Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 242nd Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 242nd LESSON

Flossie greeted her workout this morning with frabjous joy! She was feeling the cool
weather and let me know about it as she flew around like a Thoroughbred looking for
roses. She did a lot of spooking today when I warmed her up at a walk first thing on the
track. It made me wonder what was going on around the paddock yesterday. I noticed the
lawn that surrounds the empty barn next to Des’ property had been mowed recently. Maybe
she had memories of the roaring mower and was expecting it to suddenly come jumping out
at her from out of nowhere, jaws snapping, claws extended.

Bambi, too, was spooky when I led her around the track in hand after my ride on Flossie.
I found out what sets her off when she’s coming around the bend in the track that’s
closest to the road when I walk her in hand to the left. It’s the big white pipe that’s
lying in the grass between the fence that runs along the new road and the track. I
walked her up to it today so she could see what it was. She still tried trotting circles
around me when we went by it, but at least I know what the problem is now.

I put the bridle on Bambi again today, but this time I had her wearing it for the very
first time while I walked her in hand around the track. She keeps mouthing the bit but
it doesn’t keep her mind off spooking. When she gets startled, she bends her knees so
much that her belly nearly touches the ground. She doesn’t try running off, though, just
bends those flexible knees of hers as if she’s trying to duck. Won’t she be fun to
ride!!!

I asked Pat that if he’s around when that day comes, if he wouldn’t mind lunging Bambi
with me on her before I try taking her around the track. I won’t have a small area to
work her in the way I did when I was first riding Flossie, since that area is now where
Gary has his horses stabled. Pat said he’d do that for me.

When I first arrived at Dessyland today, Jack, the ten-year-old boy I’ve mentioned before
in other emails, was working his pony on a gig. It was so cute watching such a little
driver and his equally little pony go zipping by! I couldn’t tell which one was having
the most fun.

I have nothing more to say, so I’m going to have to close here. I can still hear the
clip-clopping of Flossie’s hooves on the hard winter ground, and feel each one pounding
beneath me as if I were still in the saddle. I’ll take these memories to bed with me
tonight. O frabjous joy!