bareback pad disaster

It finally came! 

My bareback pad! 

I was so excited to get my package the day before Christmas; it had been on back order for weeks. It had stirrups that I could remove if I did not want to use them. It was blue. It seemed perfect for my needs. 

Simple, like this bareback pad, but blue

I got to the barn Monday to feed and muck stalls. I patiently waited all day to try this new thing on Shyloh. By the time I got done with everything, the barn was busy! But, being so excited to try this new piece of "tack", I moved forward. I groomed Shy because she was a little muddy from being outside. I put the pad on. Hmmm. . .what was this odd buckle contraption?  I could not figure it out, so I called in reinforcements. Kathy also had difficulty figuring out how to secure the buckle. Finally, I got it. . . sort of, kind of, maybe. 

The arena was busy! Notch was in there doing showmanship type stuff with Jaime, Dannon was being lunged, and someone was shooting guns nearby. Remy was getting tacked up to come into the arena, too. There was a lot going on, and I usually ride by myself. In fact, I've only ever rode with another person once. But, my enthusiasm to use this bareback pad persevered. 

I knew I would have to get on and off Shyloh a few time to adjust the stirrups to the correct length. We walked up to the mounting block. I swung a leg over. . .and I was stuck. The mounting block isn't tall enough for me to sit down on Shy, I have to swing myself over. If I got on like normal, the saddle pad would re-adjust itself crooked. So, I stood there, with one leg swung over Shy's back and the other leg on the mounting block, wondering what I should do. 

Shyloh decided for me as she walked off! I hung on for dear life (because a drop from 13.3hh is soooo far), while half hanging on the side of her until she stopped. It seemed like forever, but in reality it was probably only a few steps. I slid off of her and checked everything out. Apparently my sort of, kind of, maybe girth adjustment was not right. The pad was massively off-center. . .I fixed it, I think, then started over. 

This time I got on Shy but the stirrups were way to long. I got off and adjusted. I got back on. Too short. I got off. Adjusted. Got back on. One stirrup was decent , but the other was way off. By now, I was annoyed, so I threw the saddle pad over the arena wall (and I may or may not have been cussing at it), and hopped on Shy like I always do. We did a few laps around the arena. 

Shy was great, even with all the commotion! She stopped frequently to check things out. If a giant horse was running in my direction, I might stop and let him pass, too . . .just to be safe. She listened perfectly, even though I could tell she wanted to GO! She was very forward and at one point almost broke out into a trot. Whew. . . I am not ready to trot bareback. My balance is not there, yet! Soon I dismounted and led Shy back to her stall. Even though we had a short ride, it was a good ride. Better to be short and successful than to push her and have something unfortunate happen.

While I was getting that d@#ned bareback pad from the arena wall,  Shy thought she deserved a something delicious and sugary for her good behavior, and took it upon herself to provide herself with a treat. 

Jackpot!!

Notice the destroyed SweetTart box. . .

Maybe it was not a terrible disaster. . .It could have been much worse. But I was very disappointed with the bareback pad. I will work on it and try to figure out this buckle and attempt again.

And news in the Shyloh trust and progress department! I thought that since Shy was going back outside, she would return to her wild self, refusing to come inside, and everything else that she used to do.

Wrong!

I went to go get her and Ryleigh today from outside. Ryleigh was a gentleman, as always, but Shyloh thought it would be fun to play her signature game, Catch Me If You Can. I did, for a minute, then just took Ryleigh inside. As soon as we were out of the gate, Shy trotted up to the gate. She was still there waiting when I went back out to get her. She saw me and nickered! Then she flung her head a few times. I went in the gate and she trotted away, but I called her and she trotted back to me! First time ever! That and the nicker she gave me made my day!

monday musings by shyloh #17

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! I know I did! Allie and aunt Kathy let me and Casi, and then me and Ryleigh go outside on Christmas Eve! Most pastures are still muddy and some have ice spots, but the small one was okay, so that is where we went. We didn't go crazy or anything like some of the big TBs might go, we just stuck our heads right down and got to business. . .grazing!

nom nom nom. . .grass is good!

