13

Did a quick session in the yards this afternoon. All the horses were in the yards so I locked the others out of one small yard and worked in there.

There is a definite improvement in the mugging. He's still trying but it IS better. There was perhaps one evasion, when he looked off into the distance, but he remained pretty focussed. He definitely does not have the verbal cue for head down 'down' yet. He was better about straightening out his head and neck for a c/t. I walked around him and although he backed up a couple of times so he could stay close to the treat bag, he was better about staying put. I'm content to just work on this one thing until we've got it (that and head down for a little variety).

I think I'm supposed to only say the cue once and not repeat it. As usual I think if one is good three must be three times better. Have to work on myself as well as Balthazar. This is such a slow process that it could be frustrating but I think c/t and the concentration, patience and time it takes is EXACTLY what I need.