17 year old rescued horse with problems

Question
Hi,  We purchased a 17 year old Appaloosa from a lady who rescued the horse. She had her for 8 months and rode her and said all was fine.  Very much under weight and with scars all over her so, she had a terrible past life. She also has 21 horses.  I got her in January and when we try to ride her it takes 3 of us and then, it is not very pleasant.  You have to hurry up and get on her then, she rearers up.  I can not clean her hooves or even bathe her.  She does like being groomed or curried... she loves the attention and follows me all over the yard.  I even taught her to give kisses.  She is very smart I just can not do anything with her.  She kicks at me when I try and clean her hooves.  I do not know what to do.  She is a very expensive yard ornament and that is not why I bought a horse.  I do not have training experience only riding experience.  I did own my own horse when I was a kid and I did not have problems like this at all.  I could bathe, ride with a saddle or without.  but, this one is terrible I have not been mean or ugly to her my daughter keeps telling me she is not a dog.  How can I get her to let me clean her hooves, bathe her and ride her?  Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.  I do feel very sorry for her as you can tell she did not have a good past life with all the scars on her body.  She does like me as she will be on the other side of the yard and she runs up to me.  When she sees my car she comes running and boy does she talk to me...

thank you very much for any help you can give me.

Jill

Answer
Hi Jill!

I believe she is good with you on the ground because you are within her safe boundaries.  Horses have boundaries where they stop feeling in control or safe in the situation.  They fear the outcome and will do everything possible to avert the situation.

It appears she had not too much bad happen to her on the ground and she understands that she can get away when she wants.  However, riding is a whole other thing.  Too confuse things even more, she may be exhibiting some Boss Mare tendencies and is telling you she will not put up with you being in charge....unless you prove you mean it.

Now, she is quite old and I am sure set in her thinking about her views of humans.  Can you change them?  I cannot say.  But, to attempt to change them would require such diligent work on your part, you must ask yourself if you are up to the task.

Start there.  Do you want to "fix" this?  Do you have the time, patience, knowledge and resources to correctly attempt this?  Think long and hard because it will not be easy.  You will not be considered a failure or mean if you just decide to let her be a "very expensive yard ornament" and give her away to be a pasture buddy for a good cause.

You are not the first or last person to buy the wrong horse.  But, she is now your responsibility and you have to find her the best home possible.  Either with you or someone else who understands she can not be ridden and needs to be a pasture pet/babysitter.  There are farms that need them.  I have one and he is invaluable to me.  Ask you vet or farrier to recommend someone.

If you do decide to keep her and try to get her back under saddle, you will need to hire a professional trainer who has dealt with this kind of problem horse and have them come out and evaluate her.  You cannot do this on your own.  I can sense you are good hearted and want the best for her but, you are floundering and getting nowhere.  You need specific help and guidance.

You did a good thing taking her home.  Now, you just have to decide what the next good thing is that you can do for her  :-)

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

Solange