Thorough veterinary care and patient training can help transform rescue horsesHorses with Hope works with rescues such as the Dorset Equine Rescue, which first took in Panike. Both organizations helped with this transformation. | Courtesy Megan Porter/Horses with Hope (left), The Dorset Equine Rescue (inset)When rescue horses arrive at a new home, they often come with health issues, emotional difficulties, and unknown pasts. But with quality care and careful retraining, these horses can overcome their challenges.Build Your Team BeforehandHave your support system in place before adoption, says Megan Porter, manager of Horses with Hope, a privately funded equine rescue in Maine, who, together with trainer Valerie Shepard, has rehabilitated, retrained, and rehomed hundreds of rescue horses.The most valuable resource during the early stages is a trusted veterinarian who can help you work through any physical components of a horses behavior and rehabilitation, says Porter. Its also just as important to have an experienced farrier.In addition, research and reach out to experienced and well-regarded horse trainers in your area. We highly recommend finding a trainer or online training platform that resonates with you and your goals prior to adopting a horse, she adds, to round out your support team. When questions or challenges arise, and they will, having a team in place for advice and guidance will make all the difference.Rescue Horse Behaviors on ArrivalRescue horses respond much like any horse thats faced significant changes or traumatic experiences, says Porter. She lists behaviors common to horses at intake:Separation anxiety Many horses struggle when separated from herd mates or adjusting to changes in their daily routine.Food aggression They display resource-guarding behaviors, especially if they have experienced starvation. This can manifest as food aggression toward other equids or even toward humans.Lack of training Overall, many of the horses lack a basic education of boundaries and appropriate response to pressure. This can also appear as fear of humans in many equids that have not been handled regularly since birth. These animals are missing some of the foundational building blocks necessary to form a well-rounded equine partner, says Porter.Address the Physical FirstNatalie Lord, DVM, founder of Four Paws/Cuatro Patas, an ambulatory mixed-animal practice in Austin, Texas, and a lifetime member of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, in College Station, Texas, advises having a vet look at the whole horse first: I start with a full-body veterinary exam, lameness exam including flexions, oral exam, bloodwork, and myofascial palpation.This thorough check allows her to find and address any discomfort that might be causing undesired behaviors before retraining begins. It is important not to label these horses as naughty but first take the time to investigate for pain, says Lord.Porter lists health issues she often sees:Most of the chronically malnourished horses are low in vitamin E and selenium, which can result in neurological and muscular issues and discomfort.Most have ulcers (confirmed by a vet) and exhibit behavioral signs of gastric pain (e.g., frequent deep abdominal stretches).Horses that have not had consistent hoof care throughout their lives have chronic pain likely associated with poor hoof quality, incorrect angles, or more serious issues such as laminitis or navicular disease.Owners sometimes miss the horses mouth when considering causes of chronic pain. A horse with an unbalanced mouth or dental issues can exhibit associated discomfort behaviors.Some horses have muscle tightness and benefit from bodywork in the form of chiropractic adjustments and massage.Many rescue horses need added support and time to reach their full physical potential. Only after making sure the horse is comfortable and healthy physically can we begin to delve into training-related behavioral challenges, says Porter.Take Your Time With TrainingThe team at Horses with Hope embraces a model for longer-term rehabilitation and retraining before rehoming their horses, allowing each step to take the time it takes. After resolving any physical issues, we start work with every horse from the ground up, regardless of their prior experiences, Porter explains. The key is slow, consistent work with the focus on filling in the missing pieces of their training. Most of these horses begin to blossom with daily handling, clear boundaries, and rebuilding trust in the horse-human relationship.Having fostered and adopted horses, Lord also advises a slow and steady approach: I take my time going through the basics and groundwork, ensuring my horse is comfortable with every step before proceeding.She recommends owners and trainers include their vets in this process. Owners with a rescue need to take it slow with them: Get to know the horse, introduce everything very slowly and very carefully without pressure, and see what the horse offers, says Lord. From there, give your veterinarian the feedback you receive from your horsefor example, tenderness when grooming, fear of objects on the ground, difficulty picking up feetto help pinpoint areas of concern.Anxiety caused by physical issues is quite common in rescue horses, she adds. Overwhelmingly, rescue horses come with pain in the neck, back, teeth, or feet. Chronic pain can lead these horses to display (behavior that can) range from reluctance to move forward or throwing the head up, all the way up to bucking and rearing.For any training challenges, Lord advises: The main thing is understanding where the negative behavior is coming from. Most horses are very willing to do the tasks theyre asked for, as long as they understand and are free from pain.I really feel that as humans, we could do a lot better at listening to what our animals need, she adds. It just takes experience to listen to the subtle cues of horse behavior. When owners educate themselves and begin to see when negative behaviors are indicators of pain, they understand their horses are trying to tell them something.Lord recommends exploring the work of Sue Dyson, MA, Vet MB, PhD, DEO, Dipl. ECVSMR, FRCVS, who has reported on indicators of equine pain (TheHorse.com/equinepain), conflict behaviors in horses (TheHorse.com/17720), harmony between horses and humans, and horse welfare, including the 2025 short film 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain (TheHorse.com/1116466).Learning New SkillsNot all behaviors stem from pain; perhaps a new rescue horse has been minimally or poorly handled, they dont understand what they are being asked to do, or they are nervous in a new environment. Many factors could be at play, and a slow, step-by-step approach builds rapport and confidence. Horses respond to release of pressure, says Lord. As a rider and horse owner myself, I can say that timing is everything. I have learned to really listen to the horse and pay attention to the slightest indication of softness and relaxation, such as breathing out, and then releasing any pressure, such as giving the rein.Lord says her best example involves trailering. I have had great success teaching horses to load in the trailernot by pulling and tugging, but by slowly leading them to the trailer, letting them sniff, patting them, and allowing them to be in a relaxed position, she explains. If they pull backwards, Ill go with them, but not release the pressure on the halter until they take one step forwardliterally oneand then I have a loop in my lead rope, which is a reward. They follow the softness, and eventually the horse follows me into the trailer because I have been a source of relaxation and reduced pressure.Treat Each Horse as an IndividualOnce the training basics are in place, Porter says she works toward determining each horses strengths. From here, we can set the horse up for success in the area where it is most likely to shine in the future, she says. Every horse is different, and there is no one size fits all method or training philosophy that works across the board. Being able to adjust for each horses needs is vital.Bright Futures for Rescue HorsesRescue horses are like any other horse, says Porter, saying that while they might have experienced starvation, neglect, or abuse, that shouldnt defi ne their futures. They have an amazing ability to overcome previous trauma, she says. Horses live in the moment and should not be labeled or categorized based on where they came from. With time, patience, and consistency, every horse has a chance at a bright future.And its not just a plus for the horses people benefit, too. Rehabbing and working with a rescue horse is the most rewarding thing, says Lord. And makes you a better horseman in the end.This article is from the Winter 2025 issue ofThe Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care. We at The Horse work to provide you with the latest and most reliable news and information on equine health, care, management, and welfare through our magazine and TheHorse.com. 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