bad behavier

Question
I've started working with a mare that was trained to ride improperly. She was chased around, thrown a saddle on her, and then a rider. She is a 5y/o appaloosa mare. She has the kindest personality until you ask her to do something she doesn't want to do. She is also very spooky and hate crowds. Also, she will not let me pick up her left hind hoof. I am thinking that she needs to be start over like a yearling. Am I right?

Answer
Hello Brittany,

You are absolutely! right.  This is a sad but oft repeated story about how horses are started by untrained riders.  Unlike dogs, horses have long memories and they do not forget.  What you will have to do is overlay all her bad training and bad memories with good ones.  It requires a longer time to retrain a badly trained horse than doing it right the first time.  So be patient, patient and patient.  BUT establish rules and boundaries as you go along.  She has learned how to get out of a bad situation and she will try the same with you.

Good luck with her,
Dorothy