Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 113th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 113th LESSON

Flossie, my Flossie, was a dream on the track at every gait in both directions. I
didn't have a problem getting her to go today. She stepped right out and never balked
once. Even when things were scary around her, she kept on going. She gives scary things a
turn of her ear, but that's about it. She doesn't even slow down or swerve off the
track. Although I was wearing them, I never once had to use my spurs, and the dressage whip
I used only sparingly, which is normal.

As wonderful as she was on the track, though, that's how lackadaisical Flossie was in
the paddock when I had her working in the 'arena' and when I had her doing circles.
She just wasn't herself. I guess every horse is entitled to an off day performance-wise
once-in-a-while.

Only BamBam liked the horse treats I bought last week. Flossie wasn't interested in the
least. Bambi ate half of one and Billy's gelding that lives in the paddock next to the
yard bobbed his head up and down before spitting it out onto the ground. BamBam thought
they were the greatest thing since mother's milk and couldn't get enough of them.
They're small, but I only gave him five.

I put the new hoof grease I bought Flossie on her today for the first time. Not only does
it make her hooves black, but it makes everything else it comes in contact with black as
well. It's good stuff though and I don't need as much of it as I did the other
stuff I had before.

Flossie squeals when I touch her on the face whenever she comes into season. This is how I
can tell every time. Mary, my former instructor, tells me not to let her get away with
treating me like just another horse; she says I shouldn't let her squeal at me. If you
let a horse treat you like a horse, eventually it becomes dangerous. Since I don't have
to smack her to get her to obey, I yell at her. Her squeals get less and less. I'm
hoping eventually they'll stop altogether.