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!