Cochise 1st saddling!
Saddled Cochise after a few minute of prep with black plastic tied around his middle, he didn't even spook when I approached with about 10 feet of blowing black plastic. I tied it snug and sent him
out on a circle and he trotted around like he was born with the stuff tied on him! ;-) Then I played approach and retreat with pad then saddle and he stood for me to do all the straps and then trotted
off like no big deal! He's so cool. Check out the photos!

 

Cochise with tarp learning the yo-yo (the come here- go away) game.  Check out the rest of the pictures in the gallery of todays training.

 

Wow, today was a very hot day, glad we started early!  April came to visit Cochise this morning with some hay and grain, and to watch his progress.  Cochise was haltered today, then learned leading and tying.  He is a beautiful horse. Be sure to check out the gallery of photos, some taken with April's camera and some taken from Diana's phone.

 I'm so excited. I petted Cochise all down his right side and to his shoulder on his left(his least favorite side) I know it's been a month, but I have 15 horses in training and have only got to work with Cochise about 6 times now, and didn't have the BLM halter him. So all the work we've done so far has been by his choice. I prefer this approach, even though the initial contact takes longer. I'll post pictures or have April do it for me!

 

Diana and I started our visit first with a short trail ride through the hay field.  Always enjoy a ride.  Then I settled in on a small chair to watch as Cochise made full strides around the pen.  He learned that the pink ball, green sled, white tarp, and a few logs are not so bad.   Cochise got the rag on his face with fly spray, sure helped with the flies.
- April

Today, we the Sanders decided to sponsor Cochise with some grain and hay for a couple of weeks.  While I was there delivering, Diana was working Cochise in the round pen.  He was squaring up and facing Diana with respect. She worked Cochise hard: moving his feet to the left and to the right. He is a fast learner. He did not like the flies, tolerated the chickens, and ignored the dogs.  Cochise moves with such grace and his mane flows with beauty.  And wow his cannon bones are big, they're going to be great on the trail rides. 

When talking to Diana she said that she loves his face and the way he moves.  She says Cochise loves to play in his water so much it keeps his pen muddy.  She is also looking forward to seeing pictures and tracking his progress next week.
-April 

Elm Creek Nebraska, pick up day for EMM. 
He came running around the corner with two buddies from an internet adoption to be loaded and was brought home with his friends. Ride home went fine and the unload was expected to be wild, but the new arrival, Cochise, was more curious to the new surroundings of Mesteno Ridge.