Well, I decided to ride my new sale purchase. I lead her around the property for a while first.  I figured that if I couldn't even lead her without a meltdown, I sure as heck wasn't going to ride her. She did alright, but  I was so scared that I decided to ride in a little pen and wear my helmet.   So....I tied her. She stood.  I saddled & bridled. She stood.  I put my foot in the stirrup and hopped on.......she stood.  She waited until I told her to move off, and we began careening around the pen at a fast gait.  Not pretty. After about 1 minute (seemed like longer) she seemed to realize that the bit wasn't painful, I wasn't harsh, and things were okay. We did some figure 8's and whoas (got one hellova whoa!) and I decided to take her out.  She went everywhere I pointed her, past tractors by other horses, through a ditch, around overexcited border collies, and she did great.  NO BOUNCE!!!! She either walks or gaits.  I chose a myler bit to try, it has a low port with a barrel in the middle and independent side movement & swivel cheeks 4" shank.  She did okay.  I just made contact with her mouth and smooched and off we'd go!  Perfect!  Sadly, she overreaches.  Her feet need done and she's NOT good with handling her feet.  She has lots of old overreach injury scars. I'm going to get a pair of bell boots until I can get the farrier out.  She gaits like a dream barefoot and with totally out of balance ugly feet.   I think I've got me a winner!  From a sale! I felt very comfortable on her.  Now if i can just get her to like being caught and let me pick up her feet....

Amanda

Sounds like you found a keeper....do me one favor though...ALWAYS wear your helmet

A little time and trust will take care of the rest, I'm sure.

Good luck!

I made progress with her feet today.  I got them all picked out.  She really doesn't want to pick them up.  She keeps her leg straight and locked, then when you finally get it hoisted up she'll stomp it down and run sideways.  I just walk back up to her and try again and act like it didn't happen.  Scolding her for a fear response isn't going to help any.   I think with her, I 'll get more flies with honey than vinegar.  She's only bad because of fear, fear which people put in her. Such a shame.

 For health reasons, I really need to have her feet done so she'll quit overreaching and be even on all 4.  I think I might have to have the vet ace her this first time around.  I think the re-training process is going to take longer than her feet can stand to be left un-done.  I hate to resort to that, but the farrier doesn't need hurt and the horse doesn't need any more mental trauma.

Amanda

I agree that a little "liquid trainer" might be in order for the first trimming.  Once you have the feet on the right track then you can fix the problem.  I personally feel that this issue would best be dealt with by round pen training, give the hoof or 'work.'  This would let her work on her fear issue while building trust in the handler, so this will transfer to riding as well.

Good luck!

If she is Hoosier or has Rockin' in her name, It is very possible that she has Rockin' Dobbin in her lineage and I know there's a Rocky stallion with Hoosier in his name also..Both good horses.. many spotted saddle horses are Rockies, mountain pleasure, or Kentucky mountain horses who were born with a little too much white.. just like the cropout paints in the QH world.

google either or both names + rocky mountain horses and see what you get..