Casper Day 34… Trust. Confidence. Connection.

Casper Day 34… Trust. Confidence. Connection.
Casper is very responsive and a clear communicator. I am demonstrating how to support and guide him. His over sensing (self preservation) is a lot like my dog Auzzie. 
Yes, it is about working with the physical -asking for step forward, step back… but the bigger picture of awareness for Casper is spiritual, emotional, – Can I leave, do I want to leave? How can I pay attention to details when I need to watch everything else going on? 
He is curious, and the treats and chewing allow his body and mind to keep releasing nervous energy (TMJ motion – the most proprioceptive nerves in the body run through the TMJ) so that I can ask for calm and he can give calm. 
The more I am able to get him feeling calm, the more he will seek that place in himself, because it feels good…

Preparing an untouchable horse to stand still and allow me to touch his face. Haltering him is impossible unless forced into an area he can’t escape. Getting close to him has taken time. Casper will stand and face me, will take treats, will allow me to touch the end of his nose. I move to stand beside his neck or shoulder and he moves away… I’d like him to be OK with being touched and handled. The work I am doing is Equal Partnership, and he is beginning to connect and become a partner. When I ask too much, he leaves, when I get too close, he leaves… but today – 18 minutes total, he didn’t feel the need to leave. Haltering is the intent, when he allows me to put a halter on, I will be very pleased, snow storms and below zero temps will be coming soon, I would like him to be with the other horses.