7 yr old TB/QH misbehavior

Question
My daughter and I have a 7 yr old TB/QH that we've been working on for about a year. His ground manners are good. We have gotten him in shape and he takes a saddle well. We have gotten to the point of being able to lie across him bareback from both sides and walk in the round pen. He is very afraid of things above and behind despite desensitizing and can throw a bucking/pull back/hopping fit at any time. He is from good stock and may have been studded when he was younger and gelded late or mishandled (pushed too hard too fast) by someone else. How do we get him safe enough for a first ride. Thanks

Answer
Hi Robert!

What you have there is a horse in the prime of his strength, physical ability and bull-headedness!!  The triple threat!  Aren't you lucky?!?  LOL!

You must decide if it is fear or disrespect.  This is a key step because each one is treated completely differently.

But, he can still hurt you on purpose or by accident with either emotion.  What has happened to him in the past is over and he cannot use it as an excuse anymore, you have owned and worked him for a year....long enough.

Put his breaking to ride on hold for awhile and train him to respect you both first.  Then, breaking will be safe and surprisingly easy.

So, look to now and the future.  You have a tiger by the tail.  By the act of writing to me you have said "I'm stumped!  What do I do now?"  Trust me, your bad gelding senses your indecision too.  No, they do not "smell" fear.  I mean by the way you handle him.  He knows that there is no consistency and above all no real consequences for his acting out violently.

First, he MUST be dominated by you.  I do not mean force with a 2x4 to his head.  I mean get inside his head and be his herd leader.  You must have his mind and his behind will follow.  I am sure you do a hundred little things a day with him that says to him "Humans are submissive to you, O Great Gelding!"  and you do not even know it.  Therein lies the problem.

What to do?  Get some help.  If you have not accomplished this by yourselves in a year, you need guidance.  Ask your vet, farrier or tack shop to recommend a local trainer who has experience breaking difficult horses.  Have them out to evaluate your situation and recommend some exercises for you both to do with him.

Google Monty Roberts (the only guy I even like) about his take on talking to horses and his Join-up methods.

Force will never work with this youngster.  You must communicate with him in his herd language to get your point and training across. Always be more clever than him and win by wits.

Spending the time and money now to correctly train him will give you both 20 more years of a wonderful riding partnership!

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

Solange