my new horse!

Question
hi my name is Stacie and i just bought this new paint horse and he just turned 4 and when i went to go look at her before i bought her she let me ride her and lope her and trot her and she did just fine then i brought her home and let her seddle in at her new home and walked her and you know showeed her that i wont hurt her and then it came time to get on and she just wont let me get on her. everytime i even act like im going to put my foot in that sturip she will move away and then it becoms a tango in the round pin! and here and there a little bucking. and then it came to my mind well what if she wsa druged when i went to go look at her? but she will let me saddle her up and she does fine lunging and then after lunging she will follow me around like a baby would do with there mama! so i just dont get it and know i feel as if i have choosen the wrong horse and i have gotten a little discouraged... so i guess my question is, is this reversable with time and patance? and how would i do that?

Answer
Stacie -

If it were me, I would call the previous owners and ask them a little more about the horse.  I wouldn't mention the "drugged" part.  They may have lunged the horse a lot prior to you coming out, or they may know something that could be helpful.  

If you rode her once, and it was uneventful, then you know she is capable to do it again.  You may need to put in a bit of work, and a local trainer may be a big benefit.  But I would start by calling the previous owners and getting a better idea if it is a lack of training, or a dislike of training that is causing it.

It would also be wise to keep physical problems in mind.  While some horses get sedated to make them calm while they are for sale - some get pain killers or anti-inflamatories to make riding not painful.  You may want to have the vet check her out the next time they are out.  She may have some pain causing the whole problem.

Best of Luck!
Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs