Thanks again for letting me ride Monaco!!!!!

Here’s a quick recap of what I did with Mikey and Duchess this morning (Sat. morn):

started using other cones that I have in my truck and introduced to him the idea of sequencing…I have some small softer soccer cones that are designed to let the wind through.  He successfully touched (he still just goes down to the cone but BARELY touches them with his muzzle…he is much more willing to make contact if I use tennis balls!)…I had a 3 cone sequence and he marched up to each one that I indicated and touched them in sequence!  I put them about 8 feet apart. I also reminded him about backing up and he was much better (yes, of course clicking and treating for each segment)…and I tapped the crest of his neck in rhythm and he did lower his head incrementally.  He was much more accepting of me using the whip around him this time.  This (teaching of lowering the head to tapping in rhythm) needs more work. Also: I am going to add MORE cones next time I’m out there.  Fly sprayed his body and also wiped some around his eyes.

Duchess: lunged her; cantered her some; also showed her an exercise (done on the ground) of suppling her (only did it 2x in each direction)…in essence you get the horse to step over with its hind end AND step smaller (also over) with its front end…while keeping the horse’s poll flexed a tad towards you, the handler.  She took to t his like a champ.  Did spiral in and out in trot (on lunge).  Applied some fly spray around her eyes.