Poptart and the Tarp Session 3

Session 3 of "The Tarp". Significant improvement, he ended with being comfortable with the tarp swinging to his belly and hitting his hind limbs and even being tangled with his hind legs a bit. We even started with wearing the tarp like a blanket and he would walk calmly until it came off, but he wasn't truly relaxed about it-- for next time. Future plans include sliding it under his belly like a girth and using the tarp as a rope to pickup his legs and lead by the leg.

Ponied Poptart

On Monday we trailered out and went on an 8 mile group trail ride through the national forest. I rode Rogan and ponied Poptart. He wore his hoof boots (still looks at them a bit when they are put on), loaded well, and got great exposure to trails, creek crossing, brush, other horses, the whole shebang!! Now just for more repetition :)

Poptart and the Tarp

This is from session 2 of many ...
I really like the change in his expression in the 2nd half, he was still unsure of the tarp but was much more engaged (and thinking about cookies rather than escape) and not so internal-- big progress! I also like the adrenaline release (neck shaking with head down) at the end.