Withers & Ears

Today was a good day for Odakota.

I have not been able to spend time with him the past 2 days due to an injury from one of my other horses but made my way out there today and he seemed glad to see me. He came right up to me and let me pet his face. I held out on giving him his grain right away to see what he would allow me to do. He let me walk up to his left side and pet his neck. I then tried the right and he was a bit iffy about it as we haven't worked as much on that side so that's when I decided to give him his grain.

Boy how a horse changes when he's got some yummy stuff to munch on. He let me pet his right side down his neck to his withers. I then crossed over to the left and scratched all along his neck and over his withers. So I decided why not try the ears. Well he's not to fond of that one. He bounced back and away from me a few times until he decided the grain was just too good. I was able to rub on both ears. This is a huge step for us. After he was done with his grain I grabbed his lead rope. He did really well with this. I led him around the pen both to the right then to the left. He was amazing. It's still a bit spooky for him and he has not relaxed but hey, he's following. I was even able to pull him to me and rub his neck WITHOUT TREATS :) Yeah Odakota.

We are getting there. It's taking some time but he is really learning to trust us and I am really learning patience.