Well, got up the nerve to ride Redford (formerly known as Razz or Razzamatazz or Tucson) a couple of days ago for the second time. This time I decided to ride at home and use just the rope hackamore as he is very lacking in basic skills. What I learned was revealing-he has been intimidating people with tantrums-half-rears, twisting, threatening bucking, and whipping around on both sides to bite at your legs. Plus-the sonofabitch can shy and swap ends like a rodeo bronc. (This old gal can still stay on that-but likes it less than she used to.)

Now I have his lessons straight in my head-and they go like thiis:

1. He learns to be saddled and girthed without biting and moving around. His intimidation/dominance tactics have got to come to an end.

2. I'll ride with dressage whips in BOTH hands until he learns to keep his head where I put it-and his mouth closed.

3. He needs a roller bit to keep him busy-and probably a copper one. I'd like to see how he reacts to a ported bit as well. He's probably going to freak about the chin chain, but he'll just have to live with it. May try the TTeam bit and use four reins. The loose jaw would be more like the snaffles he's used to.

4. Work on transitions, curves, and straight lines.

5. Get him out in the clear cut ASAP. That will keep him busy watching where his feet are going instead of thinking up evil thoughts.

That should be enough for now. When that gets done, time to re-evaluate and re-set goals!