Sassy horse

Question
hi, i have a 15 yr. old quarter horse mare... she is out in pasture and can go in barn when ever she wants.  she is trying to bite me when i do her cinch.  and she won't let me get on anymore.  she also is breathing funny. she does everything i want if I could get on her. she tries to kick when you put your foot in the stirrup.  I love Molly so much please help me so I can help her.  Thank you very much , Amanda  

Answer
Hello,
Molly, if you have made sure it is not a physical problem of pain, is telling you she needs a little brush up with the first steps. No biggie. Start with a saddle pad and holding the lead so that if she moves she can go in a circle around you, start to bump her lightly with the pad. When she seems okay with it rub her with it. Then repeat until you can bump her with a fair amount of pressure. Take your time with this until it is as if she is bored with it. Then when you go to saddle her let her smell the saddle first, and as you put it on watch her expression- is she already upset? Take it off and put it on until, agian, she almost looks bored with it. Then take your time putting on the cinch, nice and slow. If she makes a face bump her with the lead line- pay more attention to her faces then to actually getting the saddle on. Take your time and you'll get it done. Same thing with the stirrup, hold the lead so she can go around you and start to wiggle the stirrup with your hand. When she slows down her walking just pet her then start again until you see the boredom of confidence come across her face. Try these things out and let me know if you hit a road block.
Best Wishes