Training a 2 year old gelding

Question
I have a 2 year old gelding. When he's tied, he sometimes pulls back. How can I teach him not to do that? Also, he's skittish around new people. He's been out at my farm since he was born, so he doesn't see a lot of people. He's perfectly comfortable around me, but he doesn't like being around new people. Is there any way to make him more comfortable other than just bringing people he doesn't know around him? I'm also thinking about trying to get a saddle on him soon. He still has a lot of growing left to do, so I won't be ridding him yet, but I want to go ahead and start lunging him with the saddle. He already seems cautious of it when I put it on my other horses. Is there a good way to get him to accept the saddle?

I had a horse rear up and fall over backward on me about 4 years ago. I had to have surgery (I don't have any problems from the accident now), but I haven't been on a horse since then. I want to start riding again though. What are some confidence builders I could work on?

Answer
Hi Courtney,
A horse pulls back when tied because he feels claustrophobic. Horses have a flight or fight mode. Their first instinct is to run..(flight)...if they can't run, then they will do what it takes to defend themselves...(fight#. Your horse is startled and pulls back on the rope while tied. Once he gets to the end of the rope and can't move his feet any further, he panics and begins to fight. As long as he can move his feet, he will stop pulling and fighting. To get him over this, you have to teach him that it's ok to stand tied and there is nothing that will hurt him.
I suggest #and it works for me#, is get a long lead rope #about 14ft) and a rope halter. Bring your horse up to the trailer and run the lead through the tie ring on the side of the trailer. Don't tie it. Just run it through so it will slip freely through the tie ring attached to the trailer. If he pulls back, let him. And let the rope slide through your hands, but be ready to grab the end of it if it slips through the ring. You will find that once your horse finds that he can move his feet, he will stop pulling. When he stops, bring him back up to the trailer and do it again. Each time your horse pulls back, the distance he pulls back will grow smaller. Soon he will just stand there. Once he just stands there, I then try to scare my horse. I will make a noise, take my hat off or anything small like that to spook him. He will pull back again. Just let him move back, making sure I can grab the end of the rope. Again, once he finds he can move his feet, he will stop. Just bring him back up to the tie spot and do it all over again. This takes repetition so be patient.
As far as "he doesn't like to be around new people", I would expose him to as many new people as I could. Simple as that.
Unless you have experience in starting colts, I would suggest letting an experienced, qualified trainer start your horse. Starting horses under saddle can be a dangerous experience and could land you in the hospital or worse. And you could instill some very bad habits in your horse from your lack of knowledge. You have already had a very bad experience with a horse and have a back injury. You haven't ridden a horse in 4 years. Please don't try to start this horse yourself. It's not worth it.
I would ask a friend who has a gentle, well broke horse to let you ride their horse to build your confidence. Ride with your friend. Or you can go to a good stable that gives instruction and they can provide you with a horse you can ride until you get your confidence back. But, most of all, ride a horse that is well broke and ride with someone else until you feel "right" about it.
I hope I have been of help to you. Please stay safe.