23/06/2026
This week saw so many positive steps moving forward in Sancho's education. He has learnt to lunge using 2 reins followed by learning to long rein in the roundyard. We gradually transitioned from the roundyard to the driveway around the barn and eventually into the obstacle paddock while staying lovely and calm throughout the whole process.
Asking him to stand quietly in the wash bay while gearing him up is still a work in progress but each day he is showing a tiny bit of improvement.
On Sunday he happily accepted the bridle without throwing his head or turning away from me refusing to be bridled. What a good boy 💙
This I felt was our greatest achievement to date 😃
I do wonder what on earth or who on earth has ever caused him obvious pain and so much anxiety when he sees gear of any sort. It's so very sad to think that all Sancho's issues have been human related 😭
Sunday saw another milestone achieved with Sancho being schooled in the obstacle paddock with all other horses TOTALLY out of sight. This was a first for him as his extreme anxiety and lack of confidence fed into a vicious cycle of self doubt.
We had 1 mini dummy spit but nothing we couldn't work through and no wanting to flee the situation which was something Sancho would religiously do.
We finished on a positive note with him calm and relaxed and patient. The one thing I never thought Sancho would ever be 💙 It's amazing to watch Sancho transforming from a very naughty, bad mannered, stressed, and on the verge of being a dangerous horse full of anxiety with no appetite and no confidence into a calm happy and content horse who now has manners and who's confidence is building with a super appetite 😂
Onwards and upwards from here 💙
