Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 232nd Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 232nd LESSON

Just when I had thought I was done with the power machines at Des’ place I arrived this
morning to find them alive and well ripping trees out of the ground on the other side of
the railroad tracks near the Woodlands behind the stalls at Dessyland. I didn’t mind
that they were there so much, since they weren’t really a threat to my ride, but I did
mind the way they robbed me of the silence I so dearly enjoy.

I mounted Flossie in the yard this morning instead of walking her in hand to the road the
way I have been doing in the past. Just as I had suspected, she behaved as though a
bogeyman was going to jump out at her with every step. Still, she went around the track
at every gait in both directions without balking just as pretty as you please. She
didn’t give me any grief on the track near the new road, either, even though some huge
vehicles came by once in a while making a lot of noise.

I lengthened my stirrups and the difference brought my head forward and moved my legs
back. It took some getting used to. I found them to be a very satisfactory length and I
was pleased that I didn’t have to keep reaching for them at every stride as I was afraid
I might.

I still can’t get over how strong a body needs to be in order to ride a horse properly.
I can see how out of condition I am, after my month-long trip to India. Even some of the
exercises I do before I ride every week are difficult now. I’m hoping that once I win
the battle over the Giardia bug I caught in India I’ll be myself again.

Flossie didn’t do well on the circle today and since I wasn’t up to it, I let it go this
week. I am hoping I’ll be able to get after her more next week once my body is stronger
and I’m no longer feeling the ill effects of the parasites I’ve been carrying around with
me for 22 days. Still, all-in-all, I did enjoy my ride more today than I did last week.

Flossie’s hooves didn’t show any signs of thrush this week. Although not surprised, I
was still pleased to find them just as clean and dry and odorless as ever.

When I cooled Flossie out by taking her for a walk down the driveway, two men on small
3-wheelers were racing around the paddock next door. Flossie started to back up and turn
as they came by so I had to holler at them to slow down. I found out later they were
Government workers looking for fire ants. You and I both know those men won’t be there
next week, but I know without a doubt Flossie will be on the lookout for them the next
time I ride her down the driveway.

The bot flies are terrible this year. On Flossie, the insides of both front legs were
covered with the yellow eggs and I had to scrape them off with a knife. Last year there
were only a few eggs and I only had to use the knife once all season. I have a feeling
that won’t be the case this year.

Des is coming down with a cold. He said he had an appointment this afternoon to see his
doctor about his legs. I told him he’ll have to let me know what he says.

Pat told me had had bronchitis while I was in India last month. Pat is no spring
chicken, and bronchitis can be very serious. He said he had a severe case of the
sickness, so I’m glad he pulled through as well as he did.

Yesterday, my doctor warned me that the medicine he prescribed for the parasites I picked
up in India would make me feel nauseous. They didn’t affect me that way yesterday, but
they sure did today. I’m so glad I waited until after my ride to take them. I only have
one more day’s worth of medication so next week I should be back to normal again!