Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 57th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 57TH LESSON

The weather couldn�t have been better for riding than it was this morning. Everything had a
crisp, sharp edge to it, from the sound of my feet in the gravel in the yard, to the look of
the clear blue sky above. It was chilly, but bright; warm in the sun, cool in the shade.
Just perfect!

Flossie wasn�t as perfect as the day, however, and neither was I. For one thing, I had a
hard time getting her to bring her head down. She finally cooperated near the end of our
ride, when she took a few steps with her head in the proper position. I try to get her to
go with her poll at an even level with her withers; the way she naturally carries herself
when she�s walking.

I did learn something new today; when I have Flossie break away from the track periodically
to circle into the paddock (starting the circle on the track and ending it on the track),
she carries herself better when I continue to ride her on the track without circling. Since
she has to use herself while circling, it seems to carry over onto the track.

I had been reading articles about collection and headsets and discovered collection is
something the horse does herself. Riders can force the issue with bits, reins, etc, but the
actual collection has to come from the horse, herself.

Today while I was riding, I asked with my body for Flossie to slow down. When she did, I
relaxed my body to see if she would continue to go slow on her own. I had to do it a
million times, and maybe it�s too soon to judge yet, but, although I got some, I didn�t get
a lot of cooperation from her.

I noticed that sometimes when she�s cantering, I tend to tighten my arm and shoulder
muscles, so, today, (as I�ve done in the past with the same results), I remembered to make
my muscles like jelly. It worked. She responded by slowing down and relaxing. I like to
try new things like that just to see how it affects Flossie. Sometimes I move my shoulders
alternating up and down when she�s pacing. She responds by relaxing and waddling her hind
end. I am always amazed at how every little thing we do in the saddle affects the horse in
one way or another.

After Flossie and Bambi had their weekly carrots, I went into the yard to curry and brush
Flossie. Bambi decided Flossie was standing too close and hauled off and kicked at her.
She missed the mare, but not the fence. She ended up kicking the post which split in half.
The fence remained intact with the part that stayed standing, but the other half fell into
the yard. I went up to the house to let Des know what happened. He came out to investigate
and told me not to worry; he can replace the post with a star picket.