Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 107th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 107th LESSON

I had a terrific ride on the Floss this morning. It's been only 40 degrees in the
mornings lately, but at Des' the temperature's not as cold. I had to wear a
T-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, and a winter jacket while in the saddle, however. As the time
went by, the air felt warmer and warmer, but neither Flossie nor I broke much of a sweat.
This is riding weather at its best!

Flossie started off with a nice, relaxed working spirit, head bent with a prominent curve in
her neck, but as we rounded the track where the bulldozers are building a housing
development next to Des' property, she suddenly looked up and I could tell she was going
to balk. Those tractors, etc, have been working next to Des' property for over a year
now, and they have never bothered her before. However, now that the trees closest to the
track have been disposed of, the open space offers a clear view of the heavy equipment and its every movement. Unfortunately, all the metal activity, coupled with the loud noises, translates into boogy-man to a horse.

I was quick on the draw and didn't let her come to a complete stop, however. I
immediately started her at a circle and kept working her in a circle until I knew I had her
attention. By the time I took her back to the track, she had completely forgotten all about
the bulldozers, and she never placed a false step again no matter the direction or the gait.

Later on I had her doing circles in the corner of the paddock that's located directly
across from the other building site where the bulldozers and tractors, etc, sit passively
next to a nice neat mound of dirt, which, you may recall, have also spooked Flossie in the past. This corner goes along the road on one side, and next to the deserted barn in the pasture next to Des' on the other. We never circled there before, so it was something
new. I try to find new things to do every week.

Flossie was in a strange mood, attitude-wise. She was kind of all over the place. I'm
not sure if it was the way I was riding, or if she were just being goofy, or if it was a
little of both. We still managed to have a good time, though, and a good work-out in spite
of the challenges.

I managed to keep her at a trot clear around the track. I also had her cantering clear
around the track. I love this cool weather because I can ride her for long stretches at a
time without the worry of over-doing it because of the heat and humidity.

While circling in the paddock, I worked on doing half-passes and managed to get her to take about three steps for me going left. Whenever I have her doing something different that requires thought and effort, she either jumps right to it and gets the job done, or she goes as though she's totally confused. Today she was confused, so when she willingly went into a half pass after only a couple of tries, I was delighted and let her 'off the
hook'. We'll pick it up again next week.

I chased BamBam around the paddock this morning on foot. He only ran a few steps from me, though, not like last week where I had him running in circles. So when he stopped, I started to run sideways around him while flapping my arms against my sides. He took off in a cloud of dust. He'd come back again, though, and face me, and if I just so much as blinked, he'd take off again. Flossie nickered and came over to help me watch him run.


When he finished running around, he became very inquisitive and wanted to make friends. I spread out on the grass beneath a tree and he came over and put his nose on my toe. I'm going to miss him when he leaves.

Des told me he almost sold Flossie. He had a man from NSW interested in her about four weeks ago, but he never came to take a look at her. The man owns trotters and a riding school which would be great for Flossie. Of course if she lived as far away as NSW I wouldn't get to see her again.

I told Des whenever I ride I always wonder if it'll be the last time. He reassured me
he's not going to sell Flossie any time soon. He really likes Flossie, which is good
news for me. I told Des how much I appreciate riding Flossie and he said she wouldn't
be doing anything, anyway. Besides, she's worth more to him now that she's been
trained to ride.

Unfortunately, before my conversation with Des, I had put my bridle where one of Billy's
geldings could get a hold of it and he chewed the reins and broke a keeper near the buckle.
It was entirely my fault; I knew it was too close to him in the first place so I have no one
to blame for the damage but myself. I thought since I would be around to keep an eye on
him, it would be okay. When I walked away, however, to talk to Des, I had forgotten to move
the bridle. I'll still be able to use it; he didn't chew through the leather, just
sort of dented it here and there along the length of it with his strong, sharp incisors.

Live, but never learn. I think, subconsciously, that's my motto.

In the meantime, Blaze is still in the big stall on Des' property getting hay twice a
day and plenty of fresh water. Not to mention his share of carrots whenever I'm around.
He's like a little wild colt at the moment. Can you believe Gary hasn't come down
to see him since he took him out of the paddock?