Lucky Star Recovery 10-23-15

October 23, 2015Posted inCountry Frank's Lucky Star, Missouri Fox Trotter
It's been nearly two weeks since I had to worry about Lucky Star and his ripped foot.  He went over a fence, but caught his back foot and tried to rip it apart.  There were weeks of constant worry from colic to him not getting up for two days.  I've now enjoyed two weeks of heaven not worrying about Lucky not making it. I came home this afternoon to see him laying down in the far pasture.  hmmmm.  I got grain and rattled the stall bars to let all the…

Target Game with Cisco – Level 4 Journey

October 23, 2015Posted inCISCO
On the ground I have two barrels and an upside down bucket placed around the round pen.  There are treats on top of these buckets.  Horse Treats.  Motivational behavior treats. I stand with Cisco facing me, about 15 feet away from the horse treat object.  I raise my arm and point at the barrel.  I make various arm movements with both arms to get Cisco to travel to the object.  Eventually, he gets there through a combination of backing, going forward, moving his forequarters and hindquarters (not at the same…

Cisco Level 4 Journey – 10/21/15

October 21, 2015Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter, Parelli
My plan today was to work on Cisco staying with me while I tried to loose him.  But today, we did it online instead of at liberty.  I used the 14' rope.  I have purchased a slightly used 45' rope.  I plan to get it out of the mailing box and try to start loving it.  sigh.... I saddled up Cisco in the barn.  He was loose, eating hay.  I loaded up the saddle.  Then I wondered if he would back out of the barn with me standing behind him…

Cisco Level 4 Journey

October 13, 2015Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter, Parelli
We might have done Level 4 stuff today.  What we did do is have fun.  Fun in the round pen.  On the ground, we are trying to get me to change directions, run fast and have Cisco run to catch up with me.  We are working on it.  He stays locked with me going the same direction at all speeds.  It is certainly good exercise for me.  We rest with me sitting on a barrel pretending that this is part of the training time instead of letting me breathe again…

Reflection

October 11, 2015Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter, Parelli
I'm ushering today at Kauffmam Center for the Performing Arts which pauses the horse journey. But I had thoughts. Yesterday, I thought about the many many steps we take to keep ourselves safe with horses. Since I'm a polished veteran now and know everything, I've been neglecting some of these steps. The thought of making an audition for the Level 4 tasks has brought me back down to reality. We can not skip safety steps in a test, so let me just put full safety back into my warm-up. When…

Cisco Trailer Loading Story Continues-Level 4 Journey

October 10, 2015Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter, Parelli
Cisco is anchored to me. He runs along side of me. He is bonded to me. I thought today, Trailer loading at Liberty! Turns out, he is not anchored to me in the yard when it comes to trailer loading. Yes. He ran about 60 feet away from me. I resorted to the halter and sent him into the trailer. No! I had moved the trailer and he had to step up higher to get in. So we had a trailer loading session. He didn't explode when he got into…