Need some help.

[Cowgirl14]

okay, so my horse is very, very shy. When she was about two or three she was sold to a man that beat her in the face with a pipe when she wouldn't load. So i rescued her and i've had her for almost a year now and I am the only one so far that can get near her without being snapped or kick at. Can anybody tell me how I can help her get over her fear of people?

I've attached some pictures of her.

[BUDDYSGIRL]

Lots and lots and lots of time and patience. This is so sad that people can do this sort of thing to any one, man or beast! It may take forever and she may never get over it.
I have a horse boarded here who had been chased around with a bag on the end of a stick, to this day he is terrified, I mean terrified, of any bag. His owner has worked with him for 2 years and he just can't get over it.
Just keep building her trust in you and if possible have a new person come around every day with you. When she sees you trust that person she just may ease up a bit.
Good luck with her and bless your heart for rescuing her. You may end up being her only friend.

By the way she is beautiful!!

[mart]

People like that need the same thing done to them !! You horse may get over it but chances are that you may be the only one she really trusts !! Having other people around might help but tell them never to stand in front of her or reach to pet her from the front !! Always have them stand at her shoulder for safety !! And she needs to be on a lead so you can control her should she try to nip or kick !! Although you really can`t blame her for getting back at people,, Biting or kicking is still not something that should be ignored and you need to correct her for it by just pulling her head around and moving her back end !! She will get the idea eventually !! And like was said,, time and patience is the main thing !!

[purplewaterhorse]

I have rescued many myself and know that they each come with their own history and its not always pretty. I have learned that time and patience is the only cure. I usueally spend many many evenings in the barn during the time they are content with their munching and do a lot of grooming then and hands on touching. I put my hands on them alot , slow , smooth motions on their tender areas and ones they cant reach -- like under the neck and between the front legs. I do alot of my therapy sessions in the evening after they have been out all day and feeling ready for rest and dinner. I spend literaly hours grooming to regain some trust . I find it good therapy for me too. I had one I got from a slauter truck and Lord only knows what he had been through... it took me way over a year to gain his trust where he would not pin his ears back and get ready to bite. I also worked with him in the round pen alot and practiced the " Join up" theroy. It worked . Read up on it and try it .. it has worked for me seveal times with a distrusting horse. If you have seen the movie -- The Horse Whisperer" you can see how he did it.
good luck and thank you for rescueing such a beautiful horse!

[Cowgirl14]

Thanks everybody. I did join up with her and now she lets me do whatever with her and it only took two weeks. she is a bit unsure when i ride her but she has never tried to buck or rear. I even took her to my saddle club one day, and turns out she can run barrels and poll bend. She still needs some training, but i think she'll do really good if she ever gets over her fear. Well, I brought my sister with me today to see her and she let her touch her. She wasn't happy about it but as long as i was holding her lead line she was able to pet her. She is only four years old now and its only been a year since she was beat so I think as long i have her and she is treated right, in a couple of years people will be able to be around her without her being scared - or so i hope.

[4jpainthorses]

Years ago I had a gelding that a man had beat, I was the only one that could do anything with him the first year that we had him, even feed him. If I was gone or working and my husband had to feed, he had to carry a stick with him to even go in the stall. He never hit him with it but if he didn't have it, the horse would bare his teeth and come at him. After about a year, then he could go in and feed him without a stick. He never raised the stick after the first time he went in but the horse had to know that he had it. It took along time before he would even trust my husband and he saw him every day. After about 3 years, he was the most loving, trusting horse that you could ask for and anyone could ride him but it was a long time getting there.
It will take along time but she will come around. Just give her lots of love, attention and patience. Slowly introduce new people to her like you did today. The one I had would trust women but not men for the first 3 years. Be very careful when a strange man comes around her, as she will remember that it was a man that beat her.

[Cowgirl14]

She is exactly the same way. My dad goes with me to feed everyday and she still doesn't like him. but she lets him ride her. I dont get it. He does have to carry a whip with him though. He's never had to really use it on her, just a few taps now and then when she stops or tries to throw him off.