Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 237th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 237th LESSON

Flossie was strong this morning and since she had so much energy I had her work a couple
extra laps on the track in both directions. She would have been great on an all-day
trail ride.

I used Pain Away on my seat bones before I got dressed this morning so the pain wasn’t as
bad as it was last week. My right seat bone barely bothers me at all, it’s just the left
that’s been giving me grief. I figure if the right seat bone can get used to the
pounding, then it’ll only be a matter of time before the left one stops bothering me,
too.

I worked Flossie on the circle and she gave me the nicest, slowest canter ever.
Especially to the right. She went into a nice up and down rocking chair motion that I
covet so much.

I had Bambi in the paddock and just led her around trees, stopping her in hand every now
and then, just to get her to focus on me. She did very well. I had her backing and
yielding from the side. It took her a long time to understand what I wanted, so as soon
as she’d lift a leg without taking a step either backward or foreword, I’d stop and
praise her. She ended up moving two steps to the right before I was done. I plan to
continue doing a lot of that sort of thing with her in the future. I didn’t bother
putting the saddle on her today. I really don’t think it’s an issue with her.

Des’ young stallion actually bit into a carrot today and ate it like any other horse.
Last week he just grated the outside layer with his teeth and munched on what he got, but
this time he actually took real bites. I told Des and he said he’ll start buying carrots
for him now that he knows he’ll eat them.

The sky was in the process of clouding up all day and sometimes rain fell like spit. I
could see each individual drop coming down against the trees as if they were flower
petals. At first I wasn’t even sure it was rain I was looking at. As soon as I finished
with the mares and everyone had their carrots, the sky finally managed to fill every
square inch with clouds and there was a strong sense of impending rain in the air. It’s
now five hours later, but still the only real substantial rain I’ve seen so far today is
in the forecast.

Des and Pat were both happy to hear I passed my Australian citizenship test yesterday.
Des said now I’m a full-fledged Aussie, but in actuality, I still need to take the pledge
in a formal ceremony. I can’t even apply for a passport until then. It feels good,
though, to hear the words. It won’t be long now before it actually becomes reality!