Hoof Blogs

Flossie's 240th Lesson

FLOSSIE'S 240th LESSON

Except for the noisy power machines that were working on the other side of the railroad
tracks where Woodlands is, it was perfect for riding this morning! I hated to trade the
song of bird and the susurrus sound of wind in branches for the terrible cacophony of
engine and shovel, but seeing I had no choice, I proceeded to ignore the machines, and so
did Flossie.

In fact, Flossie must have thought it was perfect for riding today, too, for she ate up
the track as if her hooves were spoons and she were starving! I worked on slowing her
down, mainly, and because she had so much energy, I was surprised to find her so
responsive.

When it was time to back, I gently cued her with alternate tugs on the reins and gentle
pressure with my legs. I got one step out of her and decided to quit there since she
would have started getting hyper and I wanted to end on a calm, positive note. I will
pick up again where I left off next time.

At the end of my ride, while I had her standing at the rail, after untacking her and
rubbing her all over, I pulled Flossie’s mane and cut a path on her poll for the bridle
to lie. I’ve been wanting to do these things for months and months and was glad I
finally did it. Now she doesn’t look so raggedy. I gave my camera to Pat so he could
get a picture of me on her back, but the battery was cold and the camera would not work.
Yeah boom.

Bambi was good while I cleaned her hooves and she backed in hand for me and yielded from
side to side without incident. She wanted to run, though, when I asked her to walk while
I led her in hand around the track, and I had to stay on my toes in order to keep her off
them. I had to crop her and raise my voice so she’d show some manners. Around the
second bend she would not walk so I had her circle me, then take a step forward, and we
continued that way , alternating, circle, step, circle, step, like that until she finally
walked forward and quit trying to run off the track. It’s only on that second bend that
runs along the new road that she gives me trouble, which I will keep in mind when I ride
her.

Just by the way she behaves when I have her in hand, I have a feeling Bambi will be the
type of mount that will bolt and run off when she fears something. She’s sensible
enough, so I don’t think she’d do anything stupid, but she’s too quick to respond to her
environment without checking it out first. And, although she hasn’t done it now for two
weeks in a row, I’ve seen her rear when she didn’t want to go past something. This is
another thing I’m keeping in mind for that red-letter day in the future when I decide
it’s time to ride her.

I adjusted Flossie’s bridle and put it up one notch on both sides before putting the bit
in Bambi’s mouth. She kept mouthing it, munching and smacking the metal with a noisy
cadence. I left it on her for a while so she could get used to it. What memories it
must have held for her to have a bit in her mouth again! Soon I’ll put the bridle on her
while I walk her around the track, but, just to give me more control, I won’t take the
halter off so I can continue leading her with the rope and the chain around her nose.

Norm came an hour early for me today. I wasn’t expecting him because I didn’t have my
phone on me when he called to let me know he was on his way. I was glad I was mostly
ready for him. I just had to give the mares their last two carrots for the week. I
didn’t have time to change my clothes, or sit down to lunch, but I did both those things
when I got home, so it wasn’t a problem.

I have nothing more to say about my time with Flossie today except that it went by way
too fast. I could have spent the entire day with her and her pals if I had been able to.
It was just that type of day.

I’ll take a deep breath, remembering the scent of horse flesh and a semi-munched carrot
in a horse’s mouth, and let it out slowly. This will have to suffice until I get to ride
again next week.