Giving Dallas an attitude adjustment

[Country Girl 43]

Well, I have a big ride planned in two weeks. There is a large group of us going on a ride to a ghost town, having lunch there, then back on the trails. I need to get Dallas ready for this and lately he has been a complete moron! :mad:

So today, I went to the barn, got him out and threw the saddle on and headed for the arena. I had been working on ground work for the last 2 weeks, so decided to just hop in the saddle. Well he was full of it and when I asked him to move forward he threw his head up, jumped sideways and was going to come up. :mad: So I jumped off him, got my stick and lunge line and put his butt to work, back and forth and side to side and backwards! Patience my butt!!!! I was gonna get two eyes no matter what......and I did in a matters of 5 minutes! :eek: I was serious and he knew I meant business!

We worked for a good 30 minutes, then I looked at him and asked.."NOW are you ready to listen!" the look I got was " YES Mam!" So I got back on, walked around the arena, got him next to the gate, opened it from his back and off to the trail we went.

He thought about being a jerk until I used my "don't piss me off" voice, then he settled down. Over all he did OK....I still expect better from him. His biggest concern was on the way back. There was a crew there working on the barn that had the fire a few months back. They had a crane and were moveing the metal roof pieces and Dallas got freaked out about that. He tried to bolt twice....:nono:....but I pulled him around and we went on our way while I talked to him.

Back at the barn I gave him a bath, then tied him up. I took Ladybird out to the pasture and Dallas had a fit. I just let him stand there for an hour, while I cleaned the tack shed and let Ladybird graze in the pasture. Finally I brought Ladybird back in and turned Dallas loose in his turnout. He was still nice and clean when I left and much calmer than when we had started. Hopefully, he will be ready by Dec. 7th!:rolleyes:

[Cat]

Sometimes that is what it takes. Glad you ended on a better note than you started. Good luck on having a good ride on the 7th!

[JackieB]

Wow! You're a much better rider than I am, that's for sure! Good job.

[FatSpottedAppy]

Looks like you're giving Dallas what he really needs.. you're definitely doing a good job with him. I hope he's ready for December 7th, you'll have to tell us how that goes. ;)

[Dakota Sunrise]

Don't you just love giving attitude adjustments?:rolleyes: I've done it for Beauty more than once. Occasionally I'll go for the lunge line before I mount up if I have a feeling she's going to act up, but if she starts being a moron once I'm in the saddle I stay on for the derration (sp?) and ride it out. But that's just me, I'm probably too stubborn (or too stupid, lmao) for my own good!:p

Sounds you like did a great job with Dallas and hopefully he'll start being a good boy now. *crosses fingers* Good luck and have fun on your December 7th trail ride!:)

[Country Girl 43]

I am hoping he will be ready... :huh: He was doing so good before he had gotten hurt over a month ago, now he just thinks he's "all that". And after last weekend, I got nervous being around him. Today I said NO MORE, and we came to an understanding. Amazing what can happend when I make myself "look" big! LOL :p

We will see what happens tomorrow... I will be taking him out EVERY day till the ride. Hopefully next week I can ride with someone to get him used to riding with other horses again.

[Country Girl 43]

Hey Dakota, I usually don't get off, but his rearing up has gotten out of hand. I can ride out the bucking, and usually do, but I will not deal with the rearing up anymore. I have my back to think about and I don't want him coming over on me....:eek:

From his back I don't know how high he is coming off the ground. I didn't bring my video camera out this time, because I knew I was gonna take him out on the trail. And every other time he has reared up, nobody had the camera on him. I've got photos of him rearing on ground work, but none with me on him.

Today, when I got off, I backed his butt clear across the arena and DARED him to rear up. :mad: I meant business and he KNEW it. He kinda said...."uh oh...mom's pissed now!".....LOL

[Kaitlyn]

I love it when they know mama's p.o'ed lol. Good job sticking to your guns! You tell 'em!

[starr]

you go girl!!!!

[Dakota Sunrise]

Hey Dakota, I usually don't get off, but his rearing up has gotten out of hand. I can ride out the bucking, and usually do, but I will not deal with the rearing up anymore. I have my back to think about and I don't want him coming over on me....:eek:

From his back I don't know how high he is coming off the ground. I didn't bring my video camera out this time, because I knew I was gonna take him out on the trail. And every other time he has reared up, nobody had the camera on him. I've got photos of him rearing on ground work, but none with me on him.

Today, when I got off, I backed his butt clear across the arena and DARED him to rear up. :mad: I meant business and he KNEW it. He kinda said...."uh oh...mom's pissed now!".....LOL



Sounds like you did the exact right thing for him!:) Next time Beauty is in one of those moods i'll give you a call, and maybe you can come whip her booty in to shape too!:D

I tend to do better with Beauty when I'm in the saddle than with groundwork and lunging, so that's why I stay on board. I'm small and she knows it, so if she's really being bad she sometimes drags me around (I do make her listen and always win, it's just not easy), and it takes longer to get her to behave that way and get it through her head that I am in charge. So I stay in the saddle because I have better results by doing that (and not because my riding skills are all that amazing, lmao- my equitation is not the best:rolleyes:), but that's just us. :) And we're definately not normal, lmao!:p

[jeezitsjacki]

sounds like you got a lot accomplished! Today on the trail ben tried to not go (it has been over a month since we have been on a trail) and I had to use my stern voice "BEN you will move your butt right now!" and off he went. He knows when mommy is mad.. sounds like Dallas does too!

[valleyrider]

Great job showing him who is the boss. Keep up the good work and I am sure he will be ready for that Dec. 7th ride. Keep us posted how things go.

[gaited07]

Good for you! Sometimes a good old fashioned, "I'm sticking to my guns" attitude is all you need. Glad Dallas came to his senses and I'm sure you will have him ship shape by Dec 7th.
I wish I was closer, I would load up and ride with you, Love Ghost towns.

[vicklynn]

Im proud of you. Sometimes having to get off and work their feet is a good thing. You go girl. Even Chris Cox would work a horse on the ground if he had to get off. Why do you think they make Mecate reins;)

[mandisue]

Country you do the same thing we do, when they rear, they must BACK! Susey has learned this well.................... :)

I can't imagine what he'd act like in this cold weather we're having if he acts like that in hot weather :eek:

[Arrow]

Sounds like you handled it like a trooper! But what he needs is a lot less ground work and a lot more riding--only time under the saddle is going to teach him to behave under saddle. Sounds like that's what you have planned--so 'nuff said. Will be awaiting updates--he sounds like a fun and interesting horse.:D You handled it very well, I'd say!

[CircleR]

Good Start CG!!! I hope he will get the "picture" and start cooperating with you!! The ride to the ghost town sounds real neat, and the weather should be nice.

[Ryderd65]

Glad Dallas listened to you, CG. Sounds like you have his number, and the ghost town ride sounds like fun.

Are you riding in Goldfield?

[ProvenPaint]

Good for you! I have that attitude with my horses too ;) I will also swear (said in the Mom-is-mad-now! voice, of course) "NO grain for you if you don't shapen up!" works for attitude adjustments too lol. Ah, the joy of geldings..controlled by food

Good luck on the 7th!

[Country Girl 43]

I am looking into getting some Macate reins! I can ride him out if he bucks, but I am not taking anymore chances if he rears. Half the time HE can't find his own feet. Silly Boy.

Yes, it's time to get him straightened up MY way. LOTS of wet blankets! That was the direction we were heading before he got chewed up and he was doing fine then.....

Ryder & CircleR, yes we are going to the Goldfield Ghost town. If you could make it that would be GREAT!! Gaited wish you were closer too! It's gonna be a fun ride!