The Cliffhanger

December 4, 2019Posted inFancy
Our first real trailride produced some amazing pictures taken by fellow riders. When the trailride was over, the light was perfect for pictures. Riders think if they live through the ride, it's a done deal. I am alive. I learned that a trailride isn't over when one arrives alive back at the trailer. "Hang On" for the story! The Rock Island Trail exists very close to where I live in the Kansas City area. It's an extension of the Katy Trail. These trails are abandoned railroad tracks that have been…

Backing Up Back Story

November 26, 2019Posted inFancy
Backing? You want me to back? sigh... My wonderful friend loaned me a horse so I could ride while my own horse was recovering from stifle, later diagnosed as EPM. She came with past problems, but she was rideable. I needed a horse to ride. Winter depression sets in when you are a crazy horse woman without a rideable horse. Plus there is the sadness seeing your beloved horse with a limp. Fancy came into my life. I got her and took her home. A few days later I took…

Hell of a Lead

November 25, 2019Posted inFancy
November 25, 2019 Group Lesson under the direction of Erin Patterson Cloverleaf pattern with poles in a small arena is hell with a fast cantering horse. The turns are very tight and then there are those nasty poles in the way. It takes some nimble foot work to accomplish this pattern at a fast canter. Fancy has yet to perfect a slow canter. Why go slow when you can go fast. That is also my guiding light life principle. Fancy and I are so alike. sigh Fancy is suspicious of…

Best Group Lesson Ever

November 21, 2019Posted inFancy, Flying Change, Missouri Fox Trotter
Quote of the day: “I can no longer tell people watching Fancy and I ride that Fancy was ruined at her colt start.”  No one would believe me.   Highlight words from Erin Patterson during the group lesson of November 20th, 2019: “That fox trot is perfect!” “Look, she isn’t arguing!” “Hey!  Fancy looks like a Performance Horse!”  (I apologized). While Fancy was doing a flat foot walk leg yield diagonally the long way of the arena Erin pronounced:  “That is excellent. Look, her ears are flopping!”  (That is wonderful for a Fox Trotter gait…

Cisco and EPM – Stage One 2/8/2018

November 11, 2019Posted inCISCO, EPM
My horse Cisco was diagnosed with EPM not too long ago.  All 2017, we thought he had a stifle problem.  We were watching his back toes drag and first a limp on one back leg and then both legs.  During this time, I also became sick with internal bleeding.  My recovery surgery was a great success, but my body was weakened.  Cisco and I both needed rehab.  Cisco improved greatly in the summer and we started riding at James A Reed, short to longer distances.  It was going great.  However, he was nervous on the trek away…