This is a really tough one to answer because we're not there, able to see the horse, etc.

First off, I'd highly suggest having a vet out. Rule out any physical problems that way before going to mental stuff. This is the MOST common reason for strange behavior.

Second, don't assume he's been abused - its a common assumption whenever a horse doesn't act the way we perceive as "normal" - and its actually more often than not, wrong.

Beyond that, without being there, I couldn't tell you "why" but might be able to help you with a few specific things. You should also seriously consider finding someone, preferably a good trainer, who has experience they can fall back on to help you with this horse. If you don't get help, you can very easily worsen the horses behavior, unintentionally to be sure, but it will make it harder to retrain him the worse he gets.

As to the feet, this will just take persistance. The fact that he is getting worse would indicate that in some way or another, the reaction you have to his behavior is making it worse. If he moves back and you jump, or move quickly out of the way, that in itself can indicate to the horse that there was something spooky, and he was justified in moving away. Its a very common beginner problem when it comes to those back legs because the person fears - and rightfully so - the ability of those legs to kick. You need to always work with the horse calmly, confidently and with determination, but not anger. Start out in your own comfort zone, as it's probably actually more limited than the horse's! Groom/pet/work to the edge of that zone and back up, go a bit further the next time, back up. Act like its no big thing. Work your way down that back leg to the hock, back up and pat him on the hip, and go do something different like pick up the front foot again. Next time go halfway down the cannon. If he picks his leg up at that point, praise him and hold the leg about 3-5 seconds and set it gently down. If he moves away from you, follow him calmly, saying "whoa" quietly but firmly, and when he stops moving a "good boy" with your hand on him and then back up and start again. Keep your shoulder and body close to him, don't step or jump back. The more calm and insistant you are, the less he'll have to be nervous about and the more likely he is to settle down. The closer you are to him, the less likely you are to get hurt should he kick - which really most horses aren't likely to do unless they are truly in pain or scared, or have learned that they can get away with it.

If at any point, you are uncomfortable doing this, you need to step back and let someone who is comfortable handling him do it. It's a lot harder to work with two nervous minds than one

As to his behavior under saddle, it sounds like he's a bit too much for you to handle right now. Hard to say without being there if its a training issue or truly behavior. Is he green broke? Is he on too much feed for what you're asking him to do? Or is he just too much horse for a beginner? I'm very much against using "short cuts" like martingales and tie downs, especially with beginner riders. I greatly prefer taking the horse back to the basics and figuring out where his training was lacking or skipped, or just screwed up, and fixing it there. But again, this needs to be done by a trainer who knows what to look for, what to ask for and how to gauge a horse's mind set.

Another thing that would be really helpful for both you and your horse is at the very least, grab some videos put out by some of the better trainers out there. Clinton Anderson is a good one, as well as Pat Parelli. There are others too and they all have their variations on how to train, but most of their work is sound and will at least help, though each horse is different and some methods won't work on some horses. Ideally, find a trainer doing a clinic in your area and attend with your horse... there's absolutely nothing like hands on and having someone right there who knows what they are looking at!

Good luck, and let us know how things go!
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