Jamaica

Well after my Saturday post and Fernvalley's comment, I got thinking all weekend about Jamaica.  And she is right about the safe place for him.  But he is comfortable anywhere I am as long as I am not touching him.  I knew this too, he has never really been comfortable with my touch, so I went out and just rubbed him all over and over and over again until he was relaxed with that.  I started with his withers and chest moved to his legs and belly and face, no specific spot seemed to bother him more than the rest so I just kept scratching till he was okay and even enjoyed it.   Always before I would wait till he let me scratch him and I called it good. But he never was relaxed or accepting of my touch, he just put up with it cause it was only gonna be a second or so.

Well it must have worked cause yesterday I walked right up to him and his rope was over his neck and I scratched him the fixed the rope and he just stood there and licked his lips!  I was so happy with him and this all took only like 30 seconds.  I think I messed up before but we maybe have it figured out.  Whew.  I knew something was missing but I didn't clue in.  I should have realized, but he never reacted negativly so I thought he was okay with it.  Skipping steps, should never happen even if the horse is quiet.  I know that too just forgot I guess. That why I like being at Jardi's, cause there is always someone around who will give and idea of something that might work, but now I got blog friends too :)  Now we can really accomplish stuff like getting his feet trimmed and gelding and hopefully he will be able to get out of the corral soon.