3 yr. old having issues with breaking him

Question
hi, my name is Ashley Martin. Well i need some help with my 3 yr. old gelding.This is my first time actualy breaking in a horse and its not going to well. I trained my palimeno, but he wasnt as green as my younger horse. My boyfriend and I started working with him about a week ago.At first he was ok with the saddle and the bit, but after i lunged him and put pressure in the saddle he wont let me go any where near him. He just side steps and rears at the slitghtest pressure of my foot or hand in the stirrup.So i put him up and let him calm down. Hes a really sweet horse but now he is verry skittish around humans and objects.And now that it is getting cold, i need to put a blanket on him but he flips out.. i dont know what to do short of spending alot of money to train him.But i dont know if i should still work with him, i dont want him to be afraid of humans and never let anyone touch him. Well if you could let me know if you have any advise that would be great.
Thanks,
Ashley Martin  

Answer
Hi Ashley!

Don't worry about this...it is really a minor setback in his training.  He will be fine with a new start.

The million dollar question is will you be fine?!?  LOL!
You sound just the slightest bit freaked out and I cannot tell if it because you fear you've ruined him or you feel you cannot do this yourself.

I can give you a thumbnail sketch of what he needs to get back on the right track.  You will have to decide if you should attempt it yourself or go to a professional trainer for help.  You said you've never broken a horse but, trained your QH...who wasn't as green.

It is important for you to give your young gelding the best possible start in his life as a riding partner to humans.  Breaking a horse is a tricky thing and each one is different and comes out different too.  There is nothing wrong with admitting you are in over your head and selling him to a more knowledgable person.  He has not done anything dangerous yet (that you've told me) but, that could change in seconds and you will be on the bad end of things and end up in the ER.

I would say you need help.  As much for his sake(if not more)than for yours.  He has no say in the matter.  I always have to say that slaughterhouses are full of ill-trained horses, either through ignorance or downright cruelty.  They are at our mercy, all of them.

So, quickly...what he needs.  Start at the basics and forget rushing anything!  Start with solid ground manners.  Go through the checklist, no matter how basic.  He allows you take off and replace his halter.  You can walk up to him in his stall/turn-out and calmly catch and walk him on a lead rope.  He stands still for touching/grooming all over and you can pick up all four hooves for cleaning.  He ties well and stands patiently.

Then, re-introduce the blanket....SLOWLY!  Have some special treats on hand that he only gets when he sees the blanket and is calm.  Let him sniff it and make sure it smells like him.  Don't try to stick a dirty one from another horse on him.

Forget riding him and concentrate on watching him and seeing what he will bear in the way of training.  He needs TONS of longeing work.  He should be doing all 3 gaits on the longe with the ability to collect and extend ...with a special emphasis on "WHOA"!!  You think and he does it!

Then, he longes with a saddle on.  Then, in a surcingle with the bit in and so on and so forth.  He may not be broken till summer.  But, hey!  Who cares?  He will ride for the next 25 years!!  Do it correctly now and no one gets hurt and there is one more well-trained human...uh, I mean horse in the world!  :-)

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

Solange

P.S.  If you cannot figure out how to do these most basic of things that I have suggested AND carry them out sucessfully ~ take it as a hint....you need a professional trainer or to sell him.  It's all about his best interests and everyone's safety!