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Re: [RC] Change & eating habits - DVeritas

Hi Rae,
    What I will suggest is a bit difficult, but it will work for you and your gelding.
    First, I need to say that a horse with  the behavioral habits you describe and the willingness, heck, the "desire" to "get down the trail" could possibly be a true disaster waiting to happen.  Eagerness to go, without the systems all hydrated up and fed up can be a bad combination.
    If you are able, I would load this horse into a trailer every morning, drive a few hundred yards, stop and feed and water him while he's tied to the trailer.  Then, I'd recommend you go do what you have to do and let him stand there and wonder what it is he's supposed to do.
    After a couple of hours, I'd load him up again, move him a couple of hundred yards, and repeat the feed and water thing, and leave him a lone.
    After a couple of hours, I load him up again and do it all again.
    I'd do this for two days.
    Then, the third day, I'd do the same thing, but with him fully tacked.  After allowing him to stand tied to the trailer with food and water for, say, an hour, I'd take him out for a very quiet walk, trot ride, returning to the trailer and, slackening the cinch, allow him to eat and drink for, say fifteen minutes to a half of an hour.  Then,
.....I'd repeat the walk/trot ride thing. 
    I would teach him that you are about the riding, the trailer, and the need for him to come to terms with his place in your life.
    I recognize the behavioral pathology of your horse, particularly with his background.  His fear of what is "going to come at him next" will dissipate with time...his automatic responses to change to deeply rooted and require these drastic measures, or you will one day find him in serious metabolic trouble, but even worse, you will find him living a life that is a source of fear and terrible frustration for him.
    Seeking help for him and a wonderfully compassionate and enlightened thing you do....the very best of luck to you Rae!
    ~Frank