Marty giving in, as he will do anything to avoid you touching his head, quiet persistance is on the cards, and even though he may let you stroke him on his head one day, doesnt meant to say he will the next, so repetitve handling with kindness and quiet resolve to tap into that closed mind is one of my challenges for this year. Marty on his stock traning in heavy rain, he is proving to be a good boy under saddle, and is also settling to me working the dogs (which does include some shouting, especially at a distance) and he is fine with that,
He has also had consistent training on the worst slopes, up, down, and accross the worst parts, which he is getting better at each time, and is learning to look where he is going, as self preservation is a priority, if they dont look where they are going on the slopes when going across them, then they can lose thier hindquarters off a track and have to struggle to get back on track, they usually only do that once.
After a few months of muscling up now, he is starting to look really nice, with his tail and mane starting to grow out now,
In his first day of yard work, he has to wait for us to finish each lot of animals, and spends time watching and listening intently,
Now though, he comes into the yard and stands a lot more relaxed, and uses that time to rest.


He is a very clever boy, and finds after a bit of practice that is is easy to push old or lame ewes home slowly, and he is a very useful partner.
He has also proved to be a steady boy out on cold windy days driving the lambs home and with dogs all arond his heels.
He has been used with several different groups of cattle, building up in cow size and building up his confidence, and he doesnt bat an eyelid, and will do what is asked.
And he doesnt mind any nosey lambs checking him out either,
He isnt a speed machine and is very steady out on trail rides and has been used as a lead horse, and is good in company, he does gates really well out on Endurance rides, and is a good companinon for nervous or younger horses.
He has only been ridden bitless here, and has been very good,he neck riens, and have had a lot of fun on him throught the year.