Pressure Issues

Question
Thanks for answering my last question, seeing as your answer was do detailed and wasn't what I was expecting (the typical by my this and this) I have two other horses that have pressure issues.

The first is a 15.3 hand 9 year old Morgan/Qh cross. He's AFRAID of pressure, a regular halter thats too tight that will make him become afraid. He had a terrible accident and I'm not sure what it is but the 6 inch scar on his leg and the other scars tell the story.  The last person I got him from was afraid of him and I love the boy to death and I don't usually favor geldings. Anyways I was worming him and something scared him and he backed up but feeling the pressure of me at the end of the rope made him freak out. He's absolutely terrified of any kind of excessive pressure.  Im afraid to put a training fork on him for I believe that would scare the poop out of him. I'm trying to get him to drop his head set for Western pleasure, he's a natural and he loves shows. As far as I know his last two owners were down right beginners. He moves out great to gentle pressure on the ground and he loves to please in the saddle but I don't want to scare him. I just gained his trust, I don't want to loose it. I regularly use rope halters and long leads so I'm very familiar with them.

The second is a very mixed up poor 14 year old QH mare. her story is that she was originally ranch broke. She is a dream on lead and just a sweet old girl. I tried taking her back to a snaffle because I was told that she bucked at the canter if you cantered right away (much like I've seen some green horses buck) apparently she tosses people off left and right doing this. well I put her in a hack and she was much more at ease and even neck reined better. well I walked her and trotted her for most the ride then I sent her off at a lope, she did great. so then I brought her back to a walk she was awesome. well we got to a curvy but clean area of trail. well I asked for another lope and she mis stepped trowing me off balance a little and she went into a rodeo buck, head up, eyes white, well I was able to stop her just before she got me off. But I could feel her fear. Me getting off balance, scared her. I'm going to  teach her the one rein stop and such so I don't get thrown anymore but how could I help her not fear but stop when a rider is off balance.

As I said I'm always trying to broaden my horizons. I've accumulated these horses with 'issues' that i work around but I'd like to make their lives better and cure them! I do know a little Natural horsemanship. I know how to round pen, How to move the separate parts of the horse from the ground and some other stuff, I mostly watch the TV shows with Chris Cox and Clinton Anderson. I also Take every opportunity to learn from other trainers of my area. thanks for ALL your help.

Nikki

Answer
Hello Nikki,
Just remember with "pressure issues" that you put on some kind of pressure and when the horse looks like they are even thinking of doing what you want them to take the pressure off and wait, let them think. If a horse is afraid of any kind of pressure on the ground I would not ride him until I had him understanding to give to the pressure. It can be tricky if you have not done it before but you need to keep some kind of pressure on when the horse is trying the wrong answers such as rearing, running back, charging etc. Please be careful. With the second horse I would practice loosing your balance more often so she is used to it. Push her to the point of discomfort you are comfortable riding and then stop and let her relax for a while. Are you sure you did not miss something on the ground? How well does she trot and canter on the line? How is she with plastic bags being shaken over the saddle area while she walks and trots? Does she freeze or run? I would go back to the foundation and try to find the spot that has been missed in her understanding.
Good luck to you with all your horses.
Best Wishes