Cisco the Half Million Dollar Horse

March 7, 2017Posted inCISCO
I believe that Cisco is a Million Dollar Horse (MDH). He just hasn't had the opportunity to prove it yet. What? You want to know what a million dollar horse (MDH)is? No, it isn't a Kentucky Deby winner or an Olympic horse champion. Have you seen pictures of three to six year old children riding a horse without a nearby adult? The children's legs don't reach below the saddle pad. The horse walks slowly along. Or if the child is somewhat familiar with a horse, the horse will reluctantly go…

Opera will Cure It

November 10, 2016Posted inMiscellaneous
I ushered the opera Marriage of Figaro the day after the Trump / Clinton presidential election.  Facebook was burning up.  I felt horrible on that morning as I was planning on celebrating our first woman president...not!  I decided that I couldn't even ride Cisco as I might take my sadness and grumpiness out on him.  But I did go to Cisco and was lucky enough to have multi world champion trainer, Erin Patterson, ride  him.  When I went to the pasture to get Cisco, I forgot about the election.  After…

First the Bridle and Now the Saddle

November 7, 2016Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter
I tell people that a new book is not possible because the humor of a person new to horses is gone.  Maybe that theory is flawed.  I might have had two humbling experiences just today and the last time I rode.  I might have dramatic, pathetic and humorous stories, even now.  You be the judge. Friday I decided to change bits today on Cisco's bridle. Cisco made certain that he was involved in the exchange. He had his head mostly in my lap while I was trying to do this.…

Remember the Lessons Velvet Taught You, Susan

November 1, 2016Posted inVelvet
Why did Velvet canter every time I asked her to leg yield at a lesser gait.  We were walking, I asked her to leg yield and she tried to canter.  We were in the next gait up, I asked her to leg yield and she tried to canter.  Then I realized I was asking her to leg yield with force in my legs.  I remembered that I thought about the difference between a cue and asking for a faster gait. I've been thinking the same thing about Cisco lately.  How…

Cisco Worship

October 28, 2016Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter
Every day I agonize over how I can let Cisco know what a wondrous horse he is to give me so much try and affection. Should I just go into his pasture and feed him treats non stop all day long? How about me brushing him daily for 3 hours? Can I feed him a bag of horse feed every day? Let me rub behind his ears, rub his withers, rub his head, rub his nose, scratch his belly, scratch other itchy places etc for three hours every day.  Would…

Afraid of Gates or Worry?

October 26, 2016Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter
I've wrapped up enough examples to know that Cicso is darn certain that a gate will kill him, We were so scared of the gate at the April 2015 Spring Horse show that we just zipped around it. Cisco was terrifie of the gate at the 2015 versatility arena at Ava shows both June and September. We have yet to make an entrance through a strange gate using my right hand. Cisco can barely tolerate me using my left hand to open and shut a gate. Usually gates are set…