was on sale and  I need my own. . .I was tired of borrowing one.  Of course it is blue and now we can work in style, since I can't seem to get out of work! 

It would be nice to get my name embroidered on the saddle pad, too. But soon enough it will be decorated in all the tiny chestnut hairs that I  am shedding. My coat is getting ready for winter! I am shedding another Haflinger baby, only this one is made of much shorter hairs. We shall call this one Tiny. 

Aside from a new shipment of the same supplements I get, I have no other new things. Allie would still like to get a bit for me (she is using a 4 3/4 inch french link snaffle) that we can call our own, since the snaffle is Beth's bit. Allie would also like a driving bit, but she is not sure what to get for that yet or what I will like. And a nice Western saddle pad is in our future. We am currently using Kathy's, when Allie does ride (which is like never anymore). That is about it for our list of need very soon things!

What new things have you recently gotten for your horse? What do you need or what would you like to get?

~Shyloh

shyloh gets something new!

Wow. I am absolutely amazed with Shyloh. She never ceases to astound me. As far as a non riding day goes, this day was perfect. I wish I could take credit for Shy and her awesomeness, but she came like that. 

I was going to look at something special for Shy today. We wanted to work on one of our goals and we needed the proper equipment. I thought I was going to go with just Jaime and Kyle (who own Notch and Clutch) to this guy who sells stuff at his home. But when I called the guy, it turned out he had a few of what I was looking for, and it was decided that Shy would come along for the ride.

So, I groomed her up to make her look all pretty. I can't have her going out of the barn  looking muddy and hopeless! She was a little upset because all her horse friends where going outside and she didn't understand why she had to stay inside. Jaime and Kyle arrived at the barn and hooked their trailer onto their truck. 

Now, I had no idea how Shy would react to being loaded into a trailer. She has not left the barn or been in a trailer since she arrived in July. I figured I might have to bribe/fight/drag/push/pull/or something to get her onto the trailer. 

Nope. Shy walked right up on that trailer without batting one of those long , blonde Haffie eyelashes. She never even thought twice about it, just stepped right up and started eating out of the hay bag! I was shocked! It was like she had been loaded four times a day every day since I got her. She keeps on surprising me!

We left and went to the guy's house, which was not too far away. There were two dogs as our welcoming committee and Shy just hopped right off the trailer. She looked around, did one grunt and was perfectly content. 

I looked at some things and the guy tried something on her. Again, Shy was perfect! She did not know this guy and he was all over her, fitting and adjusting and hooking up. She stood as still as a rock. Her manners were impeccable! Then the guy took her for a test drive. Literally.

TaDa!!

Here she comes. . .

Closer. . . 

Shy has a new harness!!

The guy teaches horses to drive and said Shy knows what she is doing! Doesn't she look good in her new gear?

It seems that she has at one point in her previous life been taught to drive. She had no problem with the blinders, the crupper, or any of the various lines or straps. They guy even has a cart for us that I want to go back and get one day. 

So, I bought the harness and even talked the guy down $100! Afterwards, Shy hopped right back up in the trailer and back home we went. Back at the barn, I hooked her back up in her harness to make sure I could do it and took her for a short ground drive around the arena. 

I am so excited for our new adventure! Jaime drives Notch and there are a lot of Haffie owners in Ohio that drive, which is less than 30 minutes from us. We might do some clinics so I can learn what I am doing. Fun times ahead for Shyloh and me! Damn, she looks good in that harness!

new things!

Oh my! The rain came down yesterday and re-flooded the almost dried up pastures. This was only a few hours worth of rain, too! Boo. Are we destined to live in a mud filled world? My jeans are never clean, my boots are always muddy, and my horse is very dirty!

They had to cross an ocean to get to the dry land. . .and grass

I got my order from Schneider's today! I put up the hay bag and it was a hit for Shyloh! Although, I am not sure it slowed down her hay intake much. The way she was chomping at that hay, I actually won't be surprised if I get to the barn tomorrow and the hay bag is destroyed. I don't need to use the tail bags yet.

I also attempted to use my new long lines. They are much longer than the ones I was borrowing so I have to deal with the extra hassle of the length. 

Not down with work today. . .

We definitely need another lesson, so I set one up with Beth. I need to get ready to ride and I need to get Shyloh ready to ride because I am asking for a saddle for Christmas! I want to be trail riding come summer time. But today, Shyloh was all over the place. We tried lunging and we were less than successful. 

No?

Then we tried the long lines. Again, I would not call it a successful attempt. 

Not this either?

I am hoping another lesson will help us get back on track so we can be one step closer to our goals. 

Barney the barn cat. He watched our whole cat-astrophe today.

I read this post from Kate over at A Year With Horses about the dangers of fall grass. Since Shyloh is an easy keeper, I have decided to keep her inside for tomorrow. And maybe for a couple days a week for a while, I'm not sure yet. All I know is I do not want her to founder! For some reason, it is a big fear of mine, even though she does not have a history that I know of or IR or Cushings and she does not get grain. As I have mentioned before, I prefer that she be outside almost always, but the only place where there is no grass is the big guy's (Percheron and Clydesdale) paddock. But having to spend the day inside trumps dealing with founder! Have any other Haflinger owners had an issues with their horses grass intake and/or founder?

Need your input, please!!