Prince was our first horse today. We have had him about a month and have gotten him over some of his worst dominance problems. His ground skills are improving and he is being driven. He still trips all over the obstacles, due to not paying any attention to where he puts his feet. This also follows through to not paying any attention to his handler. But, he is turning, backing and sidepassing in the driving reins. We are driving this horse to soften him up, and give him the confidence to follow his nose. This will lead to riding him.

We played the catching game with Fred today. Fred has a lot of fear about people. We worked with him with steady pressure to move his body around. We did desensitization at liberty so he could make his own decision to stay or leave. When he gets over his fear of humans, this will be a very nice gelding.

Cinco is the scared one. Even more scared than Fred. We played the catching game at liberty. His draw and join up was much faster today. We also worked on getting him to turn his feet loose, so he can travel with more cadence in his gaits. We also desensitized him at liberty. He could make the choice to stay or go. When the pressure is too much he can leave at liberty. This is vital with a scared horse like this one is. They have to be able to get their feet moving, because a horse only has one good weapon, and that is being able to run. When you trap them in any way, they think they are going to be eaten.

George is a real nice horse, who just needs a leader that will set perameters for him. His ground skills have really improved. He asks a lot of questions and is very curious about what is going on. Today we worked on teaching him all the ground skills. He is very willing and curious.

Sugarfoot found out that she has to follow a leader today. And she didn't want to! She showed her dominant side. This mare looks like a sweet little mare and she is, but she is also trying to be the alpha of her herd of two. Her herd of two consists of horseman and horse. We played the catching game at liberty and she wouldn't join on. Then, she finally decided to. We think tomorrow she will be better at this game, but you just never know.