Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 127th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 127th LESSON

When I groomed Flossie this morning before my ride I noticed there was a considerable amount
of swelling in her left hind fetlock, so I got Des to come out and take a look at her.
Although he came out straight away, some of the swelling had already gone down by the time
he arrived. Although, initially, there was some heat in the swollen area,
she wasn't lame so he told me to go ahead and ride her.

She was feeling good and gave me a really super ride. I had her trotting, pacing, and
cantering in both directions. I think the heavy equipment that was running in the field
next to the track had her jumpy. She never spooked or balked, but she seemed nervous
nevertheless. She kept it all under control, however, and was obedient in spite of herself.

I was able to sit the trot for a while. For quite a long while, actually. It was
uncomfortable and I had to work at it, but I did it. This is a first. My seat, my balance,
everything, was really good so when she came down to the trot, or started up in a trot, it
didn't throw me off the way it used to. Oh, and she trotted slower for me than she does
when I post her trot.

After my ride and Flossie, Bambi, and Blaze had their share of carrots, and Flossie had her
final grooming, (including a douse of cold water on her swollen leg which took the swelling
right down for a while), I told Des how she went for me, and how the swelling was no worse
after my ride than it had been before I got on her. Des had me hold her while he put some
'Swell Down' on her leg. This stuff looks like cement and although it's pliable
enough straight out of the jar, it hardens when it dries just like cement does. I hope it
does the trick.