What to do with this horse

Question

about 3 months ago i got my new horse, a 14yr old paint horse gelding. He was somewhat underweight and skittish, as he had been abandoned in the mountains by previous owners, and then rescued and rehabed some before being put up for sale. At the time i first saw him, he was being ridden by a 12 yr old girl in a hackmore and a western saddle. He went perfectly well for her, and I rode him as well in the same tack, and he went well for me. Thus, we purchased him. Since then, things have gone downhill. I ride english, and he had been previously ridden english to my knowledge, so i rode him originally in my regular all purpose saddle and bridle, with a slow twist d-ring snaffle. I know he does not like a lot of pressure on his mouth, so I kept light contact but nothing beyond that. Well, this made him start to completely ignore me. So I put a bit more contact on his mouth, and he became very upset and confused. This went on for about a month of me trying to work with him and getting no where. I then decided to try my stepmoms shank bit, because i know he was previously shown western pleasure, and thought he might take it better. Well, he went ok in it for about 30 mins, and then decided he didnt want to work anymore, to the point of he wouldnt even trot in a straight line. After i finally was able to correct this, we cooled out, but i didnt think the bit made much of a difference. So finally, yesterday i tried him in my hackmore and western saddle, thinking that maybe he would like that. Well, yesterday was about the worst he's been. He tried to take off when i barely nudged him forward, then when i half-halted he stopped dead. He kept raising his head and hollowing his back out. Basically, I am at the end of my rope. I dont know what else to do with him. I'm starting to think he's just not happy with me, and that that's the problem. I've never done anything to him that has caused him harm, and i've spent a lot of time with him, but every time he sees me he either walks or runs away. This is true with every other person that comes out as well. Even when it is feeding time, i have to open his stall door and then walk away from it so that he'll go into the stall. If I'm standing by the door he wont go in. Suggestions from anyone?? I dont want to sell him but I dont know what to do

Answer 1

Have you checked his teeth out? It sounds like he could be reacting to discomfort. Maybe he has some long teeth that are bothering him or possibly rotten teeth. I'm sure you would notice that though because he would have foul breath and/or an abcess. Another sign of a tooth problem would be if and when you feed him grain, most of it drops out of his mouth. In that case he might need his teeth filed. Considering he's an older horse, it would be a reasonable assumption.

Answer 2

teach him manners

Answer 3

well i wouldnt say it is a good idea to try to ride an abused horse. hes been damaged probably to the point ofno return and u are probably working on him too hard more than anything i think he should just be brushed and pet everyday and not ridden im sorry thats probably not what u want to hear but i would never buy  a horse taht had problems and try to ride him no matter how good they seem at the time of purchase. you are most likely stressing him out alot trying to ride him im sorry i worked with a horse who was abused before and riding him would never be an option it took a long time to get him decently calm so we could just brush him and walk him with out him freaking out so riding may not be an option