Learning to lead on a soft feel

Mustang colt, Yata, 2008

Zubair on an adventure with me, 2009

A 2 month old Arabian stud colt learns that a walk with the handler is fun. No butt ropes to pull him along. He is happy to follow.

Leading is on a soft feel with float in the rope

Zubair, 2009

Backing off a light feel begins early.

Rewards of soft stroking calm and reassure the colt he is safe and in trusted hands.

Someday, a saddle will be no big deal for him. Zubair is relaxed with me holding around the girth area early on.

This weanling filly is reluctant to venture through this doorway into unfamiliar territory. I'm working with her natural curiosity here and asking her to lower her head.

Saree, 2009

She finally decides to lower her head and check out the ground.

Now she learns there is a lot to discover as she explores things in our man-made world.

Exposure to all sorts of "scary things" builds confidence in the filly and trust in the handler

Saree, 2009