Q.
Hi Chelsie I am a 56 yr.old vet on disability. I have worked colts for 30 years up to 4 years ago… [My horse] was stolen a year and a half ago. When I got him back he was a real handful. He tried to buck me off 3 times and I rode him out he did fine for a bit then started running off with me. We came across a 1/2 mile of desert with his head in my lap. I went to the round pen with him and he did ok but as soon as you took him to a larger pen he tried to run through the end of the pen. I sent him to a trainer in Benson and he did not teach him anything. He fell down an embankment with him and just used a martingale on him. He has good ground manners he will come to me out of a pasture I can handle his feet, wipe his eyes, saddle him, and ground tie him. I have been working him… I have not perfected the side pass but like yesterday he went stupid when I was spraying fly spray on him which I do twice a day…also if he sees something strange he will stand and snort and get wild eyed. I will do what I have to to bring him out of this but I am on a set pension … and have to cut corners on other things for him. I just want to be able to take my horse and ride him.. I have a bad back and a fused left wrist so if I COME OFF i COULD BE IN TROUBLE. I can not afford 600 everytime I turn around to send him to a trainer, I have ridden lots of colts and can not figure him out. I do not want sell him to the killers or trade him to someone who will. He is 15 1/2 hands about 11oo lbs red dunn two eyed Jack colt…Please send me in some direction to save me and this horse..
Thanks
Ron M. in Douglas, AZ
A.
Hi Ron,
That is a very sad thing what happened to your horse. It must have really upset your him. He sounds like he is still not letting down and relaxing. What you need to do is not remember your horse the way he was and just start all over from scratch. Just act like this horse has never been started under saddle before and restart him under saddle.
I would not take this horse out of a round pen while riding until you can do all the ground school in an open area and he is fine, and not until you can do all the mounted and mounted refined in the round pen and he is fine and relaxed and letting go.
Do lots of lateral flexion! That will help him relax and it also gives you breaks out on the trail, when you are ready to go out on the trails.
I am also having a clinic in Phoenix AZ October 4th 5th and 6th. I know it is hard with money and all but I would really like to see you and him there and be able to really help you guys get to the root of the problem.
The main thing that I can say though is that you need to do lots of confidence building and restart him like he was never started. You can also give me a call any time at: 928-713-3468. I would love to know a little more and know how things are going now.
Thank you,
Chelsie Kallestad
