4.8 Mile Solo Trail Ride

March 6, 2022Posted inFancy
A horse in my past life evidentially made me afraid to ride outside of an arena.  I’ve conquered that fear down to “ride outside with other people”.  I first became aware of my new found freedom from outdoor fear last month when I rode Fancy around the neighbor’s property.  The realization of what I had done had not "hit me" until later in the afternoon. On this day, I agreed to ride at a nearby park with other people, good solid people who are safe to ride with.  I arrived…

Best Bridleless Ride

March 1, 2022Posted inFancy, Flying Change
  Look at that front leg reach,swish of the trail…perfect foxtrot! We started with a bridle and did the gaits, leg yields and a repeat of yesterday’s reining pattern, but slow motion at a flat foot walk. I took off the bridle.  We practiced doing leg yields without reins.  I’m remembering Velvet now.  Velvet and I did leg yields bridleless, in one direction with it being difficult the other direction. Ah, the memories… When we were resting, I remembered sidepassing.  We experimented with bridleless sidepassing. I had a neck rope…

BFO with Fancy and Flying Changes!

February 28, 2022Posted inFancy, Flying Change
BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious) Day! Our group lesson was over and I’m driving truck and trailer home with Fancy. I had fun today. Fancy and flying lead changes are more fun than a barrel full of monkeys. Yuck I don’t think a barrel full of monkeys would be fun. Hmmm, where have I had more fun than this today? FUN? The only thing I can think of are the times when I’ve been in the middle of a group being loud, obnoxious and dribbling spittle. Why yes, my…

Consistent Flying Changes!

February 21, 2022Posted inFancy, Flying Change
Words Matter!  I heard the following words today in the group lesson from Erin Patterson, “Susan, you are getting consistent flying changes now both with counter canter and figure eight.”  I am to lean forward and be a Yahoo Cowgirl enthusiast. I did lean forward today! I asked Erin twice to repeat the consistent words.  When I was absolutely certain, she said those exact words, I fainted and fell off Fancy.  (I fainted and fell off  in my mind.  I could see me down there in the arena dirt.)

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…