We got to go outside today, too!  It was so nice to have the cool breeze and sun on our backs. I just loved it! I must say that I am glad I have a stall. I stay clean, but most importantly dry. My old paddock is still flooded and so muddy. I feel bad for poor Notch out there! But the mud only goes to his pasterns, where if I was out there it would probably go up to my stifles!

Allie took a ride on me the other day and set up a little obstacle course for us to do. Because we did this so so many times before she started riding me, I was a pro! I went right through it without a problem. Around, through, and over. Easy as pie!

Beginner's obstacle course

Although, while I was doing the obstacle course, Beth decided it was time for dinner! I saw her walking down the aisle with the hay wagon and throw my dinner hay in my stall . . .I was so  torn! Allie was telling me to go one way (which was away from the door, my stall, and my hay), but I wanted to go another way(toward the door, my stall, and my hay). I tried to compromise. . .I faced the way Allie was directing me to go, but I made my legs move another way, towards my stall. I can do quite the fancy footwork when I want to!  But, I was unsuccessful and I had to do the obstacle course one last time. Then Allie let me eat!

Am I too young to start shaving my legs? They are pretty hairy. . .

Allie taught me to play ball. Her version of ball is to kick toward me and then I run away snorting and sometimes bucking. It really is fun and I am not really afraid of the ball! Then we tried to another ball game, roll the ball back and forth. Allie would push it toward me and I would push it back!  

I'm cute!

Another fun thing to do is play with Casi. I get him to chase me, then throw side bucks out at him! Casi thinks this is so much fun, too, because he does the same thing! I only try my hardest to play and be extra goofy when Allie isn't looking. I need her to think that I am a serious horse. So, if I am in my stall playing with my Lick-It or Jolly Ball, as soon as I see Allie, I stop. And when I play with Casi, it is usually when Allie is not around. But I got word that Aunt Kathy told on me and Casi the other day. . .and I think Allie was spying on us from out a window today while we were playing. I need to watch myself! I really need to keep up my "serious" horse demeanor. I cannot be confused for one of those silly mini horses or ponies just because I am vertically challanged! 

Time to eat my dinner hay. . .I'll let Allie tell you all about the wreck that was the bareback saddle pad another time. . .

~Shyloh

merry christmas!

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the stable

Not a pony was stirring, to sleepy to be able.
The stockings were hung by the arena with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The horses were nestled all snug in their stalls,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in the halls.
And Casi in his blanket, and Ry in his vest,
Had just settled in for a long winter’s rest.

When out on the pasture there arose such a clatter,
Shyloh sprang from the sawdust to see what was the matter.
Away from the window she spooked like a ghost,
Tore open the stall door and ran to the fence post.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen rain
Gave the luster of mud to paddocks again.
When, what to Shy's wondering eyes should a-springer,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny Haflingers.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
Shy knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his Haffies they came,
And he clucked, and he kissed, and he called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the arena! to the top of the wall!
Now trot away! Trot away! Trot away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the barn-top the Haffies they flew,
With the sleigh full of carrots, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, Shy heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each Haffie hoof.
As Shy drew in her head, and was turning around,
Down to the barn St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his croup,
And his clothes were all tarnished with sawdust and poop.
A bundle of hay he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl of apple jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And Shy snorted when she saw him, in spite of herself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave Shy to know she had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his head,
And giving a nod, to the arena he fled!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a cluck,
And away they all flew each giving a buck.
But Shy heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

~Adapted by Allison from Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston

a day off?

I had taken the day off of working my day job. . .only to spend the day mucking stalls! And it took longer to feed and clean than it does to work my day job. But I didn't mind, I got to spend all day with the horses. I was being pokey with cleaning and I kept going over to Shyloh's stall to love on her and her new cuddly self. 

It is unseasonably warm this year. It almost makes me afraid that winter will last long into April or May. I hope not! Since it down poured today (once again) the horses still cannot go outside. I do have to say that they are doing incredibly well for being stuck inside for so long. I know when the stalls are cleaned, they all get a turn to run around in the arena, either by themselves or in pairs. And Robin, Kathy, and I take turns when we are at the barn to make sure our horses get some time in the arena. 

