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…

Cisco EPM Story- Stage 2

November 11, 2019Posted inCISCO, EPM
Cisco EPM Great News on the Cisco health story. Cisco visited Dr. Randy Huenfield on Monday, 7/23/18. Dr. Randy was very pleased. Cisco was in better physical shape than was expected. Cisco did not need any acupuncture treatment. All his points were clear. We had some minor chiro adjustment what you would expect from a well horse. One day of rest and I rode him. There are muscles in his hind leg that are weaker. The EPM affects rear end muscles normally used, so other muscles have to compensate. That…

Rescue Volunteer

November 7, 2019Posted inMiscellaneous
I was a rescue volunteer for wrecked truck towing a trailer with one horse inside.   Car driver put on turn signal about a minute before he braked and slowed down.  Truck and trailer behind could not stop.  I probably drove by about 5 minutes after the wreck.  I beat the emergency responders.  Glass and broken stuff all over the road. I was on my way to ride Fancy.  Instead I stopped and asked if a trailer was needed for his horse.  He hesitated, looked at me in my bright yellow Parelli sweatshirt with a huge horse…