Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 203rd Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 203rd LESSON

No one was using the track when I arrived at Dessyland to ride Flossie this morning. Pat
and Gary were both finishing up and were gone by the time I mounted so I had the entire
track all to myself.

The power machines were already in full force, although they weren’t working close to the
fence as they have been in the past. I walked Flossie in hand up to the area closest to
the new road that’s going in and mounted there as I have been doing lately.

I decided to start off going to the right just as a change of routine. I walked her for
a while then asked for a trot and as I brought her around for the first time near the
road, she came to a dead stop. It wasn’t in the spot where she usually stops, so I
wasn’t expecting it, which proves she knows I’m onto her tricks and was deliberately
trying to outsmart me.

As soon as she put the brakes on, I doubled her using the least amount of force. When
she didn’t respond to that, I doubled her harder. When she refused to go the second time
I dug my spurs in and cropped her hard on the rear end and put a roar in my voice. She
came promptly out of the double that time, threw her hind feet in the air, and shot down
the track, neither looking to the left nor to the right, and working her feet like
pounding drum sticks on the ground.

After three laps in that direction she stopped again, this time in a completely different
spot yet again. I knew she was testing me so I got right after her. It didn’t take as
much coaxing to get the job done this time, and she never stopped again after that.

She wanted to race at the trot so I worked my shoulders back and forth to slow her down,
which worked. At the canter I usually pull the reins and release them, repeating the
procedure when she picks up speed, and that works as well, but I didn’t need to use that
tactic today. She chose a nice speed and kept it all the way around.

After a half hour on the track, I took Flossie over to the corner of the paddock and
worked her there for a while. She wasn’t as quick to give me a canter on the circle this
week for some reason, but she was so good about staying on the rail, I didn’t force the
issue.

She was sweaty and the bit was wet when I dismounted. Her nose had the classic pretzel
scent and I couldn’t get enough of that warm, earthy smell. It’s one of my all-time
favorite horse smells.

It wasn’t as cold this morning as it has been the recent past. Consequently, Flossie is
starting to shed. I didn’t have to use the towel I normally throw over her back after I
wash it since the air was warm by then.

As for me, I didn’t have to bother with a jacket. I had on a T-shirt and a long-sleeved
shirt over that and was comfortable enough.

Gary brought a white Shetland pony down for his business partner, Sharon’s, kids, and
built a pen for it on Saturday. It’s an eight-year-old gelding and can be both ridden
and driven. The kids were down on Sunday and Des said every one of the kids had a turn
in the saddle and in the gig. He couldn’t remember what the pony’s name is, but I did
find out Pat’s pony’s name is KJ.

I can’t think of anything else to add to my experience today, so I guess this is it for
this week.

May all your trails be happy and Aussie ya af-tah!