I dont have any answers(sorry!) but I could suggest youtube (you probably already tried that) or go on to montys website and look at his videos(you have to create a free account) or join ask Monty where he sends you an information-packed email.Good Luck!

I think I came up with an answer!I was googling halter training and stuff for you and here is the link to halter training- http://www.examiner.com/x-9033-Dallas-Horse-Training-Examiner~topic256268-halter-training?selstate=topcat#breadcrumb

It didnt look like it was for older horses or anything(sorry!) but it was the best I could do!Good luck again!!!

Thanks!

Welcome! Did it work?

:) The article added to what I'm doing, it's great to hear that I'm on the right track! I wear the halter and lead over my shoulders when I'm out with everyone so that they don't associate the halter with anything scary -- it's just a part of what I "wear" while I'm out there with them. ;) I've just started on the 3 year old. He's curious and loves feed as treat (they're all pasture only horses) so it's easy to work in the touching with the halter & lead, etc..

Thanks for the article, it was great to read!

Wow!Im so glad it helped

I am hoping that I can learn a lot from this website and Monty's online courses. I am 53, my kids are raised and moved on, and I have wanted to get another horse for years. I trained a mare way back over 30 yrs ago it was a wonderful experience for both of us, since I raised her, it was nothing for her when I started riding her.

My situation is this. A family member who has a large farm and several horses, has a mare that has never been handled. She is now 9 yrs old, and isn't even halter broke.
They decided to put her in a local auction since no one wanted to do anything with her, I talked them into letting me try. I ended up getting her for Christmas.

Now I am trying to decide the best route to take with her, as she is basically wild. She will let you touch her through a fence, but that is it. I know she has had a halter on her at one time, but I am convinced it wasn't a pleasant experience, and it eventually had to be cut off because it was in pieces. She has had shots as well, and I know they probably put her in a cattle shoot to do that. So.. what little interaction she has had has not been probably very pleasant. I have not seen or been around her but only briefly over the years, so I didn't know much about her. First time I went to see her after I was given her as a gift, I fell in love.

I messed with her just a bit last weekend for the first time. We had to trick her into a makeshift pen. It was not ideal, not round, and on a slop, but all I have to work with for now. I tried to get her to join up, but, the pen being not so good, and her anxiety of being taken from the other horses, she has been with all her life, made it hard to get her to participate as she should. I didn't push it too much, as I just wanted to see how she would be with me. I am thinking the only way I am going to get her to let me work with her, is to move her far away from the other horses. Give her time to be alone, so that she looks forward to me and my visits with her.

No one wanted me to mess with her, they kept saying she was mean and would kick and was ornery, but what I see is the influence the other horses have, and didn't see any of those qualities in her when I was working with her.

I see something very special in this mare, and think she has great potential to be a really awesome horse. Any suggestions would be welcome, as I want to do this right, I have seen the wrong end of training, those who do it by force, and it is a very disturbing thing to watch.

Wow! This has been so helpful. I had a similar problem with my horse a while back. Thanks all.

Hi, nwhittley! I would say you´ve come to the right place. Read all you can of Monty´s writings and also read Shy Boy and all the posts that you think are relevant to your situation, that´s what I do, I just got my very first own horse at the ripe age of 53, like you, a Christmas present. You, at least, have experience, I started from scrap. My filly (2 years old just) was 5/6 months old when she came to me so the bonding was practically natural. We learn together and it´s wonderful. I am sure you will find what you need in order to work together with your mare here and in Monty´s writings. And be gentle, patient, patinet, talk softly, be patient. Did I say be patinet?
Good Luck!
Christy

Hi nwhittley! I was recently given an 11 year old brood mare, never handled by humans. I have had her for about 3 months now, and when i got her, she was as you describe your gelding. Everyday I work with her, even if it is just to say hi and give her a rub. (Which i couldn't do at the beginning.) I didn't have a round pen either at first. Once i would get her in the pen, I would look down and approach her, she would immediatley run off and i would encourage her do so, making it my idea that she leave. When she stopped moving i would make a kissing noise, (my que for movement.) Slowly she would start turning toward me, and as soon as she did i would release the pressure by turning away. take a few steps then turn to approach her again. It didnt take long and i could slowly reach out and touch her shoulder, immediatly walking away once contact was made. Advance and retreat, slowly making more contact each time. Everytime she moved away from me, I would make my verbal movement que, sending her away faster.

This worked well for my mare and I, I have been riding her and she comes to greet me when I arrive. Oh, and she is in a pasture with other horses. Lots of time and patience, and i believe your gelding will be an excellent companion