Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 84th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 84th LESSON

Besides the fact that she only had one speed when we first started, Flossie was so good
today I spent the entire lesson working on myself. I started out circling around the cones
I set up. I had her walk and trot around them in both directions. At one point she picked
up a canter so I let her do that, too. She only went for about five strides, but it was a
first and I was happy to see she was eager and willing to circle at a canter. This exercise
gave me the opportunity to work on my left leg, which I refer to as my 'rogue leg',
while going to the right since I have a problem keeping weight in it and holding it where it
belongs in that direction.

Next I took Flossie to the track and that is where she really wanted to expend her energy.
I allowed her to run it off at a fast pace while I worked on relaxing my lower body and
shoulders. It also gave me the opportunity to work on my hand position as well as my elbows
and my head. Most of all I worked on feeling; the way Flossie moved beneath me through my
body contact in the saddle; my leg position, etc.

When I wanted a canter, all I had to do was use my aids. Because I took great pains to use
my seat, shoulders, and hands correctly, she picked the gait up as if she had been doing it
for years.

When we were done on the track, I took her into the shade for a rest, then we went back out
into the paddock. I had her zig-zagging across the field from one end to the other. I had
her trotting and cantering in a straight line from end to end. I worked specifically on my
seat, my legs, and my hands, and I also worked on feeling.

At times my seat was not what I wanted, but at other times it was better than I could have
ever imagined. I feel I am making progress, and because I am, so is Flossie. She responds
so well to me when I'm doing things right, that she encourages me to be at my best for
every stride.

Later, when I was in the paddock feeding carrots to all the horses, (there are six of them
at the moment; two colts, three mares, including Flossie, and a gelding), I had the
opportunity to touch the colts. They both allowed me to rub their foreheads for as long as
I wished. They used to pull away after only a few strokes. They both even allowed me to
rub them down the side of their necks. That is a first.

At one point BamBam was separated from the rest of the herd by quite a distance. I started
calling to him as though he were a collie. He perked up his ears and whinnied to me. Then
he started towards me. Bambi only allowed him to come so close, though, before she
intervened. It was the cutest thing and totally unexpected. I had no idea how he would
respond to my call. Both colts are really getting to know me and to feel comfortable with
me.