Much better today.  10 minutes ground work.  Balthazar, if allowed, tends to dribble around comply with a request when he gets around to it.  I insisted that he comply immediately.  I don't care if he's hesitant and slow on new stuff but on things he knows, he now needs to get to it and do it.  He's always been a bit reluctant in the driving game.  Can almost see him saying, yeah, yeah, all RIGHT already.  Granted he'd improved alot being driven from zone 1 but he was still Mr. Molasses in zone 3.  Today I hunted zone 3.  He moved his little red butt and 40 minutes later when I asked him to move it when maneuvering through a gate, he retained the energy and MOVED.  As for the riding.  He wasn't scary to ride today.  He was still tense, robotic (but pretty!) in his trot (was he ridden in draw reins at one time?  He has always been behind the bit, overbent and behind the leg since I've had him.  On the trail he's fine but in the arena he 'hides').  At any rate, I didn't worry about it.  My main goal today was to try and relax him (a squeaking sheath is not a sign of relaxation!) and as that wasn't happening, to do lots of transitions with lots of breaks either at the halt or a loose rein walk.  Mostly I don't have a connection through the reins with the bridle.  To keep my body even I hold the reins in each hand rather than one but they are loose and floppy unless I need to make a connection.  For instance, asking for a halt with just my body, if he doesn't halt I pick p the reins and ask.  Ditto if I've asked hm to turn and he ignores me, I ask through the reins.  My goal is to be able to ride without reins.  He is quite sensitive and when he's attentive and calm he does very well.  Took him out for pick afterwards and he was quite happy to wander across the road and graze.  So it was a much happier day for both of us.  Played a brief game of Carrot Hunt in the yards.  Balthazar knew exactly what was up and found them quickly.  Not playing for a week or so has helped him play better.  He looks for direction more which is great.