4/27/18
Brushed him off first. 
Today I tried a new cone with Mikey—one of the softer older medium sized ones rather than the ones that are currently used sometimes in the indoor arena.  He was very good about going right to them on the ground after I said “target” and would stand off to the side.  I even tested him and put one 8 - 10 feet away and he walked right over and lowered his nose to it.  Now, I do notice he does not as solidly TOUCH it with his nose like he does the tennis balls but he is about 1/32nd of an inch from it and taht’s a-okay in my book.  The intent is valid.  
I worked on “back” with him (waggling my fingers back and forth as if I was shooting a 6 shooter).  He’s getting better and better about response time.
(note: he’s getting clicks and treats throughout! for all his good behavior)
Used the butt end of the dressage whip after I laid it on the side of his neck and stroked him with it…then tapped it 2x on each shoulder and he easily stepped sideways with his fore feet. Yay. 
Worked on asking him to lower his head and neck. Revisited using the tapping method (lightly, rhythmically) tapped gently on his mane crest. At first he acted insulted.  Backed up some. A few times. tried to march forward (I did not allow this…Jeff Moore said all was okay…even sideways or a few steps of backwards but no forward…as that is often their flight/fight kicking in.  All I wanted him to do was experiment…until he started getting the message to lower his head to the tapping.  He started to get the idea.  I will revisit it again tomorrow morning.  
I also asked him to lift each of his four feet to command (“up” plus either pointing at said foot with my whip or in the case of the hinds having to touch the front of his cannon bones—he really lifted his feet WAY high!!! Oy vey! But it was one foot at a time as I asked so I clicked and treated each time and made a big fuss.

With Duchess: lunged her and made sure going to the left (counterclockwise) I walked out in a big circle with her so she was traveling trotting on a VERY large circle (30-40 meters) and this assisted her in being able to use her bad hind leg better. The other way she even was offering me stretches on her own at trot. I also spiraled her gently in and out ( both directions) at trot and walk.  And I played a bit with the voltes/small circles.  Made a huge fuss too out of her.