Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 53rd Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 53rd LESSON

Flossie was lying down when I arrived at Des? this morning. She looked
so peaceful. I almost hated to disturb her. I kept an eye on her as I
gathered my tack out of the car and slung my bridle, saddle, and pad
over the top rail of the fence. She didn?t budge until she saw me
coming for her. I stopped in my tracks and she walked right up to me.

I had her walk around the track twice before I asked for a faster pace.
Des had put some cracker dust, or blue metal dust, down on the track
over the muddy area where Flossie usually balks with me. I was curious
to see how she would take this, for it totally changed the whole
appearance. I needn?t have worried, though; she took it in stride and
never even batted an eye!

Right from the start no matter what the gait, she just wanted to go full
speed ahead. She was pacing so fast I didn?t think I?d even attempt the
canter. However, I managed to get her to slow down enough that I
decided it would be safe enough to try and it turned out to be a good
decision.

When I cooled her out, before getting off, I took her up next to the
fenceline and had her walk the perimeter of the paddock, which we had
never done before. I had her walking over fallen branches and through
brambles that aren?t usually a part of her lesson. I also had her
walking and trotting in straight lines from point A to point B in the
paddock. Each week I pick two different points so we?re not doing the
same old same old.

After all the carrots had been eaten by my two equine fans, (Flossie and
Bambi), I tried giving them both some water out of a bottle. They were
so curious; nosing the bottle and running their teeth over it. I poured
some water out into my palm and had them taste it. Bambi put her head
up and opened her mouth. I was able to get some water into lips that
way. Flossie just waited for me to pour the liquid out in a steady
stream. She opened her mouth and grabbed at it with her lips. They
both seemed to know what they were doing which gave me the impression
that they had been watered that way before.

After visiting for a while with Des? new gelding who likes to mouth
arms, hands, and clothes if he gets the chance, I went back to the big
paddock and pulled Flossie?s mane. It?s all nice and even now about two
inches or so shorter than it was.

I looked all over for Sooty, but I couldn?t find him. I noticed there
were pigeons flying around again and Des had said since Sooty started
hanging around, they had all but disappeared from the premises. Since
the cat was nowhere to be seen, and the pigeons were having a hay day
again, I?m wondering if something happened to the black cat.

Anyway, I couldn?t have picked a better day for riding. It was sunny
and bright, but chilly enough to warrant a light jacket: Just the way I
like it! Perfect weather to be in the saddle. Although Flossie and I
both got a bit warm around the edges, we both cooled out in record time.