Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 112th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 112th LESSON

I didn't think I was going to get a ride on Flossie today because when I mounted, she
totally refused to go. She planted her feet like a mule and refused to move.

I put my spurs on and got her to circle and to back up, but she would not go forward. I was
worried I wasn't going to get her to cooperate at all, but I persisted, and, eventually,
she walked forward. She never refused again, the entire ride. I don't get it because
she worked like a gem. She did everything I wanted at a nice pace, not too fast or too
slow. She never disobeyed me or even hinted at quitting on me.

I varied her workout considerably since I thought maybe she's getting bored with the
same old routine (although I vary it every week, today I made it a point to really change
things). We still circled at every gait, and worked on the track and in the paddock. In
the paddock, I put her in the 'arena' and had her halting in every corner. I had
never asked her to do that before and she seemed to enjoy the change.

My seat has improved so much in the past four weeks. My aids have become more subtle than
ever and, consequently, so have Flossie's responses. She moves so smoothly and so
steadily. She takes the bit better than ever; she even sets her own head, and when I ask
for a canter from a pace or a trot, she flows into it with nice, perfect strides! My legs
seem to literally melt into her sides as if they are growing from her body.

I still need a lot of improvement and I can see my foibles and I know where I'm still
weak, but I have been progressing steadily ever since I started exercising. I keep changing
the exercises, too, as I improve, so many of the ones I had started out with have been
modified somewhat to fit my new body and my new needs.

Norm has noticed a difference in my posture; the way I hold my shoulders; the way I move. I
can feel it, too, when I walk and when I ride. My seat is entirely different now. Some
days it's better than others, but it keeps getting better. When it's not as good as
it should be, it's never as bad as it used to be. So I guess that's a definite step
in the right direction!

Posting Flossie's trot is improving, too; I can keep her going comfortably for a longer
period of time. She loves to trot and seems to enjoy herself as she goes. She always feels
relaxed at that gait no matter how badly I'm riding her. As long as I stay off her
mouth, which is not difficult for me, she'll go forever if I let her.

I hope she doesn't pull the same stunt on me next week, though. I feel as though
I'm abusing her when she doesn't want to work with me. This experience today,
however, really hit home to me how much a rider depends upon the cooperation of her mount
whenever she throws a leg over her back. We can't do it alone. Everything depends upon
the horse's willing attitude and voluntary obedience.

I gave Des a couple cans of creamed rice because I know he loves the stuff. I only gave him
two cans, and both are just single servings, because I know he's watching his weight,
but I noticed today that he's put some weight back on again since his operation.

Norm suggested he'd like to talk to Des about joining his fitness group. He started up
a session on Tuesday mornings now with his weight club at the Logan River Parklands. He met
with three of his members today while I was riding and they all had a great time!

I played with BamBam in the paddock and had a good time with the little guy. I was tossing
sticks and rocks into the air and letting them drop near him. He watched with such
fascination! Then he'd walk over to them and investigate. I tried to get him to run
with me, but I got his mother going too and she just herded him away so I quit that.

I took a piece of cellophane and crumpled it up. He really liked that sound and came right
up to me and sniffed it all over as I kept moving it around in my hand. He let me touch him
with it on the nose, the forehead, and down the side of his neck. Flossie got interested,
too, and had to come over to take a look. She sniffed the paper as I crinkled it under her
nose. She lost interest in the it, though, long before BamBam did.

I had a hair clip with me, so I started to click it open and shut for BamBam's
amusement. He was so curious! He seemed to enjoy the sound and never took his eyes off it
as long as I kept it clicking.