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 (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…

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.)

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…