Hi Gang.. I'll be interested in seeing all the responses to this one! I bought a young, untrained 4 1/2 year old Arab mare 8 weeks ago. She was emaciated (200 pounds underweight) and in very bad shape. However,she trailered fine and unloaded fine. She's been on a diet prescribed by my vet, who's well-respected and only works on horses. She's agained 100 pounds in 8 weeks and still has another 100 to go. Once I got her into the corral, I could no longer catch her. In order for the vet to check her over and give her vaccinations, etc., I had to get her into a triangular wedge with portable corral panels. Only then will she let me touch her...and even then, she will tremble as my hand gets closer to her. Trust is obviously her major issue. I suspect she was cornered and beaten at some point. What's peculiar is...once I get hold of her, I can lead her anywhere. Go figure. I've spent hours and hours with her and I think she knows now that I'm not going to kill her or anything. I've been patient and quiet. I've tried the John Lyons thing...she just ran around the pen for 2 hours without stopping, etc. All the other things I've tried based on "famous" trainers advice have not worked. I've tried treats and grain, without success. She's doing better, but it has been a VERY long process. She's in a huge corral and I want to turn her out with my gelding to graze on pasture, but I dare not until she lets me approach her without first going into "the wedge." Advice? Laura
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