31

With halter and lead rope. Tried to halter him over the stall door but he kept smelling my hand so had to go in and then no problem. Again he stopped, twice, to smell manure on the way out. He also stopped a couple of times while we were in the paddock but I just waited, facing away, until he came up beside me. Worked on him on my shoulder and delivering the treats better. Yesterday I was in too much of a hurry so that the placement was sometimes too close to me. Today I was more deliberate and made sure the treats were always given with my arm outstretched so that his head was away from me. Consequently his body wasn't so close behind me. He was again aroused and giving that frustrated nicker but I ignored it and went on. I did initiate a few breaks but c/t'd when he stood quietly beside me. He did offer a back up and head down which I did c/t as him offering anything is a good sign.

Also worked on yielding hindquarter without touching him (offside only), just pointing and looking. The first time he actually swung his rump toward me a bit, a little aggressively I think but I ignored it and waited. He then did move away, without stepping under first but using the outside hind to step away but that doesn't matter at this point so he was c/t'd. The next two times were better. Finished on a good note. Made a big deal of taking the treat bag off, showing empty hands and saying clearly All Done! so he gets to know when it is finished. He followed me into the yards but kind of trailing after me, not being pushy.

30

Groomed and then put the saddle pad on; ears pinned. Waited until the ears relaxed and c/t'd. Again and again and again. He doesn't know it yet but we'll get there. It's just something I can do for a few times each time I groom so that it becomes old had..with happy ears.

Then, with lead and halter on, we went out to the paddock. C/t'd him for having his eye level with my shoulder. He cottoned on pretty quickly but also evaded on the way out to smell manure. I just waited and then c/t'd when he drew level again. We walked around the paddock and he got pretty aroused, doing his mini rears, snorting and kicking at himself. I didn't stop but followed Alexandra's advice and kept on. Found that with the lead rope he could follow a very light indication. A couple of times found I was using the lead rope as a shield or barrier. Didn't touch him with it but as he was so close and so excited sometimes I felt a bit vulnerable. Otherwise it was quite good as I was able to c/t for him being at my shoulder but with some distance between us. Forgot to stay at the very beginning when we were leaving the area where I groom him I could c/t him for yielding away as I walked towards his head and he yielded.

Afterwards I jackpotted him for answering the verbal cue 'down'. I walked back to the yards and he followed rather than staying out in the paddock. He still wanted to continue. Good stuff!