Horse Training Success

I got a 9 year old quarter horse,in fact he was the same way,and I led him out about a mile down to some land that I have permission to ride and he was really fussy for the first hour and I rode him home and soon as he seen home his fuss went away,I have been taking him out little by little and he is getting better.

I have a 9-year-old Canadian are who is definitely chronic separation anxiety disorder. I can't even take the other horses out without her. She'll break the fence to be with them. She throws herself against the stall door and I'm afraid she will hurt herself. She is a nice little mare in most other aspects, except she rears if I try to ride her alone. As far as I can tell her history has been one of serious neglect and she has been an one horse family pet, who has been beat when she disobeyed. She is a frequent disobeyer. She is now in her second year of recuperation from severe leg trauma on all four legs, with a Standardbred filly, an Hanoverian gelding for company and me. She hasn't had a raised voice or a raised hand against her in that time.
I haven't yet been disturbed by her neediness, but it is coming.

Actually, I would be surprised if you didn't have a problem riding a new horse out alone for the first few times. Still; you need to be consistent and not let him turn around just because he is skittish, it will teach hem how to do this for ever. I would ride out on my other horse and lead the new horse to where you are going to ride him the first few times, then take him there on his own, it won't be as scary to go there alone once he's been there with the group.

I have a 4/5 year old haflinger, he will go out with another horse and be a dream ride, he will even go out if i take my dog as company but when i try to go out totally alone with him he is a different horse, he won't go forward, shys at every rock along the way and has been known to bolt. I don't take him out alone anymore because he has bashed my confidence from bolting off with me. I can lead him for miles on his own and he isn't bothered by anything, I think he may well be just a plain simply naughty boy who wants his own way!

I wonder if it isn't that we, subconciously are nervous of the reactions that may come, and we are not the boss when we are up there riding alone. Wheare riding don't recognise us as the boss of the herd, and therefore lose their security in our ability to protect them. Hence there is a cayote behind every bush and that big rock must be a bear.
On our side, it is natural to have some fear, especially if we are riding 10-15 miles and out of communication range. Falls, animals running (spooked deer or cattle) can happen.
Or am I projecting what I have finally come to realise are my own fears. Now have to work on MA. Not sure how to do that.

I am really grateful for this information. As I have just had a similiar experience with my young gelding that I have broken myself. In that after his paddock buddy (who was his psuedo Mum) was sold on and consequently left him recently. After this happened my horse (3 rising 4 years) became incredibly insecure and actually became quite nasty towards me.
I have since sought advice and understand now that he needed me to take control and apparently his nastiness was his way of pushing me away until he was satified that I could stand up and be who was she was for him. Since being extra firm with him, all has improved and he has accepted me back into the herd, so to speak.

She probably is a great horse but she has not known you long enough to feel secure that you are that invicible team...she has to Learn that all will be safe when she is with you...another horse may be a bandaid but is probably not the bottom line. She will learn in time
every time you slay the evil spirits together and return triumphant that you keep her safe

Try riding your other horse and having her just follow on a lead rope to see how she feels... The try riding her and having your other horse on a lead rope following... Then you will know if her problem is only ''being scared to go out alone'' It will help you find out what you have to work on... Good luck and please be patient with her, remember she does not mean it and does not understand english... lol

Horses are herd animals.
They find comfort there.
You must become "one" of the herd, meaning the head mare (regardless of your own gender)be a good leader. Allow your horse to find comfort, strength (of character) guidance & security with YOU.
Horses perceive the environment they are in differently than we do.
I would encourage you to establish good leadership skills with your horse first at home & in the round pen before heading out away from home.
Safe journey

I agree that you have to take control when going out riding on your own. If you 'think' scared, your horse will feel scared. It's kinda a round wheel. Your horse is scared, so you get scared that your horse will get scared, and so your horse get scared because you are scared that he will get scared. See where i'm going whith this. They can tune into our feelings, heartbeat fears. So be strong, and take the attetude that it's ok, don't make a big fuss. This really works with my horse.

Just spend the time with her first even if you are not going riding... go into the paddock pat her all over and talk to her and get her to follow you. This will make her confident in you.. Check your gear... Is your girth to tight... If she turns and looks at you and backs up as you try to mount check your girth simple yeah but took me 6 months to work out why my quarter horse did that...and it wasnt even tight but i still loosened it 2 notches..Hes a lamb now... When you are taking her out walk walk walk....and talk talk talk....Gets you unstressed and this will calm you and her and pat her all the time. Hope this helps....

I too have a haflinger gelding 4 yrs old and have had to build his confidence out on his own. Over time I have built up a bond with him, it is true that you are a herd of two. Stay calm and firm and they will listen eventually. It does test your nerve but it does work!! I recently had to take him away from his friends and he has taken on a arrogant streak but again stay firm and keep a routine and don't give in even when you are nervous - stay calm if you can and do it again and again. Hope this helps and I am still working on my progress it doesn't stop!!!!

Everyone above has taken the time to leave really thoughtful and helpful comments. Thanks!