Horsemanship Clinic Reflections-Journey to Parelli Level 4

November 2, 2015Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter, Parelli
Three day Horsemanship clinic with Tony and Jennifer Vaught was amazing. I have some advice and training instructions upon which to reflect. I'll be keeping this in my inner self. Cisco and I are back being "together" when I ride. Our relationship is stronger. My ability to communicate with Cisco has improved. This is both on the ground and in the saddle. The magic started this weekend. I rode a lot without using the reins. I didn't ride without the bridle. The bridle was a safety net during some of…

Cisco the Fun and Amazing- Journey to Level 4 Parelli

October 28, 2015Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter, Parelli
A round pen is a wonderful place. You can use the inside and you can use the outside. Cisco's liberty progress is so advanced, I wonder if I really am the "trainer". Is anyone playing with Cisco at night just to make me think it is me who is bringing him along? Surely I can't be this good. Or maybe Cisco is just a miracle awesome horse. I believe choice number 2 is the answer. Cisco is a miracle horse. I am standing behind Cisco. I lift my arms and…

Audience for Cisco and I

October 26, 2015Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter, Parelli
I love an audience.  Cisco and I had an audience today during our riding time.  Cisco and I showed off just a little bit and our audience offered me $75 cash for him.  I told "the audience" that the bid was now up to $2000 cash.  Bob did not pull $2500 out of his pocket and hold it under Cisco's head.  whew!  Cisco might have ate the money and then where would we be. Caitlyn is still the high bidder! Cisco and I did our ground work in a 40'…

Cisco Loading at Liberty – Journey to Level 4 Parelli

October 25, 2015Posted inCISCO, Missouri Fox Trotter, Parelli
Today was loading Cisco into a trailer at Liberty. I got the feed bucket ready, put the halter on Cisco and we went to the trailer. Of course Cisco was trying to eat grain out of the feed bucket while we were walking. I managed to get into the trailer without Cisco. My goal is to get the feed bucket in the far corner of the trailer. I now have my two horse wide trailer. Cisco knows he wants in to eat the grain. He did managed to get two…

Lucky Star Recovery 10-23-15

October 23, 2015Posted inCountry Frank's Lucky Star, Missouri Fox Trotter
It's been nearly two weeks since I had to worry about Lucky Star and his ripped foot.  He went over a fence, but caught his back foot and tried to rip it apart.  There were weeks of constant worry from colic to him not getting up for two days.  I've now enjoyed two weeks of heaven not worrying about Lucky not making it. I came home this afternoon to see him laying down in the far pasture.  hmmmm.  I got grain and rattled the stall bars to let all the…

Target Game with Cisco – Level 4 Journey

October 23, 2015Posted inCISCO
On the ground I have two barrels and an upside down bucket placed around the round pen.  There are treats on top of these buckets.  Horse Treats.  Motivational behavior treats. I stand with Cisco facing me, about 15 feet away from the horse treat object.  I raise my arm and point at the barrel.  I make various arm movements with both arms to get Cisco to travel to the object.  Eventually, he gets there through a combination of backing, going forward, moving his forequarters and hindquarters (not at the same…