Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 96th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 96th LESSON

Flossie worked at a nice speed for me today; not too fast nor too slow. Well, that is until
we had been cantering for a while when she suddenly started to pick up speed until she was
going at a gallop. She was just feeling so good and since I was riding well, I went along
for the fun. And it was fun, too! She came right back down to a canter when I asked her
to. We worked on circling at a canter around the cones. I also had her circling off the
track every so many steps, first on one side of the track, and then on the other side. She
really enjoyed that exercise. She loves to circle, for one thing. Her little lips go a
mile a minute and she always finishes with a wet mouth.

When it was time to hand out the carrots, little Blaze was right there with the big girls.
When I give him a bite, I take advantage of his amicable deameanor to rub on his neck and
down his sides. Sometimes he's not as friendly about it as BamBam is. Speaking of
BamBam, I broke off a piece of carrot and offered it to him for the first time. He actually
took it and ate it, but he didn't come back for more.

I managed to give BamBam a good rub on both sides of his neck, down his back, and even his
hind quarters which was a first. I'm able to walk alongside him now and match his step
without his wanting to turn off to get away. He's getting used to my being around him
and is accepting me even when I'm a plague!

Later, Blaze was taking a snooze. He was lying on his side with his head on the ground. He
was actually trying to graze while he was lying there! It was so funny watching him pull
out the grass with the side of his mouth. I went to sit alongside him, not quite close
enough to touch. He allowed that, but when I stretched out next to him, his curiosity got
the best of him and he had to get up and come over to check me out. He just sniffed me all
over and then walked away.

It was a beautiful day! Sunny, with cheery cumulus lazily basking away in the sky making
shadows on the ground below for me to enjoy. Both Flossie and I were sweaty when we were
done working. I was surprised because it didn't feel hot at all, nor humid. Anyway,
we both cooled down fast in spite of her winter coat and my two layers of hats! (I wear a
baseball cap under my helmet to shade my eyes from the sun . . . besides, the cap makes my
helmet fit better).

I can't believe I had forgotten to mention the most exciting thing that happened during
my ride on Flossie! While we were galloping down the part of the track that runs closest to
the road, a car passed by at the same time, going in the same direction we were. For quite
some time we were running neck-and-neck. It was thrilling! And if truth were to be told, I
was elated that it was me in the saddle and not the driver behind the steering wheel
watching someone else on a horse riding beside me. It was a moment to treasure!