Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 246th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 246th LESSON

When I arrived at Des’ this morning, I had the entire place to myself. Even the power
machines by the railroad tracks next to Des’ property were motionless. There wasn’t a
soul in sight. In fact, there was nothing moving, and there were no sounds other than
the occasional call of a bird, or the susurrus sound of a magpie’s wing over my head.
(One was dipping pretty low for some reason and swept down about five times).

Flossie was obedient for me both on the track and on the circle and I have no real news
to talk about in that regard. She was a little spooky here and there, but it was simple
spooking and all in fun.

Just as I took her off the track, all-of-a-sudden, the whole place sprung into action.
From total silence, it went to total chaos, and there were people and horses and ponies
everywhere! Gary stood by the sidelines as his daughter, Hannah, worked one of their
geldings on the gig. This was her first go with a full-grown horse, for she’s only raced
ponies up until now.

Amanda, Hannah’s friend, and her mother were leading horses and ponies, Pat had Princess
in tow, Jack had his pony in hand, and there were several people I didn’t know milling
around all over the place. Since it’s Saturday, they were preparing to take their
horses, and three ponies, to the races. I’m so glad Flossie is such a good girl, for I
had to lead her, mount her, ride her, and groom her in and amongst all the action as I
cooled her off with a ritualistic stroll down the driveway. She acted as though she does
it all the time.

I didn’t do anything with Bambi today because Des went to the races with everybody else
and I didn’t think I should work Bambi if no one was going to be there in case I needed
help. I wasn’t sure I was going to work with her today, anyway, even before I left the
house this morning. The plan was to play it by ear. If it had been more favorable I
might have done something with her.

Just as the trucks and trailers were rumbling down the driveway to the race track, rain
clouds moved in. Just like that. The sky had been bright and beautiful one minute, the
whole time I was riding, and then, in the blink of an eye, suddenly, it was grey with
clouds and no sky in sight. Just grey and dismal. The wind picked up at that time as
well, dropping the temperature by enough to feel the difference, and it was under those
conditions that I fed carrots to the remaining horses that were left behind. Which
weren’t many. I had purchased enough carrots for ten horses, but there were only four
horses to feed once everybody left. That means the remaining horses had a feast.

When I was lying in the paddock on my back waiting for my ride home, Bambi came up and
sniffed my hand before wandering off to graze again and Flossie just looked at me. Bambi
had probably been looking for more carrots and as soon as she was convinced that my hands
were empty, she wasn’t interested anymore. They’re getting used to having me lying
around their paddock again.

Two horses were whinnying back and forth for a while. I think one was calling for his
friends who had gone to the race track and the other was just responding to his cries. I
spent some time with the lonely beast and he settled down quickly enough.