This sounds very much like my first horse, an Appaloosa Mare. She was 15 at the time I got her and hadn't been handled in 2 years. To make matters worse, shortly after I brought her to the stable I was boarding her at she was shot at by kids with BB Guns (we caught them after they shot at horses during a riding lesson) while I was mucking her stall and she was in the arena. I came to find her galloping back and forth along the fence, when she saw me she pressed herself up against the gate and had sweat running off her like water. After that she was very spooky. She broke ropes, ran away, would rear and bolt while being lead and if you were in the way she would crash into you. I took her out on the trail and she did really good until we turned for home then she began to run backwards (her favorite thing to do when she didn't want to do something). Well, there was a road behind us and she kept going back, luckily my friend was there and grabbed her reins. I decided to stay on encase she pulled away. She pranced home and when we got the entry way of the stable. She reared and tried to pull out of my friends grasp, she backed into a fence and started bucking. When she finally stopped, probably just a quick little break, I got off and walked her in. Well, I could go on but this is getting to long as it is, you get the idea. One think I knew about her was she wasn't mean she was scared. Well, what I finally did with her was Parelli Natural Horsemanship. She became very quit and really became my partner. I began to lead the trail rides, riding bareback with a halter and single rein (the lead rope is just attached were it would be if you were leading). This really works. Willow has made such a turn around other people have started the program because of her. I don't mean for this to sound like an ad, I am just telling you what worked for me. Willow is 20 now and still going strong though she is beginning to get cataracts in the middle of both eyes so I'll have to see how she does as it progresses. Hope this helps.

Jenna

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