
Today Casper and I started by grooming. I checked his legs and discovered that although there is some black scabs left they did not spread much at all, as far as I could see. As I was picking out his hooves I noticed a funny smell that is not usually there. I got worried that he developed thrush but after further examination and me sniffing his hooves I realized that his frogs were not sensitive at all. However I still drenched his frogs in apple cider vinegar.
I noticed he moved in a noticeably relaxed way after his massage treatment.
I then let Casper loose in the indoor arena and went to talk to Kaila and to get his breakfast. When I brought his grain I set it down on the bridge. As he was coming I asked him to stop about ten feet away with my energy. Casper thought about stopping but decided to keep moving towards his grain. I raised my hand and waited long enough for him to take two steps, I then blocked him with my stick and asked him to wait for a second. Next I raised my finger again and asked him to yoyo back to where I originally asked him to stop. He usually yoyos back at very light phases and today he went back at only a phase one. I then waited for him to ask a question and then I pointed at his bucket and watched him walk over to it and start eating. I noticed he was making odd noises as he was eating which I have not heard him make before. I made double sure that he was not choking. I decided to watch him eat the next time I come out and do my own research. But then again, what if I am overreacting?
I then let him back in his paddock for a little while because Kaila needed the arena. When I went to get him he came up to me and then all of a sudden he left me to go back in his stall. I went after him and walked around so that he could see me and asked him to disengage his HQ and he came back. I haltered him and then went to the outdoor arena. I then asked him to do the bending exercise at the walk and trot. Casper was putting in a great effort and bending in and stepping under himself so nicely! I then let him on a bigger circle and waited for him to connect. When he did, I asked him to canter a little in each direction so that I could observe his movement. I was very pleased to see that he picked up the correct lead in every direction. However his gait still looked a bit different to me.