attached at the hip

Well, the move is over. It went smooth, which was nice. Both horses loaded right up into the trailer and away we went. Leaving was sad, but for a variety of reason I am happy to be back at the other barn. Being closer, on the way home from work, being able to continue my lessons on Reba, and having Lily partial lease Shyloh make the move worth it. 

Travel time!

Shy is pretty great about taking everything in stride. She doesn't get worked up by new places or old-new places. She stepped off the trailer, like whatever. Reba however. . .well, Reba had to make a grand entrance. We opened the trailer and Reba began backing out, while she was still tied to it. That didn't stop her, she busted through her halter and fell backwards. We have arrived!!

Checking out the new digs.

Once we got the horses into their new pasture, Shy rolled first thing. Then she began searching for grass. Reba followed her around like a lost puppy. Shy took to the woods up front and began running around. Traveller was being led out of the pasture and it was clear that they remembered each other. Reba was not down with this and got in between them. Traveller kicked out and Reba kicked back. It was instant hate and they continued kicking each other. Yikes! Shy was off running around the woods and Traveller went to follow her. Terry got Reba and Traveller's new owner tried to catch him, but he was off running with my wild pony. Finally, he was caught and led out. Reba was at peace.

Shy decided it was time to run out into the back of the pasture, with Reba close behind. Shy took her through more woods and they met up with the two Arabs and Quarter horse that are their new pasture mates. There was a small amount of squeals, but nothing like up front. The only scuffle was when Kota reared up on Reba and she reared a little bit and chest bumped him and he fell backwards. 

The herd. Shyloh, Reba, Kota, Ranger, Prince (order from front to back)

It was funny to see. Shy was just doing whatever she wanted and Reba was her bodyguard, not letting the other horses get too close to her. But at the same time, Reba would not leave her side. Every step Shy took, Reba took a step, too. It was a far cry from the first time I brought Shy to this barn. Shy was miss independent today and Reba was her tag-a-long. 

Bodyguard

Me and Terry stayed a while, just watching the horses settle in. They ran around, came up front for water, and went back out back to graze. It was funny to watch Shy trot through the pasture and the woods. . . Shy could clear branches that Reba had to seriously duck under. And since Reba would not stop following Shy, duck under those branches she did!

Coming through the woods. Looks like Reba is leading, but her strides are just bigger.

Every turn Shy made, Reba was right there with her.

Reba and Shy are the only mares in with the three geldings. Should be fun to watch the herd develop. 

big clinic day!

Today was the big day! And, whew, am I exhausted! Me and Shyloh, along with Jaime and Kyle, Notch and Clutch, went to a draft horse/driving clinic in Ohio. My third weekend in a row spent in Ohio. . . We were a little late and missed the braiding part, but I learned a ton of other things. And everyone there was so nice and helpful! Plus, there were lots of Halfingers!

Waiting for the Pony Express to take us to the clinic!

First, the bad news. . .I am pretty sure Shy broke my pinky toe. It is swollen and bruised and hurts. I never realized how much we depend on that toe, I always thought I could do without it. We started the day with her stepping on my foot and I just knew that was going to be the bad omen for the day.

Now, the good news. No. . .great news! Shyloh was amazingly awesome at the clinic! She was on her very best behavior. She marched right on the trailer and dug into her hay bag. She had no problem being in the tight space that was reserved for her in the trailer. Then we went to pick up the big boys from their barn. Again, Shy had no problem with a giant Percheron and humongous Clydesdale right next to her.

All she needs is some hay and she is happy as a Haffie can be.

Big horse, little horse

A little over an hour in the trailer and we were at the Harry Hughes Youth Equestrian Center. It was a nice place!. They had a large outdoor arena, a smaller outdoor arena, lots of grassy areas, places to park trailers, and trails. Shy hopped off that trailer like, Hello!! I am here! Being in a completely new place with new people and new horses did not phase her at all. I tied her to the trailer and she just stood there.

Does she have donkey sized ears or what?

Oh, delicious hay. This is not bad at all!

Then it was time for the Showmanship part of the clinic. We had to stand in line, then when one person went, we had to back up the horse and move down the line until it was out turn. Shy was a backing up champion and stood like a pro. She was not fidgety at all. 

Waiting for our turn!

Then we did a walk/trot/golf club pattern. I had to learn how to stand Shy so the pretend judge could walk around her. They had to explain everything to me, I knew nothing. But Shy was excellent!

Kyle and Clutch

Jaime and Notch

Next, we harnessed up the horses and did some line driving in a figure eight around the cones. We kinda fell apart here, but we got some much needed assistance! I need to be sterner with Shy.After that, we were line driving all over the place and even did a small obstacle course! She was a little butt clenchy, but got over that pretty quickly.

Jaime and Kyle hooked Notch and Clutch to their carts and they drove around the arena while we practiced line driving outside the arena. We stopped to watch the Haflingers, Gypsy Vanners, mini horse, and a few other horses trot and walk around the arena. Shy was very interested in all of them. How cool is this:

Jaime and Notch

Kyle and Clutch

And, of course, Shy cannot go anywhere without a gelding falling in love with her. She met Rambo, who was cast under her spell. Aren't they cute together?!

They were kissing each other!

Today has led me to a couple conclusions:

• Shy likes to travel. She was totally fine with everything that went on today. She was so calm and at ease all day.
• We might have been convinced to do some in hand shows in this circuit! We had fun!
• If I think Shy will act up, she is an angel. When I think she is going to be good, she is not. So I will be thinking the worst from now on and have myself a perfect little pony!

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!

glitch in the plans. . .

The horse with no name is not coming home today.  Sad face. . .There was some kind of mess up with her Coggins test, so the lady I bought her from will be bringing her here next week. This lady also tried to screw me by making me pay for wolf tooth extraction. That was not part of our deal. Okay. . .well I was going to pay (I don't know any better!) but Robin stepped in and handled that business! Good thing for good friends; being an adult is not one of my strong suits!

Since we had people and a trailer all lined up for today, we are going to use them. They will be moving Ryleigh to the new barn! Well, I hope with all my heart they will be moving him. Ryleigh has a fear about trailers and there was a horrible experience a few weeks ago trying to get him on one. . .and it did not work. But today we have professionals and drugs! I am hoping for the best!! I will write more after we do this. . .

UPDATE!!

Ryleigh got on the trailer in 10 minutes! It was amazing! Leslie, Doc's husband, Terry, and Rob did a great job! We moved him and got him all situated at the new barn. Two other horses moved in that day, Resy and Captain Morgan. We let them adjust while everything got moved in to the new barn. It takes a lot to move horses and all the stuff they need. I am exhausted!

After most of the stuff was moved, Robin took Ryleigh in the arena and let him run. He explored the whole arena, even the corners, and was poking his head out of the arena doors. Kathy did the same thing with Captain Morgan. We also met some of the boarders at the new barn. Everyone is really nice! Now I just have to wait for the horse with no name to show up!