What a brilliant day today

Over the weekend Arani worked out how to stay behind the tape...it's now Monday and he hasn't tried to jump out at all...MMMmmmmmmm I just wonder- when the cattle were next to him ( the other side of the tape) whether he felt that herding instinct, because 2 things have happened since he's not tried...1?" I moved the cattle off the flats and over the hill and 2/. I think he must've got a bit of a shock when he came back through the tape the other day...Ever since he has happily grazed without even trying to get to the other side. Louka, Arani and Oscar all come running when I call them back into the yard, so there is never an issue getting him back...I decided that I would only put one tape through the normal pigtails instead of the 2 tape (tiered) version- if he was going to go- they obviously weren't going to stop him...I want him to be happy to be there, and I didn't want him to have to stay in the smaller paddock long, so it was let him out again & see what happens- He has been an absolute Angel...no more hijinx...Good BOY!!!
Today Lynn and I did the usual cleaning up then we decided to start our training- had been a bit slack while the school holidays were on- we just ran out of steam...so we separated them into 2 yards and in we went...Arani is coming ahead leaps and bounds, Lynn is so kind and they just automatically trust her...It didn't take long and Arani was circling and letting Lynn stroke him with the pole. He still has a long leadrope on and Lynn can direct his movement quite well from there.He moves around a lot more than Oscar- he's very willing to please- He touched Lynn's hand and was eating hay from Lynn's hand by the time we finished.  He followed Lynn from the yard when she went to open the gate- usually they both stay put until we drive them out...It was fantastic.
We then moved on to the carrott stick..we've started the rhythm in the savvy string - First rhythically swinging around the yard to the outside of the bubble space and gradually bringing it in so that we can rhythmically swing it over their back and soothingly stroke them....We want this to feel good to them and it shows when they like it.  Oscar was really great with this- he takes quite a while to get into the groove, but once he does it's just soo worthwhile- his eyes soften and he relaxes, then I am able to step him sideways about 4 steps both ways now..he even came forward with the feel of the rope...he's getting lighter and lighter in the halter each time- He initially takes a bit of a deeeeep breath when I put the pole on him to scratch the mud from his coat but once it's there you can see him physically sigh with relief.  I run my hand up and down the leadrope getting closer and closer to the clip on the halter all the time until I can touch him under the clip then the chin- he's getting better with this too. The huge highlight for me is always when he touches my hand- today he nuzzled it as well and ate some hay from my hand....I can now get him to follow me with both eyes when I walk around the pen- and believe me that was such a biggy for Oscar- He now looks at me with his heart in his eyes...He's beautiful.