Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 65th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 65th LESSON

I had the best ride ever this morning on Flossie! We were one; in
harmony; slow, steady, rhythmical. My seat was part of her back; my
legs, her sides; my hands were directly connected to her mouth. I�m
telling you, it was incredible. I felt as though we were in the show
ring winning all the ribbons. We cantered all the way around the track!
Every gait was slow and in balance. My seat was impeccable, as were my
hands and my legs. I�ve never ridden so well in my life. Everything
was perfect.

Our ride started out much less than perfect, however. In fact, it was
so bad I didn�t think Flossie had a ride in her today. I thought she
must be sore even though I checked her from top to bottom before
saddling her up. When I mounted, she refused to move a muscle. Simply
refused. I thought she must be in terrible pain or something; it�s not
like her to be disobedient in the yard. No matter what I did, I could
not convince her to take a step.

So I dismounted and checked her again to see if she was sore. Convinced
she was as sound as I am, I mounted again. Still, she refused. I got
off again and led her over to the track, facing the direction I wanted
her to go. Then I mounted. This time she took a few steps backward.
Good. I let her go; at least she was moving. When she stopped going
backwards, I took the crop and spanked her harder than I have ever had
to spank her before and yelled, �Come on, get up there!� Cautiously,
and albeit reluctantly, she finally did as she was told.

When we got past Des� house, she spooked at a magpie and then suddenly
it clicked. She was afraid of being swooped by the maggie! That�s what
the refusal was all about! Once I got her past the bird, she was fine,
although she was a bit worried every time we passed the tree where the
bird lives.

I also found out what was causing her to shoot forward on Friday when I
was walking her in hand to cool her out. There�s another bird she
watches out for near the road. And, another one in another area where
she tends to go sideways, as if trying to avoid something. Now I know
what that behavior has been all about. The birds are scaring my horse!

Anyway, as I mentioned, once I got her attention, Flossie was a star; a
real star! She was so willing to please and since I rode so well, I
helped make it easy for her. We worked together. As I told Normie, the
two of us were one! We moved as one being. Every rider�s dream! Oh,
and it was windy today too. Flossie didn�t even seem to notice.

I measured her with a tape measure and according to my calculations,
Flossie is sixty-six inches from hoof to withers, or, in horse language,
16 �� hands tall!