Cheyenne. . .

An eight-year-old silver bay frame overo american paint gelding.  Fabulous jumper.  This large pony has free jumped four foot oxer on a three foot spread with the finese of Germany's cherished young prospects.  This pony is a children's hunter jackpot.  The fault?

He is literally scared of everything.

Cheyenne's flight instinct is so strong he flinches when you bring your hands up to pet him, if you get him to stay there without a halter.  In the brief moments you have his trust and see his true nature, there is a very affectionate horse.  He needs direction and time and patience.

Each interation, in order to get anything done, is a minimum of an hour.  Starts with twenty minutes of submission of his head as there is favorablity of throwing it up, we like it down.  Some jingling of the blanket.  And a walk without leadrope.

That is not always the best idea but with certain people it helps for their brains to be overly aware as to process information swiftly in case of potiential obstacles.  Then it's chore time.  Cheyenne is on the crossties, every gate is closed as the cross ties are break away, and stalls and general ruckus making is ensued.  The blanket is taken on and off, left on to fall off, anything to push him out of his comfort zone.  Even at this point it is still flinch flinch flinch, scoot scoot, looooooooong look with that eye, flared nostrils.  Then lunge time, with either stud chain or bridle.  Lots of halt halts to prevent excessive pulling as his greatest desire is to run away from you.  For the better part of an hour.  Both directions.

He'll come around.  His jumping talent is too exciting to not give him a chance.