The Mahan's Made a Break Through

 

This week has been a HUGE change for me and Cut Across, in our relationship and as individuals. I am finding that, like my horses, I am a slow processor. This causes me to make snap judgments. I was unsure if I was going to make the 120 day journey to Texas. I was going to just go with the flow, no time schedule. I adopted him, but I do not have to go to Texas and show. And then we hit a MAJOR break through. After being able to rub him with the carrot stick, I began to walk up the stick. Very slowly, I would take steps towards him.

FINALLY.....

 .....I put my hand on him and put the stick down. He was unsure of it, but he did not spook, jump or bolt away. He actually was interested in what I was doing. He made an effort to bend his head and look at me. After working on this for a few days in the smaller pen, I moved him into the bigger pen. With some effort and a little reminder course, we were ready!

 We added a few more steps in this process. I would rub him till he would turn his head a look at me. Not just turn his head and look away really fast. I wanted him to actually make an effort to keep his eyes on me. After that I started rubbing from his shoulder to his butt, up on his back and down to his belly.

I left him on a great note. I was rubbing him and he turned his head and sniffed me. HE SNIFFED ME!! Oh I am so happy :) Tomorrow is another day and we are heading up! I am so ready for this. After all his hard work, he has earned his dinner :) His grain and lots of Alfalfa.