24

Had two sessions today, one this morning and another this evening. This morning he was brilliant. I did work on refining the wwylm so that he was only rewarded when his head was beside my shoulder. Worked well. No mugging, no evasions. I did walk away frequently so that he wouldn't have to feel overwhelmed. He was staying with me and I could take a few steps before rewarding him as he stuck so well to the position. Also a few mirroring steps. He was stepping backwards more quickly, not so much hesitation. Even asked for two steps backwards and he was doing it as well. He still hesitates before putting his head down with a verbal cue but that will improve with time. It isn't a long hesitation but it's not immediate yet.

This afternoon wasn't quite as brilliant. Walked into the paddock and he followed immediately. He did attempt to mug three times. I blocked him for two and walked away the third. He never touched me but the intention was there. The wwylm wasn't quite as good as this morning. He does better with me on the left, not quite so sharp on the right. Again it will take time. The mirroring wasn't quite as good either. A little stallion behaviour, more than this morning but still a good session. Just have to remember how far we've come. At least I feel that he feels c/ting with me is a Good Thing. Even though I'm sure he evades because he is overwhelmed the evasions aren't so frequent, mostly because I walk away first but I also suspect that he is getting used to the clicker training and is starting to enjoy it for its own sake.


When we finished this afternoon I called him over. I was returning to the yards and he, knowing we'd finished or having an evasion, was grazing. He came over with a couple of stops to chew on a leg or bite at a fly and I jackpotted him for coming. Very pleased with both of us.