Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 213th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 213th LESSON

Flossie is getting so used to having to work around men and their monster machines that
the most she did today was either hesitate for a second when one came too close, or she
simply gave it a wide berth. Either way, she kept going and never offered to balk. I
worked on keeping her on the track by turning her head away from the machines and the
noise and bending her body towards them even as she’s working as hard as she can to stay
as far from them as she can. I had her at a nice slow canter on the track, and, later,
even while circling, she gave me a slower canter than before. Probably about the same
speed as last week.

I took my camera with me again this week and managed to get myself on film riding Flossie
for the very first time. Since the shutter release button has to remain engaged while
filming, I put a small wooden block on the button and used a rubber band to secure it in
place. It worked like a charm. I set the zoom for wide so I could get as much of the
circle in the view finder has possible. The trouble is, as it turned out, the zoom
proved to be too wide and Flossie and I came out looking like tiny dots cantering around
the outside of the lens field.

Today was the first day I ever trotted Flossie in a complete circle. She usually ends up
pacing around the circle, which makes it easy for me to ask for a canter. Since I don’t
sit her trot, I have to bring her down to a walk before I can ask for the canter. I’m
hoping that one day I’ll just start sitting her trot without thinking about it. After
all, that’s how I started posting it!

The “goat guy” was leaving his driveway when I had Flossie at the end of Des’, so we
waved to each other before he drove off. That’s the first time I had seen him since the
goats were loose.

When I led Flossie up to the wash rack, she never hesitated and went right up and walked
across the bricks without a hitch. I was going to take a photo of her in the wash rack
all wet from the hose but Pat’s horse was waiting his turn and I didn’t want to be any
longer than I had to be. Maybe I’ll get another chance next week.

Flossie lifted her hind leg as if to kick when I went to clean her hoof while I was
grooming her after our ride, and I had to get tough with her. I smacked her on her butt
with my fist and then I gave her a swift kick and yelled, “Hey! Don’t you ever do that
to me!” After that, every now and then I stopped to pick up her hoof just to see how
she’d respond and she was as good as gold. She’s been testy with that leg for a while,
so I was half expecting something like this to happen sooner or later.

Gary told me he’s going to keep the new pony he just purchased after all since he’s going
well for the kids. He still doesn’t have a name for him yet.

I mentioned to Pat how Flossie’s hooves are getting ragged again and he said he had just
noticed that, himself, and mentioned to Des how he’s going to have to trim them again.
He promised me he’ll do it tomorrow. So the next time I go to ride Flossie, she’ll have
nicely trimmed hooves again!

I spent a lot of time with Gary's three ponies today. I really like Percy. He's the
cute creamy-colored pony. He likes to put his nose against me and just leave it there.
He'll blow in my ear forever and will stand like a statue when I blow in his nostrils.
He's still shy about being approached, though, but I can see, by his temperament, he's
going to be fine once he gets used to having me around.