Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 119th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 119th LESSON

I had plans to work Flossie harder today since she's totally over the flu, but I
didn't have to make the choice, myself. She did. She was feeling so good she
couldn't contain herself. I usually take her around the track at a walk just to warm
her up, but today she wouldn't have it. I took her around in one direction, holding her
back without protest on her part. She was responsive to me and did as she was told. Then I
turned her around.

I asked her to move on when she stopped to spook at something, and that was all she needed.
When I asked for a canter, she was off like a shot. Instead of pulling her down as I have
been doing for the past three weeks, I let her go. She flew around the entire track before
I slowed her down to a trot. She was strong! I knew she was going to be feeling good,
though, as soon as I brought her up to the yard to be tacked.

Billy brought in another mare with a foal to the premises and throughout the entire ride all
the horses were conversing, including Flossie. Bambi and her colt, BamBam, were tearing
around the paddock while I was riding Flossie. Flossie knew they were there and I could
tell she wanted to run with them, but her attention never wavered from me.

As far as the weather goes, it was dry and cloudy with intermittent sunshine. The track was
in perfect shape. I had phoned Des before I went down and he said he didn't get all the
rain we got in the past few days. The paddock looks great, though! It's a lush green
and the dam is high again. The water looks so inviting. There are always a few ducks about
when I ride.

At the moment the wind has picked up and I can hear it screaming around the corners of the
house. The sun is bright, the clouds are few, and the scene from my window is as pretty as
a picture!

As the week wears on, we're supposed to get more rain again. I think I picked the best
day out of the week for a ride.