Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 142nd Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 142nd LESSON

When I first arrived at Des' this morning, I had thought I had made a mistake and shouldn't
have come. The track was damp and extremely muddy where it's lowest near the road. I
thought I'd just take it easy on Flossie. I talked to Des and told him that, but he said
the guys have been working their horses on the track (that's why there were ditches near the
road where the tires had dug into the mud) and they didn't have any problems. So I told him
I'd get on Flossie and see how it goes. I'm glad, as it turns out, that the track was in
good shape, after all, because Flossie was in high spirits. We flew around the track until
we came to the mud near the road, which we tip-toed through, then kept going on the other
side. She shied only once on the track near the barn where the bogeyman lives, but I was
able to keep her going. I couldn't work her on the grass, though, because it was still too
wet and I didn't want to have her slipping. She's so fit and so capable now, I used her
exaggerated speed to work on slowing down.

After my ride, I rode her down to the end of the long driveway. She wanted to meander all
the way up to the road. That's how comfortable she's getting with being there now. The
neighbor, who shares part of Des' driveway, has a pile of wooden pallets up against the
fence. Flossie approached them with caution, nose down, curious, but on her guard. She
sniffs things when she's not sure about them, and that's just what she did with these
pallets. Last week, I had forgotten to mention, she spied a long skinny stick on the ground
and stopped just long enough to pick it up. I thought that was rather comical. I've never
had a horse do that with me before.

I told Des I'd phone him from now on if I ever stop by in the evenings again. I told him
about Norm's fitness programs on Monday and Wednesday nights. Isn't it propitious for me
that the classes are held so close to Flossie's paddock?

I gave Flossie a good grooming, as always, and treated her hooves with the grease I've been
applying every week now for quite some time. I also got rid of all the bot fly eggs on her
front legs. That's a never-ending chore.

When I got home I checked the latest weather report. Monday is calling for clouds, but no
rain between now and then. That's good, not only for my next scheduled ride, but also for
the market this weekend. Last week it poured and we had to stay home.