Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 190th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 190th LESSON

We were able to squeeze my ride in before we did anything else today. Norm dropped me
off at Des’, then headed on out to work. In the meantime, after packing, Norm’s son,
Pete, drove his wife, Yah, and the baby to the rental car dealership where we picked them
up on our way home after Norm stopped off at Des’ for me. I had to leave all my tack on
Des’ property, though, because it wouldn’t fit in the car because all the suitcases and
Hayden’s stroller were taking up all the room. Pete was visiting from Sydney for the
week and it’s sad to see his family go.

A huge yellow power machine was standing by the Rail Road tracks on the other side of the
fenceline when I first started Flossie out. I walked her past, in hand, as I’ve been
doing every week, to let her get used to the machine being there. Flossie walked right
on by without even stopping or hesitating once. She went well at every gait in both
directions on the track and she even circled in the paddock for me afterwards.

When I first asked for a canter, she took off like a zebra being chased by a lion. When
I asked for a canter the second time, however, I worked on collection and got her on the
bit for a quarter of the way around before I brought her down. She gave me a nice up and
down motion which I found delightful thanks to the work-out I do before I ride. It was a
nice exercise and I was pleased she responded so well. Her environment may be noisy, but
she’s learning she can trust me. I hope this trust continues when the machines start
working on the road again because we’ll be surrounded by construction from every
direction by then.

Flossie’s hooves are looking good, I’m pleased to report. I touched-up her right front
hoof with more wood putty and glue since it doesn’t seem to hold as well as the left hoof
does. I was able to leave that one alone. I also put more dressing on her hooves as
well. I was pleased with their overall appearance and so was Des.

Billy was working his horses when I first arrived at Des’, and then when I was finishing
up with my ride, Gary came down to work a couple of his. He worked four other horses
earlier in the day, but since he has six horses, he had to return later to work the last
two. I had never seen him work two horses on the gig before, but they went very well for
him.