spoiled 7yr old

Question
QUESTION: i have a 7 yr old fillie that has never had any type of handling until a few week ago. i took her to a trainer that i trust completly with 25 yrs of experience. the horse was there a week and new there could be an issue with the horse. i have had the horse since it was born and also her mother. me and a friend got her to lead and load but when the trainer got her in the round pen and started working her she would just run and run and he said she would probably run until she died so he would stop her and try touching her and working new things and would try longeing her again and when he stopped her she ran him out of the pen twice. this trainer has worked with many horses over the years and spealized in wild mustang when he was with the adopt a mustang program and has trained several hundred mustangs. he said it would probably be best to sell the horse and get another one rather than putting a lot of money into her could u suggest some  training techques or something i could do over a period of time to get her to the point where she is able to train. also i never really handled her through her life other than feed ing her. and she was never aggresive and is still not other than working in the round pen. i do not want sell her . she 1200 lbs paint qh cross built like a tank.
ANSWER: Hi Luke!

Well..... without further information it seems to me that the trainer was probably correct.  She is at the height of her dominance and strength, young and solid with a real sense of self preservation.  You may have more of a pasture-mate for another horse than a horse who would make a reliable riding partner.  

I have to ask why you want to train this one in particular and why now after all these years?  It is possible and I have broken horses older than this and the general rule is either they break easy or not at all.  Nothing in between.

What is your riding experience and do you feel you could handle her and her unique problems if and I say "if" she is broken to ride safely?

Is she ever stalled inside and what is her daily routine with you and the other horses at your farm?

The more you tell me the better I can access the situation and if I can recommend anything for you to do safely.  But, whatever I do recommend, it will be with the mare's best interest in mind. You, as the human in the situation, may do as you please.  She is at your mercy and depends on you to make the correct choices for her.  

Solange



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: to answer your questions it is more about being curious more than wanting to ride her but if she was able to be broken to where i could ride her safly would ride her. but with her size i would want to put anyone at risk to be able to ride her. she is a great pasture mate to her mother and i also got a 2 yr paint gelding about a month ago and everyone is doing great. i guess my biggest question i really wanted answered that i didnt ask is there any good techques that i can use to get to where i can get a ferrier to trim the hooves? your other question about why after these years.... i grew up around horses and lived on farms and ranches and can ride fairly well but going up i was more interested in sports and other things and didnt listen or watch any training going on plus the training i grew up with was the old cowboy way and everything was hard broke and worked hard . anyway with this horse as a foal i started to work with her and decided that i knew enough to get into trouble and teach the horse the wrong things and i didnt want that. the next issue was that i couldnt afford a trainer and didnt know of any where i lived. so i said it would be best not to do anything than to do the wrong thing and here we are able to afford and good trainer and a horse thats could possibly be trouble if she was trained. i have for quite a while been getting instrution from the trainer for my other horse so i can properly work and do the right things with my other two horses.   thank you , you are very kind.....luke

Answer
Hi Luke!

Thank you for the additional information.  It seems to me that right now, the most important thing, is to work with your mare on some basics.  See how things go from there and then decide if she is a good candidate for breaking to saddle.  You have the right ideas about her care and have done some positive things with her....so just keep going.

Start with changing her idea about the relationship between you and her.  She has always seen you as just the guy around who feeds and such and is no threat to her.  You want to keep that easiness between you and build on it.  It is very important that she stand well for the farrier and vet.  So, start with her standing for you.  Don't tie her to anything ever in the beginning.  Take her to a large, safe, enclosed area and just drape the lead line over her neck. Be calm and matter-of-fact about all your movements. Have a few treats in your pocket and just start with her standing quietly next to you and give her a treat.  Slowly add things and ask her to stay in the same spot while you do.  If she moves, put her back to the spot, say "ho" and begin again.  Just touch her all over and pick up all her hooves.  Now, this may work right away or it may take weeks but, she will get the idea that she must stand still for you, no matter what you do. And that by trusting you, she can just stand there....nothing bad will happen.

Next is adding a helper who touches her all over and lifts all her hooves while you hold the lead with the same calm, cool air.  Treats are allowed when she is good.  This same slow introduction to anything new will work on lots of things you want her to do.  And as you add to her vocabulary, she will understand things more quickly as she puts 2 + 2 = 4 in her head.  She looks to you to say to her "You are safe with me."  Now.  I know this is not the old cowboy way of doing things!  LOL!!  But, you already have a foundation of understanding between you two, so taking the time to build on it will make your relationship even stronger.

By introducing these things that are necessary for her to learn and her accepting them...this will lead you to possibly being able to break her.  You know her and she will tell you what she is capable of doing.

I think that she was totally freaked out by the suddenness of being ripped out of her safe place (home) and thrown into training.  I am not saying that the trainer or you did anything wrong.  Just that she may not respond to that kind of training and she may need a slower version of it. I would not say she is "spoiled" as you put in your heading.  But, she may be very clever and needs more of an explanation than an ultimatum. Now, the 2 yr. old paint you have may do far better with that trainer and respond to it, especially at his young and impressionable age.

I feel that you have a good chance with her if you watch and listen to her and show her you have to be in charge but, it will still be OK for her...still a good life.  She has had her own way for a good, long while.  She may be hard put to give it all up and listen to a new set of rules.  But, if you have the time and inclination...you should give it a try!   I can tell you have the best intentions for your horses.  Thank you for saying I am kind.  I am happy to return the compliment :-)

I would be interested to hear how this goes for you and her.  Please feel free to write and keep me updated.

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

Solange