Desensitize {acceptance}

Once Keena was fit enough, I began playing with her. Letting her get use to me, to Connor, a handling routine. She calmed and became accepting of many of the circumstances we placed her in.

It has been amazing to watch her blossom into a self-confident young mare. And equally amazing to watch she and my son play together, usually at the water troughs splashing or with toy cars and trucks.  She loved to snatch his toy cars from him when he least expects it. She then moves them into her own pile of toys, while he waits for his opportune moment to steal them away.

Our favorite early game was the towel and wet clothing game. Connor always has a way of getting his clothing filthy at the barn. Either he is playing with the hose, the troughs and buckets, or the mud holes after a rain. Keena gladly accepted the role of "dryer". 

Never flinches when we shake a towel out or even toss it over her head. Keep in mind she is still only a yearly! 

Such a silly girl!