Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 56th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 56th LESSON

I woke up to a gorgeous morning: Plenty of sunshine, but no humidity! It was a tad bit
warmer than it�s been lately, but I didn�t check the thermometer so I�m not sure what the
exact temperature was. All I know is I didn�t need a jacket while riding. I had two shirts
on; just a light cotton shirt under a long-sleeved one.

Flossie was only half-cooperative today, so she did only about as half as good as she�s been
doing up until now. Because of that, I varied her lesson considerably. At the end, after I
had her going through her paces around the track, I had her doing circles on the track at a
walk. I�d have her walk about five to ten strides, then circle to the right. After another
five to ten strides, we did another circle to the right. We did about five of them in a
row, and then we turned around and did circles every five to ten strides or so to the left
in the other direction. It kept her focused on me and mentally interested in what we were
doing.

Earlier, while cantering, at one point, I had her go between a parked car that was in the
middle of the track and a tree. She listened so well to my aids that she would have looked
like a seasoned horse to any observer, if there had been one watching us. I was so proud of
her! There was no hesitation in her stride; she just listened to me.

When I asked for a canter mid-way in our lesson, however, she refused and gave me a buck. I
spanked her. When I asked again, this time she went into the most beautiful canter I�ve
ever seen! I�ve discovered that when I ask verbally for a canter, I�m not always physically
ready for one. I think that�s what she protested. The second time I asked her only with my
seat. I had everything in position; my legs, seat, hands, etc. What a difference it made
in her response!

After she had her post-ride carrots, I walked around the track snapping photos of every bend
and curve. I also took photos of the dam, Des� house in relation to the track, and some
ducks that were swimming in the dam while I was there. In the photos you�ll be able to see
how close the road comes to part of the track; that part where Flossie used to bulk with me,
and the cracker dust Des laid recently in that very spot.