Two years ago, I bought my first and only horse, a palomino gelding who is now around 16 years old. I bought him from this ranch, where he was a barrel racer. I was so happy. He was perfect. I didn't use him for barrel racing, since he was older, I offered him a nice "retirement". He was a perfect first horse. We went on trail rides through forests and fields, bathed and brushed him regularly. I gave him mild exercise, like trotting and reigning. But...about a year ago he became "cinchy" (jumping when we tighten the cinch). It was a small problem that we were able to fix. But then more problems arose. He hated the saddle. Period. He wouldn't let us put the bridle in. The halter on. I could hardly brush him without him freaking out. The vet checked him out, and of coarse, didn't find anything. We use to get around and fix the mild problems he had, but now their are so many. I've ruled out many reasons like, "maybe he's lonely?" But I show lambs and always have a few around, and he really likes them, and my neighbors have horses that he sees a lot. I then thought, maybe I'm not spending time with him? I ride/brush or bathe him everyday in the summer, at least 3 times a week in the spring and fall, and the winters here are really cold, so I just visit him when the weather allows. Then, this spring I'm having back surgery, so I'll be in bed for at least three weeks, so if that's the case, he will get terrible. I'm the only one in my family that knows how to work with horses. I'm so sad, I just want us to be friends. He enjoys riding, dosent give me a problem once we get the saddle on. I'm depressed, I cry myself to sleep. I just want him to love me. Because I sure do love him.