relatively relaxing weekend

Fuzz butt!

If this a precursor of how cold our winter will be, I think I'll be moving soon. I can take the cold, just not the bitter wind! This weekend was definitely not as packed as my previous weekends, but we worked on getting the fencing up for the back pasture and just hanging with the ponies.

Dragging corner posts with tractors and four wheelers

I have been sitting bareback on Shyloh lately. Just sitting and not asking her to do anything. I figure that this is a way to get us both used to each other. I have not sat on her in a while and when I do, I tense up because tends to scoot. The scoots are a bit scary because I don't have the best balance and me and Shy go in the cycle of she is nervous so I am nervous so she is nervous. . .

Always ears back on me, waiting for me to ask  her something

The just sitting and not asking anything of her lets me relax and work on unfurling from a fetal position and lets her breathe and relax as well. Shy tends to hold her breath until she relaxes. The just sitting has been going really well. Shy relaxes much quicker and lets me hop right up without evading the bucket that I use. She actually has been doing really well, no spooks, even with crazy cats making all kinds of noises and wind howling at the barn. 

Smelling my Muck boot

Except for the other day. She kept stepping away from the bucket and I kept trying to get on. Finally, she stood, I almost hopped on and off she went! She didn't get far and I was hanging off the side of her until she stopped and I slid off. I reprimanded her and she looked at me, then put her ear to my chest. It was a strange gesture. I told Shy, hear that? You made my heart beat fast. She kept her head there for a minute before moving on with her life. Shy is not a touchy, lovable horse so it was an oddly moving moment. 

Aww, she can be sweet. . .

I did end up getting back on her and she was totally fine. I did a lot of moving around and wiggling, just to get her used to that. There was a time when the creak of the saddle would send her scooting forward. She is so much better now. I think we are ready to get to riding.

Not down with the idea of working

I put a Stall Snack up in her stall to keep her entertained when she gets done with her hay. She is only in there for a few hours overnight, but, I figured why not?

Mmmmm, peppermint

We hung out in the barn and Shy was very in my face looking for treats. It's nice to relax and not do anything. I stayed as long as I could before I decided it was time to go home and work on a paper for school that is due tomorrow. So glad this is a short week! More pony time!

Can hardly separate these two!

Oh yeah, and don't forget about my giveaway!