Relationships take work

Yoshi and I have been going through another period of relationship building. The day my friend came out, which was also the day that he went lame, she noted how much better he was while being groomed than he had been when we moved back in May. But he was still cranky. He no longer kicks out at being touched, but he still makes faces, a LOT. Since I'm back at square one with riding, I decided we could go back to square one with ground work as well. I (re)started working with him with R+. Any touch with hand or brush gets held gently, no increasing pressure, until there is a positive or neutral response. Then click and treat. 

We're on day 3 of consistently doing this. So far we have a decreased time to positive or neutral reaction. We also have an increased pawing behavior; I'm ignoring that in hopes it will become extinct if not rewarded. I'll be honest, I'm discouraged on both fronts right now. He is a friendly horse in that he meets me at the pasture gate almost every time, he comes when he's called, he goes to find people to hang out if anyone (me or the GY's) is in the pasture working on something. He will enjoy face scratches or even hugs, but move behind the poll and then he seems to stop enjoying the interaction. 

I assume it is still guarding from his days at the track. He clearly was not a well cared for and maintained TB given the initial state of his feet and teeth and his endless racing schedule. I would not be surprised if the handling was equally... lacking. But it is discouraging and sad to feel like he wants to be a horse that enjoys human contact, but somehow can't be. As that human of his, it hurts me to feel like he is upset about anything I do. 

Might've also taken scissors to his mane recently 

Blogging about not riding is about as much fun as not riding. I feel obligated to continue though, I'm not sure why. 

We tried trazodone and turn out and he continues to get beat up, so that was mostly a failure, and means I don't have a great way to prevent general body soreness from his shenanigans.