25

Again had a session this morning. Big change on my part for I increased my energy by walking quickly around the circle or on a straight line. Consequently Balthazar mirrored my energy and my movements in a much more timely fashion. No mugging per se although he did curl his head around a couple of times when I asked for a mirrored backup. No problem however. Stallion behaviour non existent. He didn't even have time to drop much. We were walking much too fast. Even had a couple of trots. Now to keep working on the refinement of wwylm so that he remains at my shoulder at this quicker pace. I think it keeps him more interested. There isn't time to evade although I did leave him behind a couple of times before he caught up which may have been taking a breather for him. Still, it was a very good session. I only intended to use half my carrots this morning so there'd be enough for tonight but it was going so well I used them all.

I had to get him out of the paddock with the others using a halter. He's the only one who didn't raise his head and start walking toward me when I was at the gate. I look forward to the day when he is the first to meet me at the gate. It will happen.

When we finished he'd entered the paddock when the others were in the 'Jenny Craig' paddock so I used the halter to catch him again. Took him out and asked him to move out of my space as I turned in to him as we left the gate. Slow to do so but I rewarded when he did. He's very light on the halter leading but doesn't yet know to get out of my way when I move into his space. That too will come with time.

It was a very interesting session using this higher energy. When we eventually come to lunging at liberty I hope that he will play, turn, trot, canter, run away and run back. That would be terrific. At the very least I can see we have improved. Greatly improved and that's wonderful.