Patience wasn't mean, but she definitely didn't like people getting into her space. Cindy could get hold of her halter lead and touch her head and shoulder, but Patience would not give her any more. One day Patience got the halter off and there was no touching her.

We went over to see what the horse was all about and worked with her a little using clicker training. She responded somewhat favorably so Cindy asked us to take her over to the ranch where we had more appropriate facilities and the little mare became a clicker-expert.

She did well enough that we could groom her all over, turn her out, work obstacles such as wooden bridges, stairs and walking through tires, trim feet and work simple problems in about a week. We'd turn any potential scary object into a click target and Patience would touch anything from the farrier's equipment to pigs and cows.

Patience is now very happy in her human environment, seems to enjoy the attention, and never gets into trouble although she is definitely alpha when turned out with another gelding and holds her own with the larger mares.

We'll post more of Patience's exploits in the gallery.