Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 163rd Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 163rd LESSON

I arrived early at Des' again this week. Elizabeth, or, Liz, (Billy's wife) was down. It's
the first time I've seen her since the accident she had with her gelding months ago. She
was using a cane, but she was getting around okay. She was with a friend, and since Billy
was nowhere around, I'm assuming I won't be seeing him every Monday morning anymore. Gary
and Dave were also down, but they had just finished working their horses on the track, so I
had the entire place to myself this morning! Before Gary left he told me Bambi's coming
back this Saturday. I wonder if Flossie will be glad to see her.

Once again, Flossie was full of pep and vinegar. She charged around the track like a
racehorse. I kept her going around and around until she had done three laps at the trot and
one at the canter without stopping before reversing and doing the same in the opposite
direction. I had her circling in the corner and then again in the "arena". I'm still
working on her canter on the circle. The weather was cool and still, then turned breezy
when it warmed up, so it never felt extremely hot. I love getting down early to ride in the
summertime! I hope I can keep this up all year.

Flossie's hooves are trimming themselves. Ever since I stopped putting hoof dressing on
them, they've been breaking up. A big piece broke off today. It was loose when I cleaned
her feet, but after she was in the paddock for a while on her own, I noticed that piece had
fallen off. Her hooves are still on the long side, so I don't think I'll be using the
dressing again anytime soon.

I spend a good deal of time with BamBam every week. He likes to have his neck scratched and
will stand forever while I run my hands up and down both sides of his crest near the
withers. He stretches his nose out and rocks a little bit, really getting into it. He lets
me run my hand down his face now without trying to bite me.

I filled up the little filly's water bucket again this afternoon before I left. (She's the
dark filly with the three white socks. I keep wanting to call her "Flash" because her white
feet make her look flashy, but I knew a horse by that name, so I'd like to come up with
something different). She took a few sips out of it while it was only an inch high, but
once I had it completely filled, she put her front foot in the bucket and started kicking
it around, splashing most of the water out onto the ground until I hollered for her to stop.
No wonder she never has water to drink! Pume on her!

Flossie's in season. She was nuzzling Paddle Pop King over the fence, as if he were a
stallion, and showing him she was interested. They groomed each other when they were facing
neck-to-neck, but when the gelding approached her from the rear, she squealed and picked up
her hind leg as if to kick. I'll bet he was glad there was a fence between them!