Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 80th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 80th LESSON

Des wasn't home today when I went down to ride Flossie and I'm wondering if he's
in the hospital having surgery on his legs.


When I first arrived at Des' place, Flossie was lying down in the small paddock where I
used to work her. I took her out of the paddock and led her down the shedrow. She was so
interested in her surroundings and I had to take my time with her so she could touch
everything in sight. She walked into the shed and had a look around before I convinced her
she had seen everything. I took her through the gate and into the yard past all the paddocks
on our right.


It was 90 degrees so I took it easy on Flossie today. I may have taken it easier than I had
to, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Today was a study in relaxation: I started out
relaxed and didn't allow anything to change it. I worked on an independent seat; using
the lower half of my body separate from my upper body. I warmed Flossie up in the paddock,
then worked her in both directions on the track at every gait, which were all nicely
collected with a good bend at the poll. In fact, Flossie basically collected herself as long
as I remained relaxed and kept a straight line from my elbow to the bit.


After the workout on the track, we took a break in the shade. I was afraid she wouldn't
want to work for me after the initial rest, because she's protested before in the past,
but she was cooperative and did everything I asked. We did all sorts of things in the
paddock, from cavalettis to figure eights; from cantering and trotting in a straight line to
circles. Each time we completed an exercise I had her take a break in the shade. She seemed
to enjoy the suspense involved with wondering what we were going to do next.


Before I mounted, I had draped my tarp over a horizontal pole that's three feet off the
ground and is located along the track near the yard so it would wave in the wind. The first
time I rode Flossie past it, she didn't want any part of it, but after that, she walked
up to it and even tried to pull it off with her teeth. At the end of her lesson, while
cooling her out, I pulled the tarp off the pole and draped it across my lap so half of it
dangled down my right leg and the other down my left. I moved it around so Flossie knew it
was there, but she didn't blink an eye. The next trick will be to carry it at a trot and
eventually at the canter.


I was able to touch both colts today. Blaze prefers it when I stretch my hand out, but
don't make the initial advance. He'd rather walk up to my hand and rub his neck and
face on my arm. He still bobs his head when I try to touch him first, but he doesn't
spook; he'll pull back, but he doesn't retreat. Bam Bam, on the other hand,
doesn't mind it if I make the first move. He'll stand still, but he won't let me
get too close. What different horsenalities these two have!


I tried untangling the knots in Blaze's mother's mane, but she told me she's a
wild and free mare now and doesn't have the patience for such things. I figure if I do a
little work on it every time I'm there, eventually I'll have the whole thing
untangled. Flossie's tail is as silky as I had left it last week!


When I got home I received a phone call from the president of Norm's Logan
Toastmaster's club, Ron Gallen. He said he knows a man, Ian, who is looking for someone
to ride his horse. He has a huge gelding, named Bob, who is being vetted for a sore leg at
the moment. He said as soon as the horse is ready to go, he'll give me a call. He also
has two daughters who might be interested in taking riding lessons from me, but he's
going to wait until school starts up again and they're back on a regular routine.
According to Ron, Ian's very interested in me. I'll let you know what happens.