Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 158th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 158th LESSON

What a day for a ride! Rain clouds blanketed the sky for most of the morning, but every
forecast promised they would clear up, leaving a bright, sunny day in their wake, and that's
just exactly what happened. We had some rain last night which made the track dark brown and
smooth to ride on. Gary was done working BamBam again today just as I mounted, so, again,
for the second week in a row, I had the entire track to myself except for the three laps
Gary took pulling the drag around behind his truck. There was neither dust, nor mud, so the
track was in perfect condition.

Along with the rain last night, some areas also got two inches of hail. Luckily all we saw
were streaks of lightning now and then. However, the thunder was outrageous. One clap was
so loud and so sudden Norm and I both jumped and hit our heads on the ceiling. (Not
literally, of course). I'm sure Flossie experienced some of that thunder last night, too,
because she started out rattled. She didn't want to go by the cluster of trees near the
track closest to the old railroad track on the other side of the fence where the bulldozers
and other heavy equipment was hard at work this morning. I got her past, though, without
too much effort. Then, while I had her in the corner near the barn where we circle every
week, while I was looking around, watching for Gary and BamBam, she must have seen someone
at the barn, or heard something because she freaked sideways. I lost my stirrups and my
seat for a fraction of a moment, but I was able to recover quick enough to take control over
the situation. If I had been paying attention, that would have never gotten so out of hand
in the first place.

All-in-all, Flossie gave me an excellent ride, taking the bit on the circle, giving me a
nice smooth canter at a slow pace, and, then again, later in a straight line. She cantered
slowly on the track for me as well the first time around. While Gary dragged the track
around us, I had her working in the circle, coming close to the track just as Gary was going
by. She didn't even bat an eye; she continued to obey and stayed on the circle as if we do
this every day.

While I was cooling Flossie out in the driveway, a courier came up behind us looking for
Des. I love when things like that happen because I can incorporate the unexpected into
Flossie's training. The driver was considerate and kept his van at a nice slow and quiet
pace so as not to spook Flossie.

Des told me Liz is coming home from the hospital today. He had an old walker he doesn't
need any more which he gave to Liz to use while she recovers. I still don't have any
particulars about what happened. Des said she'll probably be down again one day. I can't
see it, myself, but you never know. According to him, Billy won't let her stop working.
Perhaps one day I'll be able to talk to her myself and find out exactly what happened.

Paddle Pop King, Gary's gelding, is the bay horse that's been sharing the big paddock with
Bambi and Flossie since the little filly was put down. He's such a polite horse! He's a
joy to have around. Even the mares like him. He has such a nice demeanor about him. He's
gentle with both other horses and humans.

Des had a nurse coming to his home this morning to see how his leg is doing. He said it's
still not healing. I wonder what he expects the nurse to do for him.

I'll leave you here with this observation: You know it's spring when your black saddle pad
looks like a roan.