AboutRick Gore (www.freewebs.com/horseawareness) Expertise Visit Rick Gore's Horse Site: www.freewebs.com/horseawareness --I am a student of the horse. I can answer questions about sacking out (Desensitizing vs. Sensitizing), dealing with spooky, abused or ex-race horses, rearing, bucking, horses that won’t tie or load into a trailer, working in a round pen/round corral, starting colts, dealing with aggressive or so called "mean" horses, herd behavior, biting, kicking, horses that won’t let you mess with their feet or head, horses that are hard to take a bit and hard to catch. I can also answer questions about using a bosal or hackamore, do's and don'ts, soft hands and direct reining verses neck reining. If you expect me to tell you feel good advice, you will be disappointed. 95% of all my answers will include the problem is you and not your horse. About 90% of most answers that I give out are on my web site, so if you read it you will probably answer your own question and may learn a few other things. If have some good information that you would like me to add to my site, please email me so it can be passed on to others.
Experience I am an experienced horseman with many years of riding and handling horses. I grew up in Texas around horses and horse people. I have started colts, ridden many horses with behavior issues and worked with problem horses. (I believe that most horse problems are normally people problems) I believe in and practices natural horsemanship. I continue to read and study books by great horsemen. I routinely attends clinics, talks with and discuss horse issues with other clinicians and trainers. I have never met a horse that could not be fixed. I have fixed horses that would not; trailer load, take a bit, go through water, lead without pulling, allow you to halter or catch. I believe it is never the horse's fault and with proper handling, all problems can be worked out.
Education/Credentials Rick has life long experience in being around and working with horses. Over the years he has watched good horsemen do the right thing and seen the wrong things done with bad results. Rick has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Question I have tired everything on my 7 yo spotted saddle paint to try to get her desensitized to plastic bags and she acts like I am trying to kill her. I tired putting a small bag on the flag and walking in front of her with my husband leading her behind me, I've tired putting it in my hand and rubbing it on her back (just to name a few). The only bag that she will even put up with, is the feed bag. She will not get that close to it, but she not run from it either or make sounds. Also, she refuses to lead on any trails. When we first started taken them places to ride, she would lead for awhile then stop and wait for me to go around with our other horse and then she would follow, and now this year, she will not lead at all, unless we are on foot and leading them, then she wants in the front. My husband rides her (I haven't been on her in almost 2 years due to an accident that her and I had)and he tires to get her to lead with a crop and spurs but she will not go unless another horse or person is in front of her. Any help would be great.
Answer You did not provide the requested info on the question page. This is not a horse problem this is a you and your husband problem. A horse will only respond to the people handling them. If you understood a horse, you would know that all of this is related to respect and trust issues. There may be some fear, but if the horse respects and trust you, the fear can be overcome.
Read my site and it will give you a better understanding of the horse. Once you start thinking like a horse and acting like a herd leader, most of your problems will go away. I know it sounds simple, but it is. I can assure you that if I worked your horse for 5 or 10 minutes and then rode it, I would not have any of the problems you are having. Why, because I would show the horse that I am a strong leader and he has to listen to me and then he would feel safe and not resist me.
Most all horse problems are people problems.
Read my site and work on yourself, then your horse will get better.
