Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 67th Lesson

My ride on Flossie was a dream this morning. A real pleasure! When I first
arrived, Gary's stable hand was already there getting Magic Harry ready for
some exercise on the track. He hooked him up to that old red car that's always
parked alongside the track in one spot or another and had him trotting via a
rope he had connected to the car door.

In the meantime, after I groomed and tacked Flossie in the yard, I led her on
foot to the paddock before mounting. She didn't want to leave the yard so I
knew she would have resisted if I had tried to ride her out. Right after
mounting, instead of asking her to walk, I just had her stand for me. I waited
until I knew she was good and tired of waiting around. When I nudged her gently
with my calves, she was more than happy to move out for me.

She was so willing to please! Her gaits were slow, even, collected. I don't
have to work on slowing her down with this bit; she just picks it up and goes
on her own at a perfect speed. It's so easy! She gave me the smoothest gaits.
I worked on my seat and all 'the accessories' that go along with it and did
pretty well most of the time.

Flossie balked at the same spot by the road where she gives me trouble
periodically, but I just handled it the way I always do and we were back in
business again in no time. By the time I started riding, Magic Harry was done
with his exercise and the little bay mare, I found out her name is Glenco Gal,
was taking her turn. For a while we followed her but the car broke down so it
was left on the side of the track as usual while Glenco Gal had her time cut in
half.

Flossie spooked at the handler when he walked back on foot to the car to see if
he could move it off the track. She jumped but immediately came down and
continued working for me. She was so focused on me even when the horses were
being worked by the side of the red car that I was so proud of her!

When it came to the canter, I was having difficulty getting her to pick it up
at first, but I discovered it was my fault. As soon as I made the correction,
she picked the canter up immediately.

When we were done, she was given a handful of hay by the fellow who was working
Gary's horses (I wish I had gotten his name). I had to keep her away from it,
though, until she got her walk around the track so I could cool her out. She
was good about waiting; I was surprised. Of course it was there for her when
she got back along with all the carrots I showered her with.

I pulled her mane again; that makes three times this year now. I didn't want
to leave her. I truly feel she is my very own horse.