Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 51st Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 51ST LESSON

It was only in the lower fifties this morning when I went out to ride Flossie. I was
covered in four layers from a thin T-shirt to a heavy hooded winter coat and only ended up
peeling down to two layers by the time I had mounted and was ready to ride.

Flossie was an absolute dream. She did everything I asked of her promptly (as always) and
expertly! She is learning so fast all-of-a-sudden that it?s getting hard to keep up with
her. I?m going to have to start introducing new skills such as side passing soon. She?s
even getting straighter across the paddock when I have her going from one tree to another.
Her transitions are getting prompter as well; coming down to a walk from a canter, for
example.

Since she didn?t have a lesson last week, I had decided to cool Flossie out a bit sooner
than usual; I didn?t want to push it, but she wouldn?t have it. She picked up a trot on her
own, smoothly transformed it into a canter, and rounded the track at a nice and steady gait
as if she were riding herself. I was impressed. We would have cantered all the way around
the track if there hadn?t been a soft muddy spot on the ground nearest the road. (After my
ride when I walked Flossie in hand to cool down, I had to traipse through that spot and was
surprised to find it wasn?t as muddy as it had looked. Flossie would have been able to
canter there after all. She was so willing today; too, I wish I had known beforehand).

Des has a new bay gelding. I asked him if he purchased him at the sales but he said no some
fellow trailered him up from down south. He?s a nice horse. I spent some time with him
after my ride and was impressed with his curiosity and his friendliness.

Sooty is getting fat. He?s still as lovable as ever, though, and every time I go to see
Flossie I look for him. He purrs up a storm when I cuddle him.