Took Balthazar out of the paddock yesterday. It was late morning. Gave him a quick brush being mindful of his ticklish areas. That mindfulness was rewarded with very little ear pinning and sour expressions. I placed him in the middle of the yard rather than at the gate so we could start practicing ground tying or just staying where he's put. If he moved a foot I gently moved him back. He wanted to go to the gate leading to the other horses. Persevered without a big noise about it. Then I took him out to the road to graze. He was on his toes because Dakota was yelling for him so it was kind of a snatch and chew rather than a relaxed munch. Kept him out there until he relaxed a little then took him back and turned him loose with the others. They were waiting for him in the yards so he didn't have to go racing off. But that pent up energy had to come out. He stood at the entrance to the paddocks with the others behind him for awhile then raced down the hill.

This morning he walked away from me when I tried to say hello. I'm getting a little disheartened again. I didn't know any of this stuff when I was endurance riding. The bond I built up with Drifter and Keziah, even Dakota, was one of bum time in the saddle. We spent so many hours together some kind of relationship had to form. Looks like we are going to Peter's on Monday for our Parelli 7 games lesson. I am going to get on Balthazar then. Have that first ride then, depending upon how it went, carry on at home. He'll pin his ears and look cranky and not like it very much but he'll get used to it. It will become routine, or 'Old Hat' as Tom Roberts would say. That's why I need to get him out of the paddock again today. Just so that he knows when he's removed from the company of his buddies he will be returned to them as well.

I either have to make up my mind to ride and do things to and with him that he won't like (being ridden, taken away from his buddies) or give up riding forever as a moral and ethical decision. That's the crux of the matter. Do I have the moral right to subject another living creature to my will? Guess I'll find out.