Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 170th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 170th LESSON

It was a hot day today, but it was also cloudy, so when the breeze blew the clouds over
to cover the sun, it didn’t feel so hot. That was a good thing since I didn’t get down
to Des’ until 7:30 this morning. It takes exactly fifteen minutes to get Flossie from
the paddock, groom her where the saddle goes, pick out her feet, spray her with
repellent, and tack her up, so by 7:45 I was in the saddle, and the sun already had a
bite in it. I had the entire track to myself since everyone else had been and gone by
the time I arrived.

At the very same time I mounted, the earth movers started their engines, so they were
working in the field across the street at the same time I was riding. Flossie did pretty
well for me in spite of that. She wanted to balk at two separate times, but both times I
was able to keep her going. She started out unsure of herself, but after the first time
around, she started to get into the swing of things.

When I took her up to the corner to circle, she noticed the little tiny flags that were
blowing in the wind around the property across the street where all the construction is
going on. I didn’t have a hard time getting her to go past that obstacle, however, even
though she didn’t want to go, yet she wasn’t dead set against the idea, either, for she
easily allowed me to persuade her. However, as I was praising her up and down for
obeying me, she suddenly flew into the air and leapt up so high I could see her head in
the sky. I thought she was wanting to jump a cloud, she was so intent on escaping from
whatever it was that had frightened her so. When she came back to earth again, I turned
her around towards the fence and noticed a huge pile of dead grass lying on the path we
use when we circle every week. It was out of place and stood out from the rich green
grass that was growing all around like a splash of red paint on a white-washed fence.

As it turned out, I was glad Flossie had called my attention to that pile of dead grass
because I noticed there were dozens of loose strands of barbed wire draped around the
pile, hanging off the fence, and lying right on the circle where I work Flossie. I had
to dismount and clear them out. I also cleared out the pile of dead grass while I was at
it so Flossie wouldn’t have any more excuses for not wanting to work on that side of the
circle. I guess a city worker had thrown the wire into Des’ property when the grass
between the road and the fence was being mowed recently.

I spent the remainder of Flossie’s lesson working on getting her to pass that spot while
staying on the circle. Each time around she got more relaxed with it. I even had her
take some steps at a canter and was pleased she didn’t fall into the circle. I was ready
for her with my leg, seat, and reins. When I kept her head and neck in the proper
position as we rounded the bend towards that area, I found it easier to get her past that
spot.

At the end of my ride, Dave showed up. He told me that Des is at his daughter’s today,
and had left yesterday morning, but will be coming home tomorrow and then driving back to
her place again on Wednesday. I mentioned Bambi’s injured leg to him and he told me he
had noticed it, too. It was open today and looked really bad. I asked him if he had
anything we could put on it since Des wasn’t home to do it. I told him that Des had used
a spray on the wound last week called True Blue and he said he had some of that, so he
left the bottle for me so I could doctor Bambi’s injuries myself after I had cooled
Flossie out. He was already late for a job interview, so he told me where to leave the
bottle for him when I was done with it.

I took care of Bambi when she came up to the fence for her carrots. I had to call her
from the paddock. She came trotting up as fast as she could go, and Paddle Pop King
broke into a fast canter right behind. I didn’t call him, but I guess he didn’t want to
miss out on his share of the luscious treat, either. I gave everyone a carrot to keep
them occupied, then threw Flossie’s halter on Bambi. I was able to spray the open wound
beneath the front of her knee without any problem because she wasn’t suspecting a thing,
but when it came to spraying the wound at the back of the knee, it was a different story.
I didn’t want to risk wasting any of the precious medicine on a part of her leg that
didn’t need it, so with my right hand on the trigger, I pointed the bottle at her leg,
while holding onto the lead rope with my left hand. I kept pointing it there as she ran
around me in a circle, knowing she’d have to stop eventually. When she did, I’d be ready
for her. And that’s just exactly what happened! She stopped, I fired,
and the deed was done before she knew it.

Both Blaze and BamBam are back on Des’ property again. Of course I had to give them both
a carrot, too! It was so good to see them again. They are both taller than they were
when I saw them last. Blaze is still on the small side, however, and he’s awfully thin.
I wonder if that’s why Gary brought him back to Des’, to fatten him up.