Velvet – You Can’t Scream Outloud

December 18, 2000Posted inVelvet
Lately, I've been feeling really confident, riding Velvet.  During the last two group lessons, I did not touch the reins.  I steered her with my body and legs.  I also carry two carrot sticks.  These are 3' long extensions of my arms.  They are fiberglass and lightweight.  If Velvet doesn't pay attention to my eyes, belly button, legs, then the carrot sticks are used.  Carrot stick comes to the right side of the head means turn right and vice versa with left.  Crossed carrot sticks in front of the horses…

Velvet – reluctant pony horse

December 14, 2000Posted inVelvet
Pony Horse takes savvy The ponied horse's head is to be right at your knee. We are playing like a foal is running beside his momma...that's where the foal stays. Another thing ponying is good for...if you have the SAVVY (which I don't) is for cross mares. Velvet had started snaking her head and occasionally kicking out at other horses that she hates. At one point, she even attacked a few horses when we were just standing around. So, as part of her reeducation into politeness...Jenny started ponying her. When…

Velvet Does Dressage!

January 13, 2000Posted inVelvet
Only at the Natural Gait, a horse person's paradise, where a staunch Western rider and Missouri Fox Trotter (for goodness sake) come to embrace the mystical world of Dressage!  The words, "natural methods" in the description of a dressage clinic given by internationally regarded dressage instructor, judge and Olympic level performance competitor, Ellie Stine-Masek, made Velvet and I feel that we might be able to fit into this ancient training system originated when men made war using horses.   Here's how Velvet and her rider’s weekend went:  We found ourself…

1999 World Celebration with Sage and Velvet

September 4, 1999Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter, Sage, Velvet
1999 World Celebration with Sage and Velvet There's Someone Sleeping in my Bed and It's Not Goldilocks! I missed the first Saturday trial ride. By the time I got through dismantling my house and barn, packing for two horses  and sticking all that stuff into my horse trailer, I arrived at the grounds on Saturday afternoon. I had preregistered for two temporary stalls.  I drove up to barn 2, stall 15 and tried to back my trailer smartly; and then raggedly; and then not at all-- into the space in…

One Minute from trailride to Underwater

November 5, 1998Posted inVelvet
Back in the early years of Velvet and I is the memory of the back property trail ride.  Oh my goodness My new best friend, Lanie, brought her horse, Sparkles, and her husband, Tim, over to the house. Husbands went to the shop. Horsewomen got on their horses. We were exploring my 20 acres of forest, creek, glen and glade and then we explored the neighbors acres.   Oh what a marvelous time were Lanie and I having on our horses, Sparkles and Velvet. We came upon Big Creek running thru north/south thru the property. …

1998 Celebration Saturday

September 12, 1998Posted inMissouri Fox Trotter, Velvet
Velvet and I spent an uncomfortable Firday night in the reedy lower pasture. I was in my tent with punctured air mattress and she had to paw her patch of ground to make it comfy. Finally 6:00am Saturday morning came and we are up. At 7:00 am, I am to meet people who are interested in getting some information. They want names and addresses of people with nice trail riding fox trotters for sale I’m going to give them Larry and Mona Dollarhide of Larry’s stable. They want to find…