Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 134th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 134th LESSON

Workmen in bright green shirts were working next to the fence that surrounds Flossie's
paddock this morning. They were in the very same spot the man who was spraying trees was in
last week. Once again, of course, Flossie thought the boogyman was out to get her. So,
instead of fighting her this time, I took her straight to the corner of the paddock and did
some circles for a while in both directions. I was able to get her on the bit and into a
'work mode' before asking her to go past those scary men again. By the time she was
ready for the track, she was giving all her attention to me instead of to those work men.

Gary put a new gate in so the front yard can be reached without having to go up and down the
shedrow now. So I took Flossie into the front yard through that gate for the first time
today. Instead of leading her in hand down the driveway, I rode her towards the street.
She was hesitant, but obedient nevertheless. When we reached the street, I had her stand
for a good long while. She had been nervous, but after a while she settled down.

She's been working stronger than ever for me lately. For the past, oh I'd say about
three or four weeks now, she's been working harder and longer, and with more
determination than ever before.

I put a neck strap on her so I could practice standing in the stirrups at a walk and trot,
but the track was a little bit too wet for that today. It was slick in certain places, but
not dangerously so. Still, it wasn't the best footing for working on something new. I
still stood when I could, but I didn't get the full workout I had intended.

BamBam and Blaze love their carrots as much as ever. I love running my hand down their
winter-thick necks, for their coats feel so substantial. Thick, and velvety.

Bot flies are out again now so it's back to the bot knife I go. How quickly the season
has come around again!

Did I ever tell you I love hanging around the horses? Just standing with them, grooming
them, staring into their eyes, running my hands all over them, talking softly to their fuzzy
bitty ears?