My lessons with Flossie, a roan Standardbred mare |
FLOSSIE'S 170th LESSON It was a hot day today, but it was also cloudy, so when the breeze blew the clouds over to cover the sun, it didn’t feel so hot. That was a good thing since I didn’t get down to Des’ until 7:30 this morning. It takes exactly fifteen minutes to get Flossie from the paddock, groom her where the saddle goes, pick out her feet, spray her with repellent, and tack her up, so by 7:45 I was in the saddle, and the sun already had a bite in it. I had the entire track to myself since everyone else had been and gone by the time I arrived. At the very same time I mounted, the earth movers started their engines, so they were working in the field across the street at the same time I was riding. Flossie did pretty well for me in spite of that. She wanted to balk at two separate times, but both times I was able to keep her going. She started out unsure of herself, but after the first time around, she started to get into the swing of things. When I took her up to the corner to circle, she noticed the little tiny flags that were blowing in the wind around the property across the street where all the construction is going on. I didn’t have a hard time getting her to go past that obstacle, however, even though she didn’t want to go, yet she wasn’t dead set against the idea, either, for she easily allowed me to persuade her. However, as I was praising her up and down for obeying me, she suddenly flew into the air and leapt up so high I could see her head in the sky. I thought she was wanting to jump a cloud, she was so intent on escaping from whatever it was that had frightened her so. When she came back to earth again, I turned her around towards the fence and noticed a huge pile of dead grass lying on the path we use when we circle every week. It was out of place and stood out from the rich green grass that was growing all around like a splash of red paint on a white-washed fence. As it turned out, I was glad Flossie had called my attention to that pile of dead grass because I noticed there were dozens of loose strands of barbed wire draped around the pile, hanging off the fence, and lying right on the circle where I work Flossie. I had to dismount and clear them out. I also cleared out the pile of dead grass while I was at it so Flossie wouldn’t have any more excuses for not wanting to work on that side of the circle. I guess a city worker had thrown the wire into Des’ property when the grass between the road and the fence was being mowed recently. I spent the remainder of Flossie’s lesson working on getting her to pass that spot while staying on the circle. Each time around she got more relaxed with it. I even had her take some steps at a canter and was pleased she didn’t fall into the circle. I was ready for her with my leg, seat, and reins. When I kept her head and neck in the proper position as we rounded the bend towards that area, I found it easier to get her past that spot. At the end of my ride, Dave showed up. He told me that Des is at his daughter’s today, and had left yesterday morning, but will be coming home tomorrow and then driving back to her place again on Wednesday. I mentioned Bambi’s injured leg to him and he told me he had noticed it, too. It was open today and looked really bad. I asked him if he had anything we could put on it since Des wasn’t home to do it. I told him that Des had used a spray on the wound last week called True Blue and he said he had some of that, so he left the bottle for me so I could doctor Bambi’s injuries myself after I had cooled Flossie out. He was already late for a job interview, so he told me where to leave the bottle for him when I was done with it. I took care of Bambi when she came up to the fence for her carrots. I had to call her from the paddock. She came trotting up as fast as she could go, and Paddle Pop King broke into a fast canter right behind. I didn’t call him, but I guess he didn’t want to miss out on his share of the luscious treat, either. I gave everyone a carrot to keep them occupied, then threw Flossie’s halter on Bambi. I was able to spray the open wound beneath the front of her knee without any problem because she wasn’t suspecting a thing, but when it came to spraying the wound at the back of the knee, it was a different story. I didn’t want to risk wasting any of the precious medicine on a part of her leg that didn’t need it, so with my right hand on the trigger, I pointed the bottle at her leg, while holding onto the lead rope with my left hand. I kept pointing it there as she ran around me in a circle, knowing she’d have to stop eventually. When she did, I’d be ready for her. And that’s just exactly what happened! She stopped, I fired, and the deed was done before she knew it. Both Blaze and BamBam are back on Des’ property again. Of course I had to give them both a carrot, too! It was so good to see them again. They are both taller than they were when I saw them last. Blaze is still on the small side, however, and he’s awfully thin. I wonder if that’s why Gary brought him back to Des’, to fatten him up. |