Invisible Monsters

What is funny with Lazarus....or I don't know if 'funny' is the word, maybe different or A-typical, but it sure is strange that he doesn't spook at things you think he would. 

 "A hammock, nah...seems nice.  A tarp, nah, seems like water and I like water.  WAIT?! What was that....do you see it?! I don't either but I'm SCARED, let's get outta here!!!!!!"

Our lessons of walking around the arena, the front yard and now the entire property pose different invisible monsters that I just don't see. It makes it impossible to try and guess when he'll act up. Now I should thank my pony for alerting me when the face eating monsters are hiding, right?! But, I'd rather not.  I would rather Laz chooses to spook in place, and then THINK about:  "why would I be scared....my Mom is here, my BO is here..and I'm pretty much safe all the time so I should just chill and walk nice."

Oh well, in theory that would be nice and maybe he'll get there. He is acting braver and more responsive to my growls when I'm telling him, 'watch it!'  He tends to rush up on me when he's scared or flighty.  I don't might him being a TB and UP, but we are working on doing that spooking nonsense on a level 20-30 instead of a 100, and to not run over me.  He knocked into my leg yesterday and I backed him up about 5 big steps and told him to knock it off.  Other than that, he did VERY well.  When he does spook/get scared of something, he tends to act like he doesn't see me when the BIG spooks come, which is really what scares me. A lot of you have sent me articles about the dominant eye...and I think it's his left. He likes to have his left eye on things, it seems...but again; A-typical.

  We walked about 1/4 mile around the property (where he hasn't been since October) and we even survived when the pastured horses came galloping up to us, and then galloping away.  Boy, did Laz want to take off! Instead I had to check him and I'm pretty sure at one point I said "I AM YOUR MOMMA...LISTEN TO ME!!!"

And he did! :)  I'm feeling better about handling him, not that it isn't intense and scary at times, but I'm learning about this high personality too and how to handle it....well, at least for now, on the ground. In the saddle will be a whole new beast, gulp. 

Below is a video from the same day, where he was feeling more comfortable.

We walked through the barrels and onto the tarp  (this was our first time walking on tarps) and he did great. Didn't even think about it. 

That is what I mean...a typical.

Ok and this video was from a few weeks ago.  I've been having problems with uploading videos on to my blogger for some reason! Grrr, but finally got this to work.

He did so well with the ball but he was really relaxed that day in the arena as well, so he was a better pupil and more open to new things. I will say, when the BO first bounced the ball in, he and I both freaked, lol! 

You can see the end result was bravery!