Itchy ponies

Billy Boy will now allow Paul to scratch his chest and the right side of his neck and withers whilst in the pen as well as in the stable. Always with Paul positioned in front of him or just to the right of BB's head. Today Paul even managed both hands at once, separated and scratching at the base of BB's neck. When this is happening BB has his head past Paul's right shoulder, top lip stuck out. He has realised that Paul has a use.

Paul says: "He comes to me now, to have it done. I'm trying to get on his other (left) side. I feel that once I get there we'll be able to move on".

At the moment as soon as BB feels a hand getting too far around his throat to his left, he backs up to remove the contact. Therefore, Paul is using an advance and retreat technique.
The aim is to get BB to trust Paul enough to allow him to put on a headcollar. It is quite likely that the only time he has had one on before it was forced on prior to his inspection and branding.

Today we put Frodo in the pen with Mousey. She was very pleased to see him and they immediately groomed each other vigorously. In fact she would hardly let him stop; he wanted to eat her hay but she positioned herself in front of it and demanded more grooming!

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