monday musings by shyloh #135

I got all geared up in my fly mask, muzzle, and halter. I know what that means. . .

alien pony

Grass! Me and the big horses went to the back pasture to enjoy the cool breeze, the sun, and  grass. On the way out, I did get to enjoy some mulberries from the many mulberry trees that line the driveway back to the pasture. 

First things first when getting released. . .try to get the muzzle off so I can inhale grass at Haflinger speed. But Allie has gotten hip and puts the halter over all the fly mask and muzzle to keep it on. Boo. 

Be off, you food restricting demon!

Once I resigned to eating grass at a super slow pace and bobbing my head up and down to get the blades in the little hole, I was fine. At least I wasn't the only horse that was silly looking. . .

Hee hee

I also got to finally hang out with my big horse friends. I like them most and usually stand at the gate between the pastures longing to be with them (or their round bale). So I was a happy happy horse!

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #134

I am not feeling particularly inspired lately. . .

Here is me taking my frustration out on Allie's hoodie.

Stupid hoodie, it's too hot for you anyway.

And why are there no treats in the pocket?

Bo-ring!

And that is pretty much life right now. I did not take part in the barn door removal and escape while no one was home like the big horses. I did not bust open the gate to my pasture and take the two leggers on a chase through the grass like my minions. 

The only exciting thing going on is Allie's giveaway of a halter bridle, just like mine! So if you want to be cool like me, enter the giveaway! Share it, like it, post it, tweet it, comment on it, whatever. Just enter it!

Halter Bridle Giveaway!

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #133

One of my most favorite things to do (besides eat and nap) is be a good pony for the kids and help them learn to ride. Lily is excelling in her riding skills. This time, instead of just going around in circles, Lily worked on steering me. 

We did some different cones patterns and turning exercises. I had fun. And I like to do other things than just walk in circles. Think about it. . .just walking in circles is like a two legger just walking on a treadmill. Boring!

Working cones

Then Tommy rode me. I gave him a little bit of a harder time. He mostly just sits, so I thought it was time he did some work up there. If he didn't tell me where to go, I went where I wanted. But he worked on stop and go and I was good for him with that.

Just riding

Next I got my real workout by Alison. We did lots of slow trotting and making me use my muscles. I feel stronger already. She really makes me think and concentrate. I like it!

My super concentrating ears, halfway between back and forward

Last Allie rode. She is getting much better and more comfortable, which makes me more comfortable. She is getting better at not letting me get away with stuff. . .still has far to go, but getting better. Allie even was okay after I spooked a bit (and broke the new rule of no cantering in the round pen, even if it was only a couple steps). I think Allie has some hope in her yet.

After all that work, I looked like this:

Sweaty!

But at least I got to graze without my Hannibal Lector mask for a little bit! Totally worth it! 

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #131

Just one of the many many reasons that Allie should not own a horse. . . 

and in case that is not clear enough, here is a close up. . .

Really Allie? Why must you torture me so? Although, I think I do like it a little bit. 

Just a little bit. It is sparkly and kinda pretty. Right?

Eh, who am I kidding? I love it!

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #130

I went on a trip this weekend! I do really love going on trips. It is fun to get out and see the world.

Ready to go!

We went to my most favorite place, Harry Hughes in Ohio, for a clinic. Allie worked on some braiding and showmanship with me. Then she used Meatball for the driving portion. I think I am just not cut out to be a driving horse, it makes my heart beat super fast just seeing carts now. And Meatball does have so much fun with it. He would make a good CDE pony! He loves to go fast and can cut a sharp turn.

Cody was making Meatball drift!

But while we were down there, Allie did go for a ride! In the open! I was having fun and being a brat. 

Showmanship session

I got to ride down with the minions and all the other big horses went together in the big trailer. When Allie started riding me, she took me between two trailers. It was a little scary at first and I started breathing quick, but when I got to the end of the trailers, I saw Isaac! And I just wanted to stand next to him.  But Allie kept me going, even with my protests. Then I saw Notch, Clutch, and Reba with a perfect Haflinger sized space in between Reba and Notch. And I knew that was were I needed to be. I tried everything in my power to get into that spot.

Haley and Mary the big Haflinger

Allie was getting upset with me because I was using my awesome bending abilities to keep my head where she wanted, but move my back end where I wanted. Even once we got walking away, I showed Allie how well I could side pass. I really didn't want to leave my friends!

