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…

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…

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…

Focus Fun Fail

November 27, 2021Posted inFancy, Flying Change, Parelli
Today was a "Liberty" day.  I decided there was not enough afternoon time to do both liberty and ride. I do have the challenge of the Parelli audition for Level 4 Liberty.  Time to get serious. Fancy is in a short time training period with the great Erin Patterson.  There happens to be a wonderful round pen at the stable which is the perfect size for our Liberty required tasks.  All four Level 4 Parelli auditions require flying lead changes.  Fancy can do the liberty flying lead changes with her…

Fancy Big Brag and “Uniqueness”

October 4, 2021Posted inFancy, Flying Change
STRAIGHT LINE FLYING LEAD CHANGE! Let’s go with the unique first:  More than a few years ago Fancy and I were participating in a clinic with horses and a mammoth mule.  Fancy wasn’t scared of the mule, but she was buzzed about something.  We stood next to the mule awaiting our turn at a pattern.  After an hour or so, I guessed she liked the mule and wanted to be close.  I experimented and sure enough, her buzz subsided when we were close to the mule. I know Fancy’s history.I…

Swan Lake with Susan and Fancy

June 24, 2021Posted inFancy, Flying Change, Parelli, Swan Lake
The evil witch hates the royal family. She searches for the young woman whose destiny is to marry the Cowboy Prince. The witch finds the princess and casts an evil spell on her.  The future princess is turned into a SWAN!  The future princess wanders around and finds her lake (a blue tarp). Is the future princess destined to remain a swan, dragging her lake everywhere? The Cowboy Prince, future king, cares nothing about royal bloodlines.  He wants true love.  He decides to search for his future beloved in the countryside.…