I think Bar and I are both in a retraining period - though mine may be an actual training period.

We are doing a lot of work together to build trust - trust in him that I know what I'm doing and that he knows what I'm asking; trust in me that I can handle this horse.

It's a lot to learn, but he's a good guy and worth it. If only because the spoiled spotty horse now has to learn to share and stop pawing when she doesn't get her treats first.

We've learned a lot in the nearly two months we've owned Calabar. He's the ex-racehorse who thinks perhaps he still is a racehorse at least some of the time.

Figuring out what methods, tips, tricks, etc., will work with him, what will get him paying enough attention to learn whatever lesson it is you're working on, is very challenging. It is challenging and even entertaining sometimes, but also frustrating and exhausting.

But then you get that moment of cooperation, sometimes even more than just a moment, and it keeps that hope and commitment going until the next lesson.