Really have to make up my mind about how I'm going to be. I'm still halfway apologetic that I've even asking him to do anything. Balthazar can certainly pick up on that. Played around tonight with a few of the seven games. He did very well with turns on the forehand and hindquarters (yielding), backing up and coming forward, less so circling (and worryingly and something I've forgotten to mention before now, Balthazar is very slightly lame circling right and has been for a few weeks. No swelling, nothing obvious in his foot. Lee was here last week, saw nothing. No idea what it is but he's already 'resting' and has been for over 2 years so bushing him isn't going to make any difference). Anyway, he hasn't much energy, lifted mine and he was better. Worked on getting him to sidestep, wanted to place his offside front on a leaf purely by me directing him without moving from the spot I was standing on. We got about 6 inches away. But he'd quit and I'd have to up my energy (pressure) to get him back in the game. When he'd try I'd quit, give him a break, trying to tell him that, Yes, that was the right thing to do. Also tried driving him (poor) and the squeeze game which, as we haven't done that in years, he didn't do too badly.

Took him out of the paddock afterwards for a graze, a graze that I invited (hand gesture) him to do and also a graze that I would put a stop to. Just working on that communication a bit.

Noticed again tonight that Balthazar was sweating when I got him out of the stall. His sweating increased while I groomed him. It's going to take a while before we lose that tension stemming from all those months of c/t. Poor guy doesn't really know what to expect from me. I'm all over the shop. Amazing that he does as well as he does. Have found that his ear pinning and biting at his chest lessens if I am very soft while grooming that area. Also that he is less annoyed with me brushing his face if I use long slow strokes. Surprising and rather sad that he has had to put up with annoying habits of mine because I was too dense to alter the way of grooming him.

Peter has invited us up to Long Grass and the Long Grass playpen for a session of the seven games. Not sure when yet. Plan to pack the saddle, bitless bridle and booties and get on him up there. He'll be away from his buddies and after an hour or so of mental exercise he won't be in a mood to play up. Seeing as he's favouring that offside front the riding will be minimal. But I think it's a good idea to hit him with everything (tacking up, booties and me on his back) while he's away from home. Then we can continue here (depending upon soundness). Have permission to ride on neighbour's property so can start slowly and build up fitness, mental, emotional and physical.

Had a play with Balthazar last night and was very pleased. Think sometimes because I feel somewhat guilty in asking him to do anything, I mean he doesn't work for me, does he? Does he have a choice? And because of that my cues are fraught with doubt. Not that they aren't clear, or as clear as my level of expertise can make them, but I am sending mixed messages because I am not certain that he shouldn't just be left alone in the paddock with his mates. Who am I to tell him what to do? That's why forming some kind of relationship with him is so important. To allay my guilt if nothing else.

Anyway, we did some pretty nice yields of the fore and hindquarter. Even asked and got complete circles which I usually don't ask for. Then asked for some circling and he started off very uninspired and soon ran out of gas entirely. Gave him a big surge of my energy and got him trotting and listening, both ways. Then again I was lost a bit. Do I drill when he's already done it? What now? Decided to take him through to the grass above the septic tank which is alluringly green and fresh as a reward before letting him loose. Came through the gate and thought why don't I try and drive him rather than leading (leading is a whole 'nother subject - no contact, just the weight of the rope and my intention. When we were grooming he decided he'd graze - don't tie him any longer - told him 'no' with body language and that was that. He didn't make another attempt but stood stock still while I finished).

So we were through the gate and I was trying not to move my feet to drive him but to move his. Backfired at first because he backed instead of going forward but we soon got our conversation going and he allowed himself to be driven, at the trot, to the tank. Then had the bright idea of stopping him grazing and then allowing him (part of the Waterhole Ritual). That was illuminating. At first he said no and tried to graze but I drove him off again. He paid attention then. Waited a moment and then invited him to graze. Did that once more and then drove him back to the gate where I invited him to graze on some grass there.

This morning when I went to say hello Balthazar didn't smell and then make a nipping gesture as usual. He politely smelled back. I invited him to companion walk with me and he did. Immediately. It was great.

I'm starting to think that less is more. Nothing would've been gained by going on and on yesterday. Certainly there is huge room for improvement but when we just play around with it, looking for small gains in alacrity, precision, etc. we will still get there in the end - with a horse that is willing to work rather than yawning or worse, wrinkling his muzzle in resentment. One other thing I tried yesterday was getting him to move his off side front foot onto a poinciana seed pod while I stayed in one spot. He did brilliantly - about 4 inches away. That was close enough because he really paid attention and tried.

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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!