unable to ride my horse

Question
I have just been reading a reply you gave to someone about their Dutch Warmblood and was very interested in your reply so thought you may be able to help me.

I recently bought a 17.2 8 year old Dutch Warmblood. His previous owner mistreated him and consequently he now has several issues. He knows me well enough now that he'll come to me in the field, i can catch him and he's calm on the yard and even when he's tacked up (when i first bought him you couldn't get near him, touch his face or get close to putting a bridle on!) but as soon as he's put near a mounting block and the reins are shortened he backs off. If you can get him to stand still long enough to get on, he panics, bucks and tries to wizz off. I have been paying someone to try and overcome this problem, but it has not been successful. Ulbie (my horse) seemed to get more wound up with this guy coming than if i tried to do it myself. In general he seems a very nervous horse, spooks if you move to fast or move your arms in the air, or if you raise your voise. I am a very caring and patient person and would never hurt him, but his previous owner was not.

I want to crack on with this now and get him rideable before the dark nights come when i probably won't be able to ride during the week. Please can you help me!!!!!!!

Answer
Hi Lisa!

I have heard this more than once...A rich girl at a nearby barn paid a fortune for an imported Warmblood and he freaks out to a dangerous degree when set by the mounting block.

Why?

Who knows.  You say it was a cruel previous owner...but it may be something as simple as he is a doofus.  A silly ninny who is scared of his own shadow and was born that way.  Ever met a nervous human?  They are in a perfectly relaxed and safe setting but, their inner voice is so whacked out they are convinced that danger is around every corner!  Well, horses come like that too.  And often in the Warmblood breeds.  They take a very long time to mature mentally and while he is 8 years old and should be on his way to being a "big boy"...he may be emotionally stunted by gaps in his training that have left him distrustful of new situations.  No real inner confidence.

I say stop riding him and concentrate on building a real and solid foundation of trust and work ethic through correct ground work.  Forget the mounting block for now.  That is not the real problem.  It is just a symptom of the true issue.  His lack of confidence and distrust.  So...YOU must be his rock of confidence and authority.

If you do not like the current trainer you have, fire him.  Get one you do like that works with both of you, keeps you informed and shows a real competency that produces real progress.  Do not interfere.... allow him/her to do their job while you watch and learn.  

But, if you do not see results that matter, fire that one and get one that does.  Do not be concerned by firmness and an occasional harsh correction.  A Warmblood is a huge horse and must obey.  If that includes a smacking around, so be it.  In a herd a dominant horse gets her way by biting and kicking.  That is what a horse understands innately.  A discussion during training must be swift, meaningful and correct...so so not discount a trainer for roughing up your "baby"...your 1200 pound baby!  HaHa.

Solange