I think I will check how quickly the HR drops just standing, and then when I ask for the head down cue and click then treat with carrots.
There sems to be some variation from horse to horse. Tali (Arab) would drop like a rock when I stroked his face. Although the general rule is that eating will hinder pulsing down, my firend Gayle's horse goes down when he's eating. Hunter goes up when he drinks and more when he chews and swallows. Of course I let him drink, but can't let him eat until he's down. Right now, I'm working with ear TTouching. It is getting better. This is a horse that doesn't like to be touched, so I first had to teach him that it is pleasant. I am doing his ear work when I bring him in to feed him at night, a happy time. Tosca doesn't like to be sponged, so she's learning that sponging is a good thing. Assuming I actually take her somewhere, sponging will be important. Nancy
