horse afraid of saddling

Question
Hopefully you can help me with this ten year old (I think, haven't seen it's papers) gelding. He's since eight months in our jumping stable and had already problems with saddling,but it's even getting worse although they don't use force. He doesn't seem nervous when he sees the saddle, but they can only put the saddle with curt to him when he stand with his hind in a corner otherwise he will let himself fall.His eyes move away and he does not want to walk(Even when the curt is loose). They bend him sometimes with his head to the left and the right and when they feel a bit more relaxation they let him walk out off his box. If they let him stand still immediately after, he is all tense. But if you walk a little while, he will be OK. Till now I haven't worked with him, I only want to interfere if I can really help. I have some experience with horses who are afraid, but not particularly in this way. Can you describe  a good method to help this horse (and owner?).They tried to lounge him first to relax,no progress.Too bad he's kept all    
day/night in his box. When your on him, everything seems fine. Even to get on him does not seem to bother him. I have heard that when a horse has a problem like this it will just get worse and there is nothing you can do about it. However, I do not believe that, and I really want to give it a try. The problem is, I am not every day at the stable, normally just twice a week. Do you think I can do something, or at least explain to them in witch way they can work it out? Because I feel sorry for this horse, and also for the young girl that owns him and can not even saddle her own horse! I am sure she would like to. When you need further information, I am pleased to give it to you. Joelle, Italy
For now thanks already and I am very pleased there is a website like this, thank you all for this work!


Answer
Hi Joelle!

I cannot give training advice to non-owners of the horse in question.
It is solely the owner's responsibility to correctly solve this issue.

I can say in the broadest of terms though, that this may not be a good choice for a riding horse for a young girl.  This sounds like a real fear issue for the horse.  It could take years of training to correct such a deeply dysfunctional horse.

In the end, some things cannot be fixed completely and the horse is a danger to itself and everyone around it.  Sometimes it's best to allow the horse to live another kind of life, with no riding involved.  Then, the owner can purchase a solid and safe horse that is a pleasure to ride.

Anything with a brain can be "off".  For whatever reason, one may never know.  Sometimes it's just easier to give the horse a calmer  non-riding life than to try to force it change to do what it is clearly unhappy doing.

Solange