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Haven't worked with Balthazar for a couple of days. Couldn't groom him as he was still sweating so just took the carrots out in the paddock and began. He was very good except we had lots of evasions. I tried the 'dancing' with him again. Overfaced and overwhelmed so he grazed. But that's okay. It's a process and as he trusts more he will evade less. He was a little bit pushy today and I pushed his nose away. It was almost a smack. Regretful. Didn't hit him but it was more than a push and less than a slap. Damn. He had that look in his eyes afterwards but was 'with' me again fairly quickly.

He is getting very good at mirroring, stepping back one two even three steps almost immediately, while he's still chewing his carrot in fact. One thing that was a little off-putting happened while I was walking away. He galloped toward me bucking and plunging. I've seen this in a video where the woman sent the horse off again. She wasn't worried about being trampled or struck. I'm not that confident yet. I sent him away with a whoosh of my arms then called him to me and gave him a carrot. We can make use of this I think.

I'd almost forgotten about head down but he didn't. He was pretty quick with it. Also tried to back him (with me in front) and for him to stay while I brought the carrot to him. He evaded after two goes. Don't know why he found that too much but we'll keep practicing.

The wwylm was interesting. I didn't reward unless he was beside me and I didn't reward if he had his head in my space. He mouthed my shoulder in his eagerness to get a carrot. I didn't react nor did I give a carrot. Rewarded for correct position. It was better.