When is it time to call it a day, feeling desperate!!

Keep working with him and try to make every experience positive for him. Food works wonders, especially at this time of year when forage is scarce. Sometimes horses come around very quickly with routine. Best wishes!
 
Sounds like he has been through a lot :-(
If it helps, you're not alone, Mine has been bombing off pretty regularly with all this wind, and my mare run through a 5 bar wooden gate, now she wont go through a gate without trying to bolt off. Ive owned her ten years so wouldn't dream if PTS. I cant get a headcollar on her half the time now either. Grrr
Definitely trust building exercise, which as we all know takes more than a few months with this type of horse - More like years, but you sound like you have the patience and determination, something people seem to lack these days. I hope he comes round, im sure he wants to trust you... he just isn't quiet sure if he should.

Anyway, wishing you all the best, I think it is highly commendable you didn't join the just PTS club. Let us know how you get on please :-)
 
So todays update is...he came to me for brekkie and dinner, he was edgy but calmer for having his chiffney out,(understandably), he let me rub his head and whilst he was eating I was able to stoke under his rugs and down his legs, he wild eyed me alot of the time but he allowed it, then I even took him for a little walk round the paddock, he backed off when I got near the gate way and the thick mud so we just stood there for a bit, had a treat and a cuddle and left it at that. Great progress, think I'll carry on like this untill I have the luxery of my small paddock back as at least in that paddock I can catch him alot easier if he bolts, it wont hurt him to have a little time out and lots of bonding time with me....and food!! Going to seek some professional advise too for his relapses as have recieved some great leads from you guys. Would like to say how greatful I am for all your kind words and words of advise, makes these difficult times easier. :)
 
Nothing more to add as everything possible has already been said but just wanted to say that your dedication to this horse is awesome, he is so lucky to have someone with so much faith.

The best of luck with him.
 
lunarlove said:
So todays update is...he came to me for brekkie and dinner, he was edgy but calmer for having his chiffney out,(understandably), he let me rub his head and whilst he was eating I was able to stoke under his rugs and down his legs, he wild eyed me alot of the time but he allowed it, then I even took him for a little walk round the paddock, he backed off when I got near the gate way and the thick mud so we just stood there for a bit, had a treat and a cuddle and left it at that. Great progress, think I'll carry on like this untill I have the luxery of my small paddock back as at least in that paddock I can catch him alot easier if he bolts, it wont hurt him to have a little time out and lots of bonding time with me....and food!! Going to seek some professional advise too for his relapses as have recieved some great leads from you guys. Would like to say how greatful I am for all your kind words and words of advise, makes these difficult times easier. :)
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sounds like another small step in the right direction - you obviously have a very good bond with him and understand how to approach him. Professional help sounds a plan - getting someone good to give you an objective view and perhaps some new ideas. If only these horses of ours could talk!
 
Well done you for giving this lad a second chance, it's lovely when oldies come good, not quite the same, but we took on a 12 yr old GSD with aggression issues, he spent 18 months in kennels, being rehomed on a regular basis, resulting in being returned after 48hrs for biting, we insisted on ground rules, put him in a kennel when he threatened to bite, he soon figured out if he wanted to be with us (he did) he had to stop the growling and showing his rather large teeth, he spent his last 3 yrs with us, so yes give this lad time, he could well come right
 
He has been to hell and back again. What he needs is time. OP obviously cares deeply for this horse or they wouldn't have put so much effort into finding and saving him.
What he needs is TIME, in the last few years he has had how many new owners etc?

Someone at the livery yard bought a very dangerous horse a few years ago- everyone would say PTS- it bit someone walking past the stable so hard it dragged them over the stable door! Literally no one but the owner could get near it, especially in the stable. I met the owner (and the dangerous horse) the other day. It was so friendly in and out of the stable, doesn't even make a face anymore.
It has taken the owner 4 years to get to that stage.
 
Op I want to congratulate you on what you are doing for this horse! Don't give up just yet, you're going in the right direction and I have everything crossed for you.

Would be nice to see a picture of your lovely lad too :)
 
Thank you guys :) flirtygerty I also have a rescued bull mastiff x GSD that was used as a bait dog the picked up by the pound then given to a rehoming centre but no one wanted her as she was so timid....2 years on shes our baby, soft as and the best dog I've ever owned :)
Not so great on the horse front today, he has been great last few days and let me pick his feet, lead him around the field and move his rugs etc, today he will come to me for feed but wont let me near him to touch :( back to the drawing board we go!! sigh
 
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