New Saddle has Passed the Test

April 27, 2017Posted inCountry Frank's Lucky Star, Parelli Saddle, Saddle fit
I bought a used 16 1/2" super wide Parelli Natural Performer via eBay. Last Sunday it passed the Cisco test. Today it passed the Lucky Star test. I tried to cinch it up tight enough so the saddle would stay on Lucky. When I mounted, it tipped a little,letting me know it might not be fully secure. But when I got balanced in the saddle and shifted my weight to each side, it felt secure. Off we went at a nice "trail walk" speed. I could feel those back legs…

Cisco and Lucky Own a New (Used) Saddle

April 23, 2017Posted inCISCO, Country Frank's Lucky Star, Missouri Fox Trotter
Sunday Clinic Day with Jennifer Vaught It was a most amazing time riding Cisco. Firstly, I asked for a bit of speed and he hollowed out his back and paced. We worked on that. Then he would go nicely until the corners where he paced. The first exercise Jenny had us do in the clinic today, involved a lot of walking and leg yielding. We were walking the long way down the middle of the arena when Cisco suddenly began walking faster with a huge long stride. Then he got…

Cisco’s First Trail Ride in Many Moons

April 21, 2017Posted inCISCO
Can it be that Cisco and I rode once on a trailride in the fall of 2016 and nothing since? The best thing to bring Cisco's legs back to health is good straight line riding. Amazing that the Rock Island hiking, biking and equestrian trail near my house was just completed. I haven't rode him in a month or so and we are going on a very short trail ride with 3 other riders. The equestrian parking is right next to an outdoor tree covered hoarder 1/2 acre like you…

Lucky- “A Four Mile Trailride Is NOT A Walk in the Park”

April 15, 2017Posted inCountry Frank's Lucky Star
Me - "But Lucky, it was a very short trail ride." Lucky - "How often have you walked 4 miles mom? Four miles carrying you is not a short trail ride. Take me home! Feed me!" Me - "Yes Lucky". (I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow for riding. Heh. Heh) Lucky Star - "A four mile trail ride is NOT a short ride! And why those other horses cantered around in the field at the end of the trail ride is just ridiculous. I could see the…

Just Kidding Mom! I wanna be the Boss!

April 13, 2017Posted inCISCO, Country Frank's Lucky Star
Next time I rave on and on about how Lucky Star has changed into the horse of yes, just smile and shake your head. Susan never learns. I played with Cisco first. We are learning driving skills. Yes, I bought light weight long ropes. I attached them to my Parelli Bridle. At the end, Cisco was trotting around me in the pasture. His back legs look good. I took off the bridle and he walked with me back to the barn. I said, "Cisco, I love you the most. You…

Round Bale Spring Scratching Post

April 12, 2017Posted inCISCO, Country Frank's Lucky Star, Missouri Fox Trotter
The round bale had been consumed leaving only a cushion of hay on the ground. The horses deserted the round bale to the green grass. It appears that the green grass has been eaten down to the dirt. Lucky Star has been telling me that he is starving. I retort and tell him both of us need to lose our roundness. He snorts on me and is actively looking for a smart phone that is nicker activated. Lucky Star hates Siri. She never responds to his nicker activating attempts to…