Ex-Bronc Trust Issues?

Hey everyone, I'm currently working on breaking a horse that has slight trust issues.
The thing is, when he was about 2, he was a bronc. Now he's 4, and that past abuse had impacted him.

First off, he's a little hard to catch. Not DIFFICULT, he doesn't run around the feild like mad when he sees a halter, but he will turn away and walk off. I've tried all the catching tricks, but they never seem to work with him. Of course, I have tried bribes with a treat (who hasn't?!) But the thing is, he WILL NOT take any kind of treat. At all. From anyone.

Once he is caught, he acts like a pro. Leads, loads, clips, cross-ties, will stand tied all day, and even ground ties. He is working really well under saddle. Walks, trots, canters, bends&flexes, etc.

I just hate the fact that his previous owners failed to see the potential in him, or even bothered to do any slight training with him. They just decided he would be the type of horse to have spurs jabbed into his neck and a cinch in his flank, bucking and swinging, trying to get away from the hectic abuse of rodeo.

And advice or suggestions would be great!
Thanks!

I wouldn't be worried about any possible past abuse issues too much. I would treat him like any other difficult to catch horse. Do you work him every time you bring him in? Is he turned out in a herd? How big is the pasture?

I see it right now as a respect issue rather than a trust issue. He has no reason to want to come in and be with you when he could sit out in a pasture and relax all day.
Im curious to here your answers to the questions I asked before I go about how I would proceed.

What 'tricks' have you tried so far?

When I bring him in, I don't ride him every time. Sometimes I will bring him in to feed and groom, then turn him back out.

He is turned out in a herd of 6 horses (including himself) and the pasture is about 5-6 acres.

As for the tricks, I have tried:
-treat bribery
-the circle game (circle him and make the circle smaller and smaller until you spiral into him)
-catch him and let him go

Seeing as you posted this in the NH section I assume your open to things like join up etc.

It will probably help, but don't just chase him around, because in this case he's not running away just speed up your walk towards him a bit untill he stops then return to normal pace.
Helpp me with join up please!!!!

Hm. I don't know about the trust issues, all I can say is to keep working with him. But about the rodeo. This really caught my eye. Rodeos are not abusive. I ride broncs, I barrel race, I calf rope, heck, I even rode a bull or two. All the horses are healthy, vet checked and their feet are trimmed regularly. Most horses do enjoy bucking. Even big time rodeo horses (like in the Calgary stampede) only get bucked 10 - 15 times a year. Sure, once in a while one dies. That doesn't mean its been abused. We lost a horse from bucking in the pasture. She tripped mid buck and landed on her neck. It snapped and killed her. This is exactly what happens in rodeos. They trip and break something, but this is one in maybe, 1000 horses. I have been in the rodeo business for 25+ years, and I have only saw maybe 6 horses die. Not to be rude, but this is a bit . . Rough on rodeos.

<p>To ^, I think the poster means maybe more amateur type people who think they are rodeo but lack the skills. I live near a lot of rodeos and most are professionals, and the horses like their jobs... Some however... Not so much... :\ always the amateurs who think they can be pro at stuff like barrel racing and *bronc (phone wants to autocorrect to Bronx lol) riding. Yall just make it look so easy! :P</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>To OP: Sounds like my boy, only substitute in ignorant barrel racer scam trainers. NOT real barrel racers or even horseman.</p>
<p>Kelty used to be headshy,jumpy, and convinced people would hurt him a year ago. Now he cuddles, will rest his head on your hip, and expects everyone to rub his star. *Sniff*</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The biggest thing was time... I came out everyday to groom him, graze him, handwalk him, and spend time with him just being a herdmate. (As well as train and ride)</p>
<p>This may not be realistic for you, but every minute counts :) its really kind of relaxing in my opinion.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p><font size="1"><i>Posted via Mobile Device</i></font></p>

I don't know why my post is full of html... Sorry about that.
Posted via Mobile Device

another thing, don't use treat bribery. Go catch him with a carrot or something in your pocket and give it to him as a reward after you catch him but don't use it to lure him to you

I'm curious why you shouldn't lure the horse in with treats. My horses don't always like to come, so I shake a grain bucket and they always come. I've done this for years with no behavior issues or bad habits.

To the OP, does he let you touch him as he walks away? Or would he take off if you touch him? I have a friend who has a horse like yours that walks away, not run, walks. She takes a brush with her out to the pasture and before her horse can walk away; she starts brushing on the horse. She brushes the horses favorite spots, like her tummy or neck, and slips the halter on as she brushes the horse. Her horse LOVES a good brushing though so it might differ from horse to horse.

Because the horse isn't actually learning to come to people or to come when called, it's just learning to come to food which horses already know pretty well. Which is fine if you want, but in extreme cases it'll lead to the horse turning it's tail to you when you don't have food, so the more you do it the more you'll need to do it.