I just got back from Banjo, and we had some progress!

I've been working on leading him, because that seems to be the only time he tries to bite me. And well it's working. 2 days ago he tried at least 5 times, every time i would 'blow up', and then just continue like it didn't happen. Today he did it once, and didn't try again! As for the stopping mid walk, he's hardly doing that, he's figured it out it's easier to keep following me then to do a circle.

I'm so happy, but i forgot to mention why the sudden change in his behavior. It's pretty funny actually. It all started when i was studying for my agriculture exam (yes, i actually attempt to study, lol), i was reading my textbook, and i was skimming through the vitamins and minerals section, and and and, i lost what i was saying, oh yes, it was talking about the deficiencies and their symptoms. Some symptoms for calcium deficiency include: enlargement of joints, lameness and stiffness. And phosphorus deficiency: will chew on wood. Banjo was lame, a little stiff and chewing on wood. This is caused because the pastures he is on and has been on since I've owned him have mainly been non-native grasses. It is totally confusing, but it makes sense in my head. It's got something to do with oxalate.... SO i gave him a lick block, which is sort of a winter supplement, but contains calcium and phosphorus.

It's only been a couple of days and i can already see the difference. But i say that all the time, and it's not true. Just have to wait and see.

ANOTHER BIG ACHIEVEMENT:

Today i brushed Banjo for the first time since his run in with the gate! I was so excited!! Every other time i took the brush near him he would pull back, and just not want to be near it, or any thing else for that matter. He accepted it almost straight away, and he let me brush me all over (face and all). He's still muddy from the rain the other day, so i really wanted to get the harder brush, but i didn't want to push my luck.

But i did after anyway, i got him to lift his front feet. Which he is good at, only needing light pressure. BUT, i had this impulse to lift his back feet, i'm always really worried that he would kick me or something. He didn't try to, but i wasn't very successful. There's always next time.

Better go, everyone is annoying me.

Lily.