Older horse having "issues", need help

[thelodens]

Hi everyone,
I bought a 14 yr old reg. paso fino gelding. He must have been really trained well at one time because he remembers the clicking cues when riding (one click for first gait, sorry I can't remember what the gaits are called anymore, lol, two clicks for the second, three for the third.). Anyway, he's smooth riding and wonderful when you're out on him. However, he does not like to be caught. I have to pen him up in a small area and then basically chase him down, lol, but when you have his halter, you've got him (no fuss after that). His other "quirk" is that when you try to take the bridle off (fine for putting it on), he freaks out! it's not the bit coming out of his mouth that worries him, it's the part of it coming off from behind his ears. Any suggestions on how to fix these issues? Other than that, he's the perfect horse. I've thought about buying one of those halter/bridles (the one that has the detachable bit/reins and turns into a halter when you take that part off). But I don't know what to do about the other problem (I'm usually wore out by the time I catch him).
Thanks,
Terra

[Notimetoride]

How long have you had him ? I know when I got my horse I was told that she was easy to catch but when we got her home you had to run her until she was to tired to go . I was so upset I just about sold her , but after she got use to us she was really easy to catch and still is . I think it takes a month or two to get them use to their new homes. I would say just give him time . As far as his ears I got a colt that was about 6 months old and had never been touch and hated to have a halter put on or you to touch his head. I asked a friend that deals with horses and she showed me how to get him use to it. She held his halter and flicked her fingers at his eyes until he stopped moving his head and then would rub over his head and tell him good boy. Then she would repeat on other side . I did it for a couple times a day for a week or so and now you can do anything with him . Sorry so long. Don't know if it will help .

[aMarinesgirl69]

Dont chase or follow the horse around that sucks and the horse is being disrespectful. Use the small pen to your advantage and just stand in the middle of it so you don't work yourself to death. Use it like a round pen because it sounds like your horse has respect issues when he's loose. Make him stay at a trot at least going around you and after he gets hot and tired he'll be looking for a way to get you to let him quit. This is when you step towards his front end blocking his path. If he has really bad respect issues he'll just blow right past you without a second thought. If he does that I would suggest getting a rope and swinging it at him and if seems like he's just going to run you over smack him. Pretty soon if you step towards his shoulder he'll know he'd better at least change directions. If he does do what he's suppose to and stops or changes directions that's a start. If he stops just take a few steps back and let him relax. After a few seconds take a step towards him. If he moves step towards his shoulder to block his path or towards his hip if he's backing up. If he just completely doesnt want to quit moving his feet and leaves you that's fine that just means he gets to run around some more. If you are consistent with this he'll learn that if he stops he can rest and if he leaves you its more work. Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing very hard work. When you get to where you can take steps towards him and he doesnt move just say good boy and retreat away from him for a while. Then go back and see if you can get close again. The point of this exercise is to get him to stop and face up when you say whoa from the middle of a pen. It works I just don't know how much you know about roundpenning and 'horse whispering'. I'm not real good at explaining this but it has always worked for me. Try that and see if you can get him to let you walk up to him that way.

[My Ladyhawke]

You just need to round pen and teach him manners. The only time he can rest is with you. That should take care of the problem. Good luck.