Well I decided to try that Appaloosa gelding that I posted about a couple weeks ago.  He was the one that I truly liked but the owner said he was nervous around strange horses (coming close to him) and situations.  Well to be exact I talked with the owner we decided to send him to a mutually agreed upon trainer for two weeks. So the trainer spent some time at home exposing him to differnet situations, such as riding him out in his pasture in an out of the horse herd and having other people come close to him in his arena.  He said the horse was very nice but that he was was a little stressed and didn't have much confidence.  He told me the gelding really didn't do anything more than snort and lift his head no matter what he tried with him.  So this weekend they were going a 3 day barrel race close by my house so they decided to take him for the experience.  I drove up to see him today and I was impressed.  First of all it was a totally new (scary) indoor arena and they forgot to pack a lungeline so he just hopped on.  The horse gave him a little trouble going through the alleyway into the arena but he got him in within a minute.  I could tell he was nervous at first but after about 20 minutes he relaxed and was riding out really well.  It was a nice set up because there were only about 3 other horses in the arena when he first took him in and more and more started trickling in. Horses were loping and galloping in all directions.  He had his friend ride close behind and pass him several times and ole appy took it like a champ!  The one thing the trainer did that rattled him some, was when he had his friend come at him straight on and pass close.  The gelding would raise his head and sort of scatter side wise a couple steps, but after about about the 10th time the other horse came by he was definately getting more comfortable and less reactive. So I considered that a good sign!  The trainer is going to haul him back to the barrel race for the next couple of days so he is going to get a little more exposure that way.  I think I am going to ask the owner now if I can take him home for a couple weeks myself.  If I see more improvement then the guy will get a new home with me!  I am excited!  Keep your fingers crossed!

   I do a have a question for anyone who has any input?  What types of training methods and/or situations can I do to help build this geldings confidence?  I googled it and really got nothing much in regards to the horses' confidence.  Any suggestions or comments are welcome!

T

Well, if you're getting positive results from this trainer, I would work with the trainer more once you bought him.  Take some lessons from him and ask him how he was able to build his confidence.

 I think that building confidence in any horse just takes time and patience.  Don't make a big deal out of things, and eventually they realize that there is not much to be afraid of.  Don't push them too far, too fast.  Reward them for good behavior rather than punish them for spooking or other undesirable behavior.  You have to be a confident rider, handler, and person to handle an unconfident horse.  If you don't that you fit that description, I wouldn't buy the horse.  You'll just be frustrated with him and fear him in the end.