Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 126th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 126th LESSON

I spent a perfect hour on perfect Flossie this morning. I got down 30 minutes earlier than
usual, which turned out to be a good thing since the humidity was 88% this arvie. The extra
half hour made a difference in the temperature, too, for it didn't get too hot until the
last 20 minutes of my ride.

While I had her coming around the bend in the track towards the road, two joggers suddenly
appeared on the other side of the fence. They took Flossie by surprise and she put her head
up sharply and stopped dead in her tracks. I told her what they were and asked her to keep
going, so she did.

She was strong and wanting to work today, so I worked her straight through for a half hour
before cooling her down in the shade. Then we went into the 'arena' and worked some
circles before calling it a day.

Gary Girrard and Dan, Sharon's husband (whom I have never met before), came down and
unloaded a sheet of tin with which they're going to make another shed. Gary's
divided the small paddock where I used to work Flossie into three sections. When he gets
the shed up, he's bringing another horse in.

Gary's horse, Paddle Pop King, ran a race on Saturday and came in second place. Gary
was so happy! The gelding is a nice horse and I'm glad to see he's doing well on
the track.

Since today is part of the long Australia Day weekend, the bulldozers next to Des' place
weren't being operated. It was nice to work Flossie in peace for a change. I had
forgotten how relaxing the atmosphere is when the giant machines aren't running.

I love hanging around Des' when I'm done riding. Just having the horses right
there, being able to look up and see Flossie in her paddock, listening to the crickets and
other grassy insects buzzing and clicking and whirring away in the tall grass all around
makes me feel like a country girl. I love to be in the woods and the sound of the paddock
a-humming with life gives me that experience.

Speaking of the tall grass, I took a photo of Flossie and Bambi in the paddock so I can show
you how different the place looks now that the drought has ended. If you remember, last
year I had shared a photo of the paddock when the dam was low. There was no grass around
and it looked almost like a desert. Take a look at the photo I've attached with this
email! You won't believe how tall the grass is now! I know you'll have to take my
word on this, but those two humps you see rising above the grass really are Bambi and
Flossie!