Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 118th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 118th LESSON

Flossie and I were a real team this morning! My legs have gotten so strong that all I need
to do is clench my calf muscles and she responds. Of course she's a sensitive horse,
anyway, so it never took much on my part to get her to respond to me to begin with.

I was at my peak in the saddle today and Flossie was at the height of her performance. We
worked like a well-oiled machine. Our timing, balance, control, were impeccable.

While I was riding today I gave myself a pat on the back for making such a nice riding horse
out of this Standardbred mare! No one else can take the credit for that! Of course Flossie
has a lot of innate talent, but it's good to know I've added something to that, and
not subtracted.

She was feeling good! She felt strong and was so willing I didn't worry too much about
working her too hard. I rode for an hour, but only worked her hard for the first twenty
minutes.

I love it when I get what I want out of a horse via subtle aids. She yields so willingly
and so well to just a tiny bit of movement on my part. It's unbelievable, really.

BamBam was feeling good, too. He wanted to chase Flossie around the track, but I put a stop
to that. So, instead, he started galloping next to us while we were just trotting along on
the track. Flossie knew he was there, but she ignored him and listened to my every command.
It was kind of fun running alongside the colt like that. Even his mother, Bambi, wanted in
on the exercise and at one point the two of them took off at a canter. There's nothing
I like better than to be under a perfect sky, in a temperate wind, on a horse with loose
horses running around in the paddock with us.

When I'm walking Flossie in hand and BamBam comes up behind, she nudges me on the back
to let me know so I can chase him away. Thankfully he listens to a yell, or a wave of my
arm.

I think Des has been applying some medication on Flossie's coat because the rain-rot she
got a few months back has been getting progressively worse. The reason I believe Des has
been putting something on it is because she has white marks on her flanks and barrel that
run down her hips and legs like something liquidy would if it had been spilled down her
back. What else could it be?

I've written a prayer list and asked the Lord to help Des wean BamBam from the big
paddock before it's too late. I also asked the Lord to get someone to mend the fence
that's down in Des' paddock. It has me worried the horses will escape one day and
run out into the road and get injured or killed. I hope these prayers will get answered
before it's too late.

I'm also worried about Flossie's health. I'm wondering if I've been working
her too hard too soon because last week and this week I heard her make a noise that sounded
like how a snotty nose sounds when you snort. Sort of rattly. That doesn't sound good,
does it? Both times she was pacing at the time with me in the saddle. She doesn't have
a snotty nose, though, nor does she breathe with any difficulty. I'm trying to figure
out what this might mean, if anything. She's never made the sounds before, so I'm
keeping an eye on her.