14yr. unbroken broodmare

Question
Hi!
 I brought Bella (AP/QH) home a couple of weeks ago. I was told that she was never broken. My farrier has been here and is working on building up her heels and says her somewhat pancaked hooves will be corrected in just a few visits.
 She is very loving and affectionate and wants to please. All that I've seen she knows so far is that, when in a round pen, if she hears kissing noises and the lunge whip crack, she needs to trot or lope. She knows whoa only when I am holding her lead line, in the round pen I can say whoa all day long and she'll keep going. Needless to say, I have a long way to go on teaching her groundwork. Book suggestions for this subject? I'd appreciate it- I've never done this before.
 One time when I went to visit her at the ranch she came from, we put a saddle on her to see how she'd do and she was very indifferent to it. The previous owner then put her 9 year old daughter on her and she was still indifferent. Once home with me, my 150# son climbed on her and she stood there, her front legs trembling a bit. I climbed on her bareback today to see how she'd handle my fat 200# backside and her fronts began to tremble again. She tried to move (I assume her movement was an attempt to get out from underneath my weight)but couldn't move very well at all so she started to buck. I am wondering if her trembling is because she's needing those muscles built up before handling weight or if there might be something else going on? It should be noted that she got out to work maybe once a week where she was but she's been worked everyday since I've had her home. Thank you so much in advance for your help!!

Answer
Hi Donna!

I will answer your specific questions after I make this recommendation first.  

DO NOT get on her back anymore!  She is completely unprepared for any kind of backing and you are at serious risk of being injured.  If you are truly interested in breaking her to saddle it must be done in order and correctly.  She is taught absolutely nothing by a human just getting on her back.  Think about this....What were you going to do once you were on her back?  Did you have a plan and a goal?  How did you think you could possibly communicate anything to her when she knows nothing??  

Now, why is she trembling?  Fear and the unknown.  Yes, she is most likely completely out of shape and has no muscle or strength but, that would be a small part of it.

What to do?  If you are intent on breaking her to saddle and it can be done, even at her age....you need help.

Speak to your vet, farrier or tack shop and have them recommend a local QH trainer who has experience in breaking horses.  Have the trainer out to your place to evaluate your situation and discuss your goals.  If you like him/her, hire them to begin training your horse correctly and also teach you how to work with her.  Ground work, longeing, long-lining, sacking out....all building your way to breaking her.

She sounds like she has a willing personality and is a good candidate to be broke.  But, it must be done in the proper order.  You must build the foundation of knowledge, communication and trust with her so that when you finally do get on her back, you both know what you are doing.

Spending the time and money now to correctly train her will make you SAFE and happy, trusting riding partners  :-)

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

Solange