Janet's report for 9-29-01 Jackie was able to make it out this morning and we had some huge success. Jackie did some round pen work with Moose and getting him to turn in and face up and actually coming into be haltered. We also worked on picking up feet without a halter on. Moose has come so far it still amazes just about everyone that works with him. I came in and did some flag work with him and he was so relaxed that we decided to go ahead and try the bareback pad on him. And he took it without flinching at all. We did some work on flexing and he remained relaxed so we decided to go ahead and put some one on a panel to get the perspective of having someone over him. He continued to be unbothered by this so I climbed down and gave Jackie a leg up and she layed across his back from both sides. It was amazing to watch how relaxed he was. He had his head down and relaxed and was actually trying to fall asleep. This was a big day for Moose so we called it good at that point and put him away for the day.

Standing for the flag Checking out the pad

Desensitizing - Line work with the pad

People overhead

Then it was Frosty's turn. He was actually less tolerant of someone above him so we didn't progress as far. But were able to pet him from on top of the panel and Jackie got a leg over him. We also worked on some targeting with a "scary horse eater cup". Last night I worked with Yogi for about a half hour and was actually able to get in close and give him some good scratches on his neck. Even when he felt the need to leave he would simply walk a small circle around me and come back. He was so relaxed. But he definitely has a time limit that he will work. So far it is only about a half hour before he shuts off and says no more.

Targeting a scary cup

9-30-01 We decided to give Frosty and Moose a rest today since they had such a big day yesterday. We constructed a safe squeeze and gave Yogi his first turn in it. He did remarkably well. Cliff was able to pet from his face to his butt with a nice calm relaxed horse. He had to make sure not to move to fast so that he didn't set him off but Yogi really seemed to respond well. Hopefully we have reached a turning point with him. He is trying. He is such a beautiful animal that we are really looking forward to future successes with him.

10-02-01 (Yogi Update) My kids canceled dinner so we ended up spending some time with Yogi tonight. We got him back into the safe squeeze and I spent a little time just petting his face, neck, chest, back, and butt. Then we brought in a halter with lead line attached. He was very worried about it at first but quickly settled down and accepted the halter being rubbed all over him. Then we were able to get the halter on and fastened with no resistance at all. We worked a little on leading and backing inside the squeeze. Then we both worked on petting him from different sides at the same time. He was very nervous about it but he allowed it. Then we offered him some hay as a reward and let him take a short break to think about things. We then reapproached him and let him out of the squeeze. Cliff was able to lead him for a few steps at a time. So we called it good. We have decided to let him wear the halter and lead for a couple of days to see how he does with it. We used an old web halter that should break if he gets into a jam. We let him wander around the round pen for a while, while we did chores. I walked back and forth through the round pen several times to take feed to all the boys and each time he would approach and ask for a bite off of each flake. So I of course gave him one. Then I went in and was able to pick up his lead rope and actually lead him back into his pen

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