advise on how to get my new pony to trust me

Question
hi iv just got a pony called bo iv had him now about 4 weeks well when he come to me he was a hand full because he lived out all year round and now i have him in a stable at night and graze in the day the first week he tried every think to get out the stable by rearing  kicking the door but now hes clamed down from that. well when i got him they said he was gelded about 5 weeks before i had him so he still has that stallion instinct in him but i still have a fear of him because every time i walk him in or out the field his ears are pined to his head but has never done much more but the look of him like that scares me a bit not knowing what hes going to do next as when i got him i was told he was a 2 year old and when i had the vet out for a check up and to have his boosters she told me hes about 5 yrs old so i wont to get some ground rules in to him as iv always had older horses already trained.  this is a first for me to own a young horses and could u tell me how to start ground rules please and how to teach him them i groom him when hes grazing as when hes tied up he just wont stand still but his ok with it if i let him graz when grooming and iv only just got his hoofs up for cleaning that was a problem but sorted that now.  I'm also scared to go in the stable with him when hes eating his feed as if i do his ears are right back and he starts to gulp his feed down which he don't do when I'm not in there (he must think I'm going to take it away )as last owners only feed him in the winter but i know hes still young and need the feed for his growth and condition but how can i be able to get in the stable with him and not feel like he goner do something bad to me he might not but it the impression and looks he gives can i say hes never kicked me or  reared on me he did bit me when i got him about 2 days after but i shout no in a sharp voice which seem to socked him and has not tried it since so any advise would be really gratefully as iv been reading books and reading every think i can find on line so any advise u could give me will be thankfully gratefully so what ground rules i start with  and how to start them on him    thankyou i know this is a lot to answer but i really need the advise if u can thank you again
from Claire

Answer
Hi Claire!

I get the distinct impression that you are in waaaay over your head with this young horse.  He is completely disregarding and disrespecting you and you have no real knowledge or skill to correct him.  You seem to have quite a bit of fear, as you mentioned being "scared" twice in your e-mail.

You need help.  Even with just the smallest of things, you need a trainer on-site to show you how to handle your horse.  Reading is all well and good....as is asking an expert over the Internet but, it will not help you...not the kind of help you need.  You must learn how to be confident and authoritive with your gelding.

Speak to your vet, farrier, tack shop or even your local Pony Club chapter and ask them to recommend a trainer who has experience with difficult ponies.  Have the trainer out to your place to evaluate your situation and discuss your goals.  You need to hire someone to work with your pony to get him under control and make him biddable while teaching you hands-on how to correctly work with him.

It would be very difficult to accomplish this yourself, with no help and could actually be dangerous to you.  Just because your pony has not acted out maliciously yet, does not mean he will not in the future.

Get some help from a professional trainer.  Your safety and the pony's education are the priorities here.  Spending the time and money now to correctly train him will give you 20 more years of a solid and trusting riding partnership  :-)

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange