Where's My Face Rake???

This was the way we raked the Sandy...

I delved into Sandy's files this evening to see what kind of things we were doing during week 3 of training and came across this photo. Two major differences can be found in between my two boys. First, Sandy is in mud while Steve Holt! is in snow. Second, and more importantly...where is my face rake??? That little rake was a wonderful tool with Sandy as allowed me into his space from a safe distance as well as let him feel pleasure at the same time.

I've no clue where it's disappeared to. Thankfully, Steve Holt! has been able to cope without it. Getting close is only a problem when catching. Once he's on a lead, he allows me a lot more liberty within his personal bubble.

Steve Holt! had just one work session today. I hadn't really intended to work him much at all, just wanted to lead him out for a bit of trotting time at the end of the lunge line so he could stretch his legs a bit. Of course, even play time is learning time at this point. Pulling off his blanket allows him to once again experience something coming and going from his back. I also manage to work in a little bit of face handling.

In the end I couldn't resist hauling the saddle pads out and plunking them down on his back, followed by the saddle. He's back to moving around a bit, but he's getting the hang of it. Doesn't he look handsome???

I want to thank Jessie for the prize I won over at her blog! I never win anything...this is a most wonderful surprise. It's also inspired me to do something similar here. While most of us love to see and read the comments, I think I'm going to change things up a bit and ask for something else. I love to see those little icons showing up, listing those of you who've signed up as followers of this blog. As I'm typing, that number is at 34. I'd like to see it at 50! So once we (you and I) hit that number, I'll draw a name from the list and offer up an 8x10 photo of your choice. You know...like one of those pretty wild pinto pony photos. So if you've not signed up as a follower yet, now would be the time. You don't even need to have a blog to do it! To get a better idea of some of the photos available, visit Mesteno Wild Horse Photography.