Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 121, 122, and 123 Lessons

FLOSSIE'S 121st LESSON

I was surprised when the forecast called for rain during the afternoon today. I decided to
take advantage of the dry morning and went for a ride.

Flossie and her paddock pals were very lethargic this morning. I'll bet it's
because of the 90 degree heat we had all last week. They were wilting under the branches of
the trees when I arrived. Everything was moist because of the rainy cloud coverage
we've been under for days. Although the temperature was not as hot today for a change,
it was still rather muggy.

In spite of being a bit sluggish, however, Flossie was obedient, nevertheless. Did I ever
mention that instead of stopping entirely when she's frightened of something, nowadays
it's easy to keep Flossie going just by using my legs, my crop, and my voice. It
doesn't take as long to get her past something any more. I'm thinking that
eventually she won't do much more than turn an ear and just keep on going.

When I say I use the crop, what I mean is, I tap her on the legs with it. That's all
she needs to get her going. I don't even have to paddle her bottom.

I felt it was time for a change, so I devised some new exercises for Flossie to do today.
She gets flustered when I introduce new things sometimes because she doesn't have a
routine to follow any more. The exercises involved transitions and straight lines that took
her off and then back on the track again. She enjoys using her head, but she still gets out
of sorts when I introduce new things that involve working in other avenues than what
she's used to.

I had some cherry flavored candy canes with me this morning which I had picked up at the
last Toastmaster's meeting I attended with Norm in Stone's Corner last week. I
offered one to Flossie and she took it, but when she realized it wasn't a carrot, she
didn't want it. I tried some out on Billy's geldings and most of them loved the
candy. One of his mares put her nose up to it but the other, the one with the filly, took
it and munched out as if it were the best thing she ever had.

I offered a carrot to the filly, but as she wrapped her teeth around it, she struck out with
her front legs and hit the fence with her hooves. It took a lot of convincing and coaxing
on my part to get her to come close enough to even touch the carrot. Because of her
attitude, I didn't even try to give her a piece of candy.

We're in for rain all week but who cares now that I got my ride in.

FLOSSIE'S 122nd LESSON

Des had his house painted over the week. It used to be yellow but now it's a nice blue
with white trim. I took a photo of it, so as soon as I get it uploaded, I'll share it
with you. If you'd like, I could send a before picture so you can compare. It looks so
much better and so fresh and new!

I worked Flossie hard for the first half hour of her lesson this morning. She was strong,
feeling good, and wanting to go. I can't find a single thing to fault her on. She was
obedient and willing. What else can I ask for?

I had her trotting the entire track going to the right, which is a first. I usually
can't take the gait that long. She loves to trot, though, so it did her some good to
stay on the gait for so long.

BamBam tried following us when we first rode past him, so I had to turn Flossie around and
swing my dressage whip in the air at him with a whoosh and yell "git!" He got the
picture and retreated immediately. He never bothered us again, unless you count the time he
came galloping up to us head-on while we were on the track and he was on the grass beside
it. Flossie and I both ignored him so he quit that caper too.

I gave Des $30 worth of basa fish (a type of catfish)which Norm and I picked up at the
butcher's on our way to ride to show my appreciation for his allowing me to ride Flossie
every week. Of course he said I didn't have to do that! Ha! I know he appreciated it,
though.

Des has assured me he is not moving to be near his daughter! Now that the holiday is upon
us, I had to ask him about his plans since he said he'd be leaving this Christmas if he
was leaving at all. This certainly is good news for me and Flossie!

FLOSSIE'S 123rd LESSON

I tried to ride Flossie this morning, but she was lame. I had thought, at first, she was
just stiff, so I worked her for a while, hoping it would loosen her up, but she only got
worse. When I got off I checked her all over. She had nothing in her feet (I had cleaned
them before mounting) and there wasn't any heat in her legs, but there was some swelling
in her left hind gaskin that went around behind where the hamstring is. I told Des and he
said Bambi probably gave her a swift kick. He assured me she'll be okay by next week,
so that's what I'm praying for in the name of Jesus. I even had Norm help me pray
for her salubrity.

Billy was down while I was riding. He clipped off some branches on a tree that were hanging
directly over the track so low I'd have to swerve to avoid them, so I was glad to see
them go. Flossie never minded those branches when they were swinging around in the trees,
but once they got chopped off, suddenly they became spooky. I had to dismount and walk her
up to them so she could see what they were. She was fine after that.

Billy was working on the little outdoor stall he's building for one of his mares. He
was pounding away on the roof most of the time while I was there. I was proud of Flossie
every time we went by because she didn't even bat an eye. (Branches lying on the
ground, now, that's obviously something to spook about!)

Horses! Who understands them?

Des said he'll keep an eye on Flossie during the week, but I'm already planning to
phone him after Christmas to see how she's doing. He won't be home Christmas day,
because he's staying overnight at his daughter's.

Billy told me Des told him that Des is going to have BamBam halter-broke and trained for the
track so he'll be leaving as soon as the trainer comes for him. I don't know when
that'll be, but if he doesn't come after the holidays, I'm going to ask Des
about it.

Billy also told me that it was Des' wife who told Des not to move at the end of this
year. He said she has a lot of clout about what Des does and doesn't do. He told me
she's a very wealthy woman.

A while back Des told me his wife phones him every day and that they get along much better
than they ever did when they lived together. Des also told me she'll be celebrating the
holiday with him at his daughter's. He said his entire family always gets together over
Christmas.

Des told me he's been having acupuncture treatment for the slipped disc in his back. He
said he's had six so far and he's just now finally able to sleep. Up until now the
pain has been so bad it's been keeping him awake at night.

The weather was perfect for riding today and Flossie had been feeling good. I just know we
would have had a wonderful ride if she had been sound.