Spooking Out The Worries

[Sam]

Horse Tempered Passion
Trainer Sam
Purpose De-Spooking/Sacking out


Hoof pawed into the round pen's sandy ground, inpatient with me today. I smiled as I rubbed the burlap sack over his back over and over until I let it set over his back. Before the clicker even sounded, he looked towards me for grain, his lips flapping in anticipation. I just chuckle before turning his head away, clicking, then offering the grain which he took with glee.

He watched me, probably just looking for grain rather then nervous about the sack. Still I took it slow. The sack brushed against his pelt, once, twice, then slowly it slid over his back. Now he shifted, ears rolling back and his whole frame becoming stiff. As one hand rubbed down his neck, the other pushed on the clicker before offering the now nervous colt. Despite his current edginess of the sack on his back, he still took the grain with delight.

It's not so scary is it? I questioned him with a small smile as I patted his neck. My hand gently shifted the bag, making him slightly stiffer. All his instincts told him to flee.That the sack on his back was some predator about to bite into his neck. Despite all this, he stayed. Whether he stayed for the trust in me or for more grain, I didn't know but I was happy either way.

The clicker sounded one more time and the customary grain was offered before I took a gentle hold on his halter. I pulled gently, at first he threw his head against me and shifted his weight back. I kept my pull light though, never backing down for an instance. The dark bay head still stayed up for a moment or two before he accidentally took a step forwards in an attempt to get away from my hand. It was good enough for me. The second his front hoof landed in front of the other the rewarding sounds of the clicker came from my hand. The high-held head now came down to my other hand which fished out the grain.

After his lips had taken, or pushed away, all of the grain, I gave the gentle pull again. This time he stood there, slightly pulling against me until he decided to test me a bit. Carefully, he took a stride forwards. The clicker made it's usual sound, instantly rewarding the colt as I asked for more. His hoof moved forwards again. Another step, click, a hard hoof slowly came forwards, click, then for the fifth time a stride was taken, click. Smiling, I finally offered the grain to the impatient stud.

Such a good boy, I cooed as I pushed my hand down his fuzzy neck. He bent his head to glance at me slightly, probably just hoping for more grain.

Now I stopped asking him to come forwards as I went to his side, my hands touching the sack. I flapped it a bit, he flinched but stood. I clicked but held back the grain as I pulled the sack up to his neck, then pushed it back to his back. Once again, I clicked but this time the grain was given to Tim.

I repeated the sack coming up to his neck, though this time I allowed the sack down to his back with more careless flapping. This time the sack kept going to brush down his rump before being placed back onto his back. He stood statue still, somewhat worried but growing to understand. I click and gave him his average reward before I turned back to the sack.

Now I quickly pulled it off his back. When he flinched but didn't move, I clicked again, giving a small amount of grain. Now for his harder part of the test.

I backed up a few feet away, Tim watching me the whole while, and then took the sack and started to flap it wildly. He watched with eager and interested eyes but didn't spook at the sudden movement. The flap continued to flap wildly from my hands as I took careful steps towards him, every now and then sending the sack towards him. He would turn his head away but his hooves were planted.

I came close enough I could touch him. One hand gave a small pat before I let the sack gently slap his shoulder. He twitched and acted as if he would bolt but stood still. Such a good boy, I cooed with another light slap at his shoulder. This time he stood, his head turned away from me, probably just not wanting to get hit in the face with the sack. The flap slowly went down his body to his rump.

I walked away, the sack still flapping. Tim watched again as I came around to his other side to repeat the process. His reactions were smaller and less worried. Very slowly, but surely, his frame was growing relaxed.

I let the sack grow still, and threw it to the edge of the round pen for another day's use. Such a good boy, I cooed as I click the clicker nearly a dozen times as my other hand brought out a large handful of grain. Nothin' much scares you huh? I praised again. My hand which wasn't occupied with his hungry lips, gently brushed back his forelock to see his white star. I leaned forwards, gently kissing it as he finished off the grain.

Word Count: 953