Fancy

Argue - Pin ears, hollow out her back, front knees brace - resulting in lateral gait.  We don't like a lateral gait.  It feels off balance. It makes the rider grumpy.   Fancy is insulted at something.  She doesn't like leg pressure on her body.  Susan forgets that. Fancy goes faster at the lateral gait.  We have no slow down cue in the beginning bracy ride. At exactly the same spot on the wall of the arena, Fancy throws her shoulder to the inside.  Her head is pointed at the wall and her…

No pictures were taken to protect the innocent We have had a lot of moisture here in the Kansas City Chiefs Kingdom.  We had rain and snow.  If the ground is not frozen, it is mushy or muddy. Day 2 of Fancy’s return to her fantastic boarding stable.  She has switched turnout pastures and is now living with her famous half brother, Louie. I turned into the driveway seeking first sight of Fancy.  Standing in a muddy area, I saw the golden gelding with frosty white mane and tail.  There…

It's January. First it was going to be day and night long rain. Fancy would have to be in a stall day and night. After the rain, a huge snowstorm was predicted. Fancy would have to be in a stall day and night. I elected to take her home so she could roam freely with the other two horses and have use of the run-in stalls and shed shelter. They have 24 hour access to hay in the barn and a round bale outside. It is almost horse heaven. It…

Fancy is the color of White Chocolate Mocha The whipped cream is from the white snips on her hind legs. Hmmmm, what is her darker mane and tail? I'll have to investigate further. Erin rode Fancy again before I rode her. Erin rode Fancy in near perfect canter circles. What! How do these trainers do what they do? Erin explained that the rider's body energy makes a difference. Hmmm, I'm thinking of how much torque my legs and core muscles are bleeding out into Fancy's brain. Erin further explained that…

Yesterday was slow bareback day.  I can't take slow on a daily basis.  Today, my insides were churning with a small fire called "Go Fast".  Yes, I can go out of control.  We are in our last days of Fancy training with Erin Patterson, world renown Missouri Fox Trotter champion and trainer.  I decided that today would be a good day for Erin to ride Fancy before I rode.  Fancy was quite relaxed during our ground session and games.  I figured Erin could get Fancy going. When I rode, she…

Before we begin this account of the amazing adventure today, I would like to mention that it is day five of Question Box Pattern.  Thank goodness for this pattern which keeps horses going in an circle and helps to slow them down.  I needed a pattern that barely moved. Many things contributed to this day.  I've started pursuing the Parelli Levels program.  They no longer require bareback riding, but do encourage it at this level .  Plus, I had to do it all my early life in the program with…