Riding!

We did a couple more laps around the trailers with me putting up a fight every time we passed my friends. But I have to say, Allie did win, even though it made her uncomfortable and a hunched over mess. And even though we fought, she says I did good because I didn't freak out and run away or even scoot. Allie says there is hope for me yet. . .the jury is still out on hope for her though!

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #129

Sometimes, when I do new things, I am able to channel my inner Arabian. . .

Flared nostrils!

Creeks don't bother me though

Like when I am taken on a bareback ride to the back fields. In a pretty headstall that is not mine. With a bit I have never used before. 

It's so purdy

Haley wanted to hop on a horse real quick and I was the perfect mount because I am close to the ground. She is much braver than Allie as she rode me outside the confines of the round pen. I was a little bit like, uh, I am not used to this but I will try extra hard to be good for you, even if I am a bit scared. I did a couple quick steps a few time from being scared, but over all I was good. I really do try so hard. But with someone riding, I have to be extra careful to care care of them and it can be nerve-wracking!

I am much more relaxed here and looking quite cute, if I say so myself

Another day, Allie walked me back to the same area. You know, the back fields where I have been many times before. A new, giant pasture is up there and almost ready for horses! Allie let me roam about it because I don't bother fences and the electric wasn't on yet.

That is a lot of space for us!! I tested out the new pasture to the fullest.

First, I ran about it checking things out. 

Lots of room to stretch my legs, and I even got out a buck!

Then I rolled to make sure it was acceptable rolling ground.

Works for me!

And finally, I tasted the grass it had to offer.

Sparse, but tasty!

Also, my tail is gorgeous!

Then I made Allie chase me around because I didn't want to leave! The new pasture is Shyloh approved! Two hooves up!

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #128

I didn't see Allie all weekend and what does she do when she finally decided to show up?

I was a little upset that I was not visited all weekend. 

Work me! I even sweated! Apparently she got this idea from all the fit Haflingers she saw that were not me over the weekend. Rude.

See sweat? 

But, after my workout, guess who came home?

See him over there eating hay? He grew!!

I am so happy that he is home, but I suspect Jaime is even happier! And almost as good as Isaac coming home is this. . .

Grass! The grass is up!

So even though I had to do so much work I got sweaty, I also got to eat some grass! That is what makes a Haflnger most happy!

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #127

Hmmm. . .What do we have here?

Hee hee, it's my bag, which usually has really good treats in it!

 Let me dig around and see if I can find anything good. . .

 Let's give this bag a little shake. . .

 What did I get out of it?

 Just my hair brush, booo!!

No treats this time. Maybe Allie has learned not to keep treats in my bag, where this nosy Haflinger is bound to dig at every chance she gets?

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #126

You know what is better than a nap?

ah. . .the life!

A nap in a bed of hay, under the sun, with your favorite minions, with leftover hay still in our mouth.

zzzzzzzzzzzz

Yeah, nothing is better than that!

Clutch and Notch nap time

Reba nap time

You know what is not so fun? Getting woke up from my most awesome in the hay, under the sun, minion loving, hay tasting nap to go for a super short bareback jaunt.

~Shyloh

monday musings by shyloh #125

I am not entirely sure if anyone else was wondering about Dexter the way that I was when we all found out that he was way younger than we were told last week. . .My biggest concern was that I hoped he was who he said he was (a gelding), since he gets great joy out of doing this. . .

not attractive. . .

He tries to get me too, but I am so not into the little guys. I like big guys like Isaac and Traveller and Chick. 

Terry and Jaime both checked for little horse testicles, and felt none. Terry felt the scar from being gelded. Sweet relief!! Now I can resume my normal play with the minions and continue trying to see how far I can toss them across the pasture. 

Goofy guy!

Allie pretty much ignored me all weekend long to do other things, but I didn't mind. I got to hang out with my round bale. 

hay coma. . .

And between the super muddy conditions one day to the frozen ground the next, doing too much was near impossible, even though that did not stop Meatball, Clutch, and Reba from doing fun stuff.

While Allie had a super busy weekend, mine was fulfilling (in the hay in my belly way) and quite relaxed. Hope everyone else out there had a nice weekend!

~Shyloh