CISCO

Missouri Fox Trotter World Celebration 2015 This is Cisco's third ever horse show and it's the big one.  We were planning on showing at the Spring Show in June, but he developed a coughing allergy at that show.  My diagnosis after some experimentation is allergic to moldy sawdust.  Sadly, the coughing continued from June till August.  No riding. No ground work.  Just cough medicine and cough supplements.  Finally, he was cured enough to ride.  Cured enough in August, about thirty days before the World Celebration.  I rode him and noticed…

The last cow clinic showed Cisco, a good ole boy who loves everyone, hesitating to wade (walk) into the bunched up cow herd. Cows can be intimidating when they are standing body to body touching and looking at us. Cows are even intimidating when looking at a bunch of them from the rear. Cisco was not willing to walk into the herd some of the days at the last cow clinic. Cisco's confidence increased this week. He was doing great with the cows. The weather turned hot, humid and all…

This is it:  Cisco's first horse show.  His human birth mommy, Brenda, came all the way from Virginia to see him.  She has not seen him since he was sold some years ago.   Brenda's friends and I held her hands as we walked down the aisle to Cisco's stall.  Brenda melted when she first saw him.  Cisco's eyes were wide open when she walked into the stalled and rubbed him.  He was very surprised to see her again, especially in this big huge arena foreign place.  Brenda loved on…

The day started like any day when I was to take a lesson with Erin Patterson.  Excitement to be learning on my horse journey with Cisco. Cisco and I arrived at the arena and got ready.  Jackie came to ride Tuff in the lesson with me.  She brought toys! After our gaiting lesson was done, Jackie went to get her first toy.  Regular people call it a tarp.  Horse people call it "A TARP"!  Jackie has a three year old Missouri Fox Trotter.  She bought the horse because of many…

I can lead Cisco into trailer just fine.  He follows me.  When I turn to leave him in the trailer, he gets a little less confident.  Trailers are not a horse's most favorite place. Early on in our relationship, Cisco  learned how to load in the trailer with me outside, sending him in.  I park him at the trailer, pick up my left hand and send him in.  We had quite a time about that the first couple of times.  He goes in but is still uneasy about staying in…