Today, my plan was to stick with several of the suggestions (from Leah, keep it only a few days a week, and from Shirley, keep the sessions shorter.) However..... that did not quite happen as planned.
Tater was great- walked up and stuffed his face out for haltering, (got an A for that,) stood ground tied for hoof check and frog scrubbing (A for that too,) so we decided to go on to the next step with some simple direction changes at the walk. After a couple of explanations, he got a B for that. Once he had a small lightbulb moment, we thought a short walk would be nice and then I'd put him up for the night.
The walk went well. He stayed with me, alert and attentive at all times. Very mannerly- no rushing, no slamming into me. (I'll give him a B+ there).
We got to the yard, and Wrecking Crew and Cub asked permission to approach and pet Tater- which was fine. After Wrecker and Cub had paid their due attention, I asked Tater to back up a couple of steps. Tater however... well, HE decided to "mock" take a bite of my arm. As in, ears went back, eyes got pissy, and his mouth came gaping open in the general direction of my arm. His chest bowed up, and his general body language said, "You Ain't The Boss Of ME! I'll Stand Here If I Want!" (Yep. THAT is an F in my book.)
Yeeeeeaaaahhhhhhhhhh... umm... no. THAT particular 'Tude will fly about as well as a turd in a punch bowl.
What *was* going to be 15 minutes? Turned into an hour.
Current Score:
Auntie Mrs Mom- 1
Tater- 0
Tater got an Attitude Adjustment and we worked. We worked on the long line until he decided that yes, he could change direction promptly and with manners, and yes, we could back nicely and straight when asked, and THEN he got soak time on the Patience Tree. He got a reprieve on the Patience Tree as the freaking Sand Gnats are out in force trying for one last big score before the cooler weather gets here in a couple days. I was kinda tired of being Gnat Bait, so Tater got unhooked and lead with decent manners to the paddock.
Now, I have a bit of an OCD about letting a horse go in the paddock. For one, I don't just schlep through the gate and let them go. Oh no. They walk nicely through the gate, stop, turn and face the gate, and we back. Usually about 5'. Did Tater back? Weeeellllllll......... let's just say his backing was about 25' instead of 5'. Overall grade for Tater today? C-.
And Phat Boy? Stood there, shaking his wise (wide?) red head, sighing. I swear he was looking at Tater saying, "I TOLD you so. I TOLD you don't piss off Da Momma. Don't you listen to ANYTHING, Kid? Don't. Piss. Off. Da. Momma."
To rub it in further as I walked away from Tater towards the gate to exit, Phat Boy nickered at me and came walking up for some Mom time. Yep. He looked over at Tater as I scratched his favorite spot and said, "THIS is MY Mom. And THIS is how you are to TREAT my Mom! ... Dumbass..."
Guess who (weather permitting) is going to school again tomorrow. Yep. Looks like Tater is going to get a lot of one on one attention in the very near future!
11 comments:
Well it was a good start! SOunds similar to my session a while back with your fav appy "Whoa Dammit"
LOL No fair FV-- ALL your Appies are my favorites ;)
What a great start! And now, you know just what you have to work on. Always a plus.
Glad you straightened him out - sounds like Drifter's antics (which thankfully seem to be in remission right now . . .).
Lol--I like your style ;) Sounds like how I work, too.
Keep up the good work!
Weeeeeell, you did say you needed some incentive to do things with the horses.....
Tater will be saluting and saying "Yes Ma'am!" soon!
Oh I know he did NOT try to bite you! Yup, time for pony boot camp. :(
Talk about starting out with a bang... Poor Tator; he's pickin' on the wrong boss lady.
When I first got Washoe,he was a biter. He'd been a very spoiled 'only' baby and had zero horse manners, let alone people ground manners, so the first thing I did was throw him in the pen with Ranger and Jesse. Let the lessons begin...
A short time later, I was walking across the corral carrying something (don't remember what) and he had been bumping me on the back with his head to get my attention. I said, "Knock it off, Wash" which apparently got Jesse's attention. Instead of stopping, Washoe started to bite my shoulder from behind me. I yelped and before he could even clamp down, Jesse came out of nowhere bent on destruction. She chased him to the farthest fence, where Ranger joined them, and the two of them kept Washoe pinned to that fence for more than 3 hours. He had to show a major amount of repentance before they would let him move away. Last time he tried to bite the food lady!
Great start!
BC
Isn't it funny (hahaha) how our idea and that of our horses sometimes comes in conflict?!!
Sounds like Tater finally put pride behind him and caved in!
Dummy - I wouldn't mess with you :)
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