Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 192nd Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 192nd LESSON

The grader arrived at Des’ at the same time I did this morning. I was going to wait
until he had finished working on the track before riding, but Des told me to go ahead and
ride on the grass. He said it would take the man at least two hours to finish. I
wouldn’t have minded the wait, but I also didn’t mind riding right away, either. I knew
it would be a challenge with the machine working away along the edges of the paddock, but
I was up for it and so was Flossie.

After tacking her up, I walked Flossie in hand around the arena to get her used to the
environment where I would be riding her. When I mounted, and took her through her paces,
she was as good as gold. She didn’t mind the vehicle working on the muddy areas near the
road, nor in the area near the Rail Road track, she just accepted all the commotion even
when Pat and Gary walked through the paddock to watch the progress taking place on the
track. She did balk occasionally, however, when the grader clanged and beeped while it
changed locations, or if she thought I was asking her to get too close.

I had her cantering on the track in both directions between the two muddy spots upon
which the grader was concentrating the entire time I was in the saddle. She needed to
let off steam because she was feeling good, for one thing, and she had a lot of energy,
and riding in the arena takes a lot of focusing and deliberation, especially in the
corners. It was too damp to canter in circles on the grass, but the track was just
right. I had her at a nice speed, regardless of the direction we were traveling. She
was very obedient, until we got too close to the area where the machine was working, then
she wanted to put on the brakes.

When the grader was finished with the muddy area near the road, I dismounted and walked
Flossie along the track where it had been since the ground was passable by then. She
didn’t want to go, but I persuaded her to follow me, anyway. Then I mounted and rode her
along that area while the machine continued to work on the other muddy spot near the Rail
Road track.

I stayed in the saddle longer than I normally do, but I had her standing for longer
periods of time, too. For one thing, one of Des’ friends from Jimboomba wandered by as I
was riding in the paddock and we stopped to have a chat. Bambi even sauntered over for a
pat and the man was happy to oblige. He asked me what kind of riding I do, Western or
dressage, and I told him at the moment I’m just working on getting Flossie used to all
the commotion in her environment. It’s been a long time since I’ve focused on what kind
of riding I’m doing at any given time.

I only had to touch-up Flossie’s left front hoof with putty since the other was okay.
Usually, it’s the right hoof that needs the attention. I also put some dressing on her
front hooves only since they seem to wear more than her hind feet. I accidentally went
over the putty I had just applied. I had meant to avoid it. Oh well, it’s happened
before and it didn’t seem to make any difference.

Pat finished putting the new fences up for his horses. He just needs to get the gates
done now. His horses will be arriving on Wednesday or Thursday this week.

I have a feeling I’ll be working around trotters all winter, what with three boarders
now. Although they start early, they work later in the morning during the winter months
because of the cold and the dark. We’ll all be on top of each other once Pat starts
working his trotters, too. I don’t see how it can be avoided.

I gave Des a small bag of Regal’s Golden Sweet Corn. It’s a ball-shaped snack, like
cheese balls, but tastes just like corn-on-the-cob. I purchased the bag at an Asian
grocery store. I hope he likes them. I also gave him a bottle of lemon, lime and soda
because I know it’s his favorite.

Rain is coming Wednesday and Thursday, but for the sake of the track, I hope it stays dry
for a while. Once the horses start tramping over the wet ground, it’ll be turned into
mush again in no time. I think that’s why Des didn’t want me to wait for the grader to
finish before I rode, and highly suggested I should ride on the grass while he worked,
instead. I hope he didn’t mind my walking Flossie over the track near the road. I
didn’t make any dents anywhere as I may have if I had been trotting or cantering her
there.