Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 74th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 74th LESSON

Flossie didn�t need any impulsion from me today so I ended up taking my spurs off in
mid-ride. She started right out for me, and never balked once. She was feeling good and it
was all I could do to keep her slow! Near the end of her lesson she didn�t want to pick up a
canter so I had to keep bringing her down again and again and starting her over. She
eventually picked it up for me and went wonderfully!

She worked collected and was on the bit throughout her lesson and when I pulled her bridle
off, her mouth was foaming. Her bit was foaming too. I can always tell when she�s working
properly and thinking about what she�s doing because she mouths the bit in the way Pat
Parelli says a good working horse will.

I dragged three long white plastic things out of a pile on Des� property and used them for
cavalettis. Flossie walked over them like she�s been doing it all her life. Next time I plan
to have her trot over them. I had her walk over that huge, but short log again and didn�t
even have to coax her! She tried only once to evade, but straightened out for me without a
hassle and proceeded to go over the log without hesitation.

After our ride and all the carrots had been distributed, I walked into the paddock with the
mothers and babies. I was able to touch Blaze about three or four times. At one stage he
walked right up to me, then veered off at the last minute. Bambam, which is my new name for
Bambi�s baby, is just as inquisitive. I think I�ll have them both walking up to me before
too long.

Gary�s two horses that live alone in their own respective paddocks were not there today. I
missed them, for I used to spend time with both of them, just talking to them and rubbing on
them. They loved the attention.

As we were pulling out of Des� driveway, Des came out of his house and told us he spent the
day in his doctor�s office. The doctor told him to go straight to the hospital because he
found an irregular pulse during his exam. He also has bad legs that need attention. Des was
worried about just taking off like that without finding someone to take care of his horses
and his cats. Norm offered to lend a hand wherever needed. Des said it wouldn�t be
necessary, but we insisted. I doubt he would ever ask us for help, but I�m not ashamed to
say I would do whatever I could for that man. He is a precious human being and in some
strange way I love him like a father. I pray that the Lord will watch over him. He said he�s
going to try to stay out of the hospital until tomorrow which will give him time to find
someone to look after his place while he�s unable to. I hope things work out for him the way
he wants them to.

This news is very sad for me and when I got home, I had to take some quiet time to myself
and let out the emotions I feel. I couldn�t do it earlier because we met Leo Duffy at the
Lebanese restaurant for lunch. He and Norm had some Toastmaster�s business to discuss, which
left me to stew over Des� condition silently. I wish there was something I could do for the
man. It sickens me that he�s in such poor health. Norm has pointed out that Des has the
appearance Elvis Presley had before he died; his body is bloated and his complexion is pale.

Please say a prayer for Des. I don�t want to see anything bad happen to him.