RE-training the Nervous Horse

Question
I have recently bought two paint horses off of a good friend. I do have connections with the former former owner of the two horses. They are brother/sister, only a year apart. The mare, Nakita, is 11 years old, the gelding, Comanche Renegade, is 10 years old. Now my friend owns around 20 or so horses and is reaching an older age where he can't do much with them, so the horses I bought off of him have been sitting in the field for around 2 years with very little handling. The former former owner of the horses said the mare would bow, they loved to swim in the lake and whatnot. So relying on him, they were show horses. Comanche Renegade can spin, shoulder-in, however this is all on the ground. Nakita is extremely easy to ride and I have not encountered any problems at all with her, however Comanche is a totally different problem. As soon as you put the saddle on his back, he is literally shaking. We tried lounging him for half an hour and ride him but as soon as I got on his back his hind legs buckled under him and stayed in what I like to say the 'fetal position' for the horse. It took every effort I had to get him to move a couple steps. He then just went on a bucking rampage and off I went. His behavior on the ground is a little bit skittish but other than that he is a major sweetheart and is at the gate ready to meet you. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, or what is going on through his head. The former former owner said he was the better horse of the two, I need some help as soon as possible, for I would really like to get back into the trails! Thanks you so much.

Answer
Hi Lexie!

The very first thing you have to determine in a case like this is...is this real fear or disrespect of his training and you, the rider.  From just what you wrote, it sounds like fear.  He may have real gaps in his education or is just such a nervous, high-strung personality that he needs you to go extra S-L-O-W with him.

I suggest you talk to your vet, farrier or tack shop and ask them to recommend a local trainer who has experience in Paints or even Saddlehorses, as they are high-strung too.  Have the trainer out to evaluate your situation and discuss your goals.

I simply cannot diagnose this over the Interent, you need hands-on help.  In the meantime, I suggust no more riding him, as it will get you nowhere.  Work on solid ground training and establishing a relationship with him.  He really does not know you from Eve.  I tell all new horse owners it can take from 12 -18 months to establish a real trusting relationship with a new horse.  Now, I am not saying it will take that long for you to be able to ride him, just that you need to give him time to adjust to his new life  :-)

Be firm, be kind and be consistent in everything you do with him.  Work on basic exercises that will not only benefit him in you're getting to ride him but, cause you two to spend time together getting to know each other.  And get a trainer to help you both.

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

Solange