Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 172nd Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 172nd LESSON

I was able to ride at 6:30 this morning. Early showers were in the forecast, and
although it looked as though it would pour down any minute, it never did.

When I had Flossie circling in the corner near the road where I always work her, a woman
came walking by. She said something about the way Flossie wasn't sure about passing that
spot where the dry grass had been weeks ago (horses sure have good memories, don't they?)
Actually, Flossie was doing very well since she's becoming less and less shy around that
area, but I didn't mind the comment. I told the woman why Flossie was behaving that way
and she understood since she is also a horsewoman.

We got to talking and I found out her name is Lynn and she lives a few houses down the
street next to Des'. She has two horses, a five-year-old and an 18-year-old. She said
the older horse got kicked in the face by the younger horse, "with both
barrels", as she put it, not too long ago and has an injured jaw. She said as soon
as the horse heals, she plans to start riding him again.

She told me she has seen me riding Flossie on the track many times and asked me if I ever
ride her off the property. She said there are plenty of trails to ride on around Des'
place that go for miles. I've been praying for someone to ride with, and she said she's
been looking for someone to ride with since her daugher has lost interest! She promised
to get in touch with Des as soon as her horse is well enough to be ridden again so we can
get together and go down trail sometime.

I was going to mention Lynn to Des, since she's going to use him to get in touch with me,
but I only saw him once today, when he gave me the True Blue for Bambi's leg injuries,
and I didn't think to mention it to him at that time. I guess there's no real hurry. If
he'll let me ride Flossie down trail (and I don't see why he wouldn't), I will ride her
with Lynn. Otherwise, I'll have to ride one of her horses. (Which I wouldn't mind since
it's been so long since I've ridden another horse besides Flossie . . . although I would
love to take Flossie down trail! I think she'd be good and a lot of fun, too!)

Gary was just hosing BamBam down when I arrived this morning, and Dave was working five
horses around the track. By the time I had groomed and saddled Flossie, Dave was done,
so I had the entire track to myself.

Flossie seemed different today in her behavior and in her looks. She appeared washed
out, sort of, and her energy level wasn't as high as usual. She seemed out of sorts, but
she worked fine. Maybe the 90 degree weather we had recently has been taking its toll on
her. After all, she has nowhere to go when the sun's beating down, except under the
trees. I imagine that would get pretty monotonous after a while.

After applying the True Blue to Bambi's injuries, I took the time to claw a comb through
the tangled knots in her mane. It didn't take as long as I had expected it to. Maybe
that's because I used the concoction my former riding instructor suggested; baby oil,
vinegar, and conditioner.

By the time I was through, I had more loose mane in my hands than she had on her crest.
Every time I comb her mane I tell myself I'll keep it up, but for some reason I never do.
If I did, it would take a lot less maintenance.

When I was through with the horses, I swept the brick platform where Gary hoses BamBam
off after he's been worked, since it was full of dirt and horse manure. I like to keep
my tack in that area while I'm waiting for a ride home, since it's a shady spot and
located next to the shed where I change my clothes. I felt it would be a nice gesture on
my part to clean it up. No one else ever does.

I also borrowed a hammer and pulled some rusty nails out of a board Billy had put up on
one side of Gina's stall, which runs alongside the yard. (Gina is Billy's only mare).
Although the board wasn't in easy access to Gina, either Bambi or Flossie could have
easily gotten hurt on them while in the yard, for they were at horse-eye level. It's a
good thing I spotted them when I was tacking Flossie up this morning.

I wish I had gotten Lynn's phone number when we were talking earlier today. It would be
nice to chat on the phone before riding together. Maybe I'll see her again sometime
before then. I'll think about her, anyway, every time I circle Flossie in that corner
from now on!