Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 52nd Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 52nd LESSON

What a fabulous day to be riding! It was fifty degrees at our house when we left this
morning, but I?m sure it was ten degrees warmer at Des?. As soon as I got out of the car I
could feel the difference. Flossie lives in Waterford which is less than thirty minutes
away from Eagleby. You?d think it wouldn?t make that much difference, wouldn?t you?

Flossie?s been coming right up to me when I go to ride. I know I haven?t mentioned it, but
she?s been doing that now for months. She watches us as our car pulls up the long drive and
when I get close enough I roll the window down and shout hello. She watches me pull her
saddle, bridle, pad, etc, out of the car and place them on the fence or on the ground next
to it. When I?m ready for her, that?s when she starts coming towards me.

I don't lunge Flossie any more. I also don't ask her to trot when I'm riding.
We either pace or canter.

This has been about four lessons in a row that I haven?t had to reprimand Flossie for one
thing or another; she knows what I want and goes about trying to please. She is such a
delight. I have her trotting and cantering around the track without stopping until I ask or
a walk, in both directions. Her transitions are impeccable!

She wanted to turn around when we got to the road again this week. I wouldn?t let her make
a complete turn around, though. I had her face the track that she doesn?t want to face and
then I just relaxed the reins and let her calm down. It didn?t take long. Once she
relaxed, I asked her to go forward. I never had a problem again. We trotted, cantered,
walked down that strip without a flinch after that no matter how many times we went around.

When I had her face the track, I spoke to her in a soothing voice and said things like
"You're going to have to be brave," and "You'll have to have faith in
me." She understands my every word. I know she does. I didn't have to hit her
with the crop, or kick her, or yell at her. Just simple talking; reasoning; explaining;
encouraging, and most of all, letting her know I had faith in her. When she went, she tried
to turn again after a few steps. I didn't allow her to turn around, though; I had her
face the direction I wanted her to go in, relaxed, let go of the reins, and again talked to
her soothingly and encouragingly. It didn't take as long as the first time. I told her
to go ahead when she felt safe, which she did. I praised her up and down for taking the
plunge and being courageous.

The worse this mare does is give me a choppy gait that?s neigher a trot, pace, or canter.
She can raise her legs up, hollow her back, and throw her head up which makes riding her
very uncomfortable if not impossible. A whack on her shoulder with the crop, however,
straightens her out immediately. Go figure. It's this gait I get from her whenever I
ask for a trot, so I just don't ask any more.

I had her doing straight lines in the paddock again and she?s getting so good at it now.
It?s so hard to believe she used to have difficulties with that exercise.

She?s starting to slow down at the canter. She?ll go slowly for a few strides at a time,
but it?s a start. I love bringing her back down to a walk; she?s so prompt. I plan to
bring her down from a canter to a halt next time I ride. I?m also working on slowing her
other gaits as well.