Lacey is doing well and seems to be thriving in an environment where she is one-on-one with a handler and has only one stable mate, Cameo, also a SAFE alumnus. Her adopter, Janelle does not ride Lacey, however, she spends a lot of time with her and in the last two years has made a lot of progress with Lacey in her attitude and confidence by trying different techniques to gain her trust.
Janelle uses positive reinforcement training (Touch target, Signal, Treat). Lacey is getting much better with her hind end being touched with a rope or object and she picks up her feet with just a signal. The farrier does not have any trouble with trimming Lacey’s hooves. She cooperates with good attitude.
Janelle has also worked hard on teaching Lacey that it is not OK to charge, bite, or kick people when they are in her space. Lacey has been behaving in those areas for quite some time now, but while Janelle has gained her trust, she is always aware that Lacey can have a setback.