Because it was so nice and I was really hot from working, I opened Resy's half door for him to get some fresh air. He was so happy! 

So then Remi decided he wanted his open, and somehow opened it himself! Smart boy!

I opened Shyloh's window and she just stood in front of it, forelock blowing in the wind. I can't wait for this land to dry up so they can all go back outside again! I also opened Casi's for him and he seemed to really enjoy it, as well.

Whoosh. . .loving the fresh air!

After mucking, Kathy and I went on a short bareback ride on Shyloh and Casi! This is the first time I have ridden Shy with another horse in the arena. And once again, she was amazing! I am in awe with how great Shy is when I am on her back. The wind was blowing pretty strong, and when it blows again aluminum (or whatever the barn is made of) it makes a terrible noise. Some horses spook at this noise. I made sure to keep myself relaxed and Shy did not have a problem. Jaime was also right outside the arena clipping off poor Clutch's feathers. He has an infection from the mud and wetness and his Clydesdale hair. He was outside because he is pasture boarded, but he will be staying inside, at least until he heals. Anyway, Shy was fine with all this stuff going on.

When Kathy and I were riding and Shy was following Casi, she kept a nice pace. Shy even led for a little bit. And every time I lost balance, even a little, she stopped. But, my balance improves every time I ride and I am able to keep a rhythm with her gait. 

To top the night off, Shy let Kathy ride on her bareback! Kathy said she was very comfy. I am so glad that Shy had a good experience with someone else on her back. Now, I am itching to ride again. . .I can't wait a whole week before my next ride!

Such a good girl!

monday musings by shyloh #16

I've been tortured this weekend! Forced to do things against my will! Made to look a fool!  Participated in activities beyond my level of well-being! I have suffered agonizing humiliation! I have become a patsy for the holidays! A schmuck in a costume! A  ridiculous mockery of the Christmas spirit. Okay. . .enough, but I do have evidence of said torture, as seen below. . .

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Has Allie not learned from the Halloween incident? Are the remaining pink strands of hair in my luscious mane still visible? Yes they are. I don't think she understands that I prefer to NOT be spray painted/dressed up. I mean, do I look happy In Exhibit A or B? I think not.

But, if you did notice from the photos, there is something around my neck. What is that, you ask? It's my early Christmas present from Allie. So if dressing up in silly hats or antlers gets me presents, I guess I will suffer through said torture. It would be much more enjoyable if the presents were edible, though. But, Allie was very excited to give them to me and my friends, Ryleigh and Casi. They are rhythm beads, with a matching tail and mane piece! Allie made them all by herself! They are for when we go trail riding. Not only will I look amazingly cute, but I will be able to keep rhythm to the bells, and the bells will warn other wildlife (because I AM a wild pony) that we are coming and they will get out of the way so I don't spook. 

Modeling my new bling! I should be on the cover of  Horse Illustrated .

Allie put a turtle on my necklace because she said I am shy like a turtle who wants to go in its shell, and we are taking things slow and steady like a turtle! It's cute, I have to say, even though I was a little bit unsure about the bells at first. But I got used to them real quick and kept my new presents on all day. I didn't even try to eat them!

I also got to go back in my stall. I had been borrowing a stall because mine flooded. But I am glad to be back at mine and back in the action, although I will miss being by Casi. Another good thing about being back in my stall. . .it is decorated for Christmas!

Can you see me?

I am getting real used to Allie and much more comfortable with her. I can tell she likes this. I tried to play with her by giving her a nip on the arm, but she did not like that. I guess I will have to find other ways to play. But I am realizing that she will keep coming back for me and will make sure that I am taken care of always. So I guess I will have to take it kinds easy on Allie. . .maybe.

But, you know. . .I can't let my Haflinger ancestry down, so I must continue to find escape routes to look for more food! Gotta keep my priorities straight!

~Shyloh