April 3, 2018
Did 3 mini clicker sessions with Mikey today. First I drove in and parked next to his paddock.Got out and called to. him. He nickered and came to meet me from where he had been standing all the way in the back of his paddock.  I put his halter on. him.  Used my shedding blade on him and got more mats and old winter coat off of. him.  Then used the clicker and worked on "whoa" and "come."  What I did was ask. him to stand where he was standing and would say whoa and then click and reward for him NOT moving any of his feet. Naturally he did reach out and beg some...and at first he kept taking a step or two towards me. I then began rewarding him much closer in so he was set up for success.  And, each time he broke protocol (walked towards me), I asked him to back to his original spot.  (and would click when he backed up to my request).  Then I told him I'd be back for. him later after my lesson.  I did go back and collect him.  He was not super good about whoa yet.  I took him first to the tack up/cross tie area and groomed on him some more and put some Corona on some spots he had (that are getting better).  Then I took him to the round pen and did the same lesson.  He got pretty good about backing up, actually.  He still did not totally grasp the whoa. part. To instill "come" I would lean forward a bit (tip forward) and comb the lead line or the lunge line in an inviting gesture towards my solar plexus and kiss.  He caught on to the immediately.  click and treat every time!  Then I used the lungeline to ask him to back up a bit (shook it a lot...made his halter vibrate on his face)...would quit the moment he backed to my request...click and treat.  Then worked again on the "whoa" part.  He finally was standing when I walked about 3-4 feet in an arc around his forehand.  click and treat.  Took him back to his paddock...let him graze for just a few minutes before I turned him in to his paddock. Then once inside...took off. his halter and now for mini session #3...I tested him on back, whoa and come (kiss along with inviting arm gestures) and he was perfect!  Much praise. Will see him again on Fri.