Horse is awful to put saddle on help?!?!?!

My horse has been off work for the past 4 months due to a bad back from previous saddle that didnt fit (with previous owner) we noticed her back was wrong when she started to put up a fight when we got the saddle out. She has been checked by vet and had 3 sessions of physio and we've continued the stretches every day. My vet and Physiotherapist have now said I can ride but Georgie my horse will not let anyone near her with a saddle I have tried building it up gradually by starting putting numnahs and rollers etc on her back and she puts her ears back (she is grumpy anyway!) but is fine with it until the saddle comes out then she tries to bite/kick/pin you against wall and she squeals. I understand that she is remembering the pain but we are getting a Saddler out in 2 weeks and I need her to be able to let us try saddles out I don't know what to do

Maybe try to be more firm with her? You might be teaching her that if she kicks/bites you she dosen't have to wear a saddle. My horse had the same problem but I fixed it by saying firmly saying "No" then giving her a light tap with a crop on her shoulder. It may work for your horse, but all horses are different. Or you can give Natural Horsemanship a try.

As she has had a sore back previously from a bad fitting saddle, I am thinking that she has connected the dots. Saddle = Sore back. So now when she sees a saddle coming for her, she isn't going to like it.
I don't have any suggestions with it, but being firm is a big thing. She will learn that by misbehaving, she can get away with not having the saddle on her. She just needs to know that the saddle will no longer be the cause of pain. Best of luck! :)

Sorry, ignore the last post :)

As you said, she has had a sore back previously from a bad fitting saddle, and she has connected the dots. Saddle = Sore back. So now when she sees a saddle coming for her, she isn't going to like it. When you put the saddle on, are you riding her? If not (which it sounds like), good job!

Is she a food orientated horse at all? If she is, when you put on the saddle blanket and all that, give her a tiny treat. That might also help her become more accepting. After that, just leave the saddle on top of her, don't do up anything. Wait for a couple of seconds and then take it off. Another treat or a scratch.

If she starts to misbehave while you are taking it off, put it straight back on her back but gently. Then wait a few more seconds. I am not sure whether this will help your girl, but it works for Pumpkin.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope all goes well when you get the Saddler out.

Thanks for the help! It took alot of carrots and on and offs of saddles but we got there, and she's never been better to ride/ be with! Thanks again xx

Glad you got it all sorted out!

Glad you got it sorted out. I hope it continues to go well for you!

Errr. Sure feed her and make her your friend...but... There is still a problem here.. the horse is Alpha.. fix that.