Fancy is not a RUNAWAY

January 24, 2022Posted inFancy, Flying Change
A runaway horse suddenly takes off and accelerates into a gallop with the victim human riding.  The victim human will probably end up tossed off and getting badly hurt. A horses who refuses to go the direction the rider cued is not a runaway.  A horse who is not accelerating faster up into the gallop is not a runaway.  A horse who refuses to stop, but doesn't accelerate is not a runaway.  Fancy is not a runaway horse. So, what happened today in the group lesson? My goal now is…

The Fart

January 19, 2022Posted inMiscellaneous
We had a three person/horse group lesson today.  One of the groupies sold her main horse and brought Mabel.  Mabel is a "been there done that" boss mare.  During our ride, Fancy pinned her ears at Mabel, trying to tell her, she was dominate.  Mabel probably made a mental note at this disrespect.  We were at a point where Fancy was standing still, resting and Mabel passed us.  Out of the blue sky, we heard a very loud, bossy FART!  There is no smell with horses.  Mabel was going at…

Straight Line Flying Lead Change

January 16, 2022Posted inFancy, Flying Change
Group lesson minus one.  Erin stated she had thought of a new flying lead change pattern.  Oh Boy! We used the entire arena with cones placed where we would start to turn the corner.  Our warm up consisted me trying to get Fancy to not do a pacy flat foot walk. Erin explained the secret is to get her going in a fast enough walk with inside support rein. Easy Pattern Cones Set in arena corners, before horse starts to bend around the corner. Trot about midway on long side…

She’s Something Else!

January 16, 2022Posted inFancy
The breed rules don’t allow a name change at her age, BUT….. maybe I could submit a petition for a special horse name change.  Her name should be She's Something Else instead of She's Something Fancy. What did she do today, Susan? It's cold here, in the lower 20 degrees, there is snow on the ground.  Water is always something to worry about. The lake has just melted and for perhaps, today, there is water available for the horses to drink.  The horses have heated buckets in their run-in stalls. We…

It Happened!

January 11, 2022Posted inFancy, Flying Change
Before I print the two opening words, I had to reason out swearing and cursing.  I swore this afternoon.  Here are the definitions: 1. Cursing is negative. 2. Swearing can be either positive or negative. I used two swear words today in a positive manner: GOD DAMN! Fancy gave me a flying lead change while I was riding her bridleless!  I had a thin rope around her neck and I carried a horsemanship stick.Fancy had nothing on her head.  She had nothing in her mouth.  We were in the second…

Hitch in the Get-Along

January 4, 2022Posted inFancy
Last week at the group lesson, Fancy appeared to have a problem cantering to the right.  We did one flying lead change, left to right and stopped there. We had another lesson today and again, Fancy had problem cantering to the right.  She acted like she wanted to switch over to the left lead and did a little canter hop.  She seemed to want to canter on the left lead. Erin was suspicious.  She had not felt this the hitch the time she rode and wanted to feel the problem.…