Problem horse in CA needs training, where to go?

hi, i have a Saddlebred-Arabian mare (8 years old) whom i have had since she was a wee one. she has been in professional training from the ages of 1 to 3, shown in hand, and can pull a cart. she had been started, but has been a leisurely pasture horse ornament the past 5 or 6 years. she is very smart, but is scared of a lot of things. like puddles, anything different or new, etc. she is pretty well behaved when in the halter, but still get scared sometimes. i want a horse i can ride around on trails, trailer to the beach, and just have a fun (and safe) time with. i haven't ridden her, because i don't think she is quite safe enough to ride. i am looking for a trainer who can make her a good riding horse (i just want to bareback with her, though i am a level 2 dressage student, and have ridden western, hunter-jumper as well)





also, is it possible for her to become a brave well behaved mare? i have heard that there are no problem horses, only problem trainers, and i tend to believe this, but what if she cant be helped? what if she doesn't have the mind to become what i want her to become? (a safe, calm and well mannered, brave riding horse for trail and arena?)





OH! a big thing, she has an Arabian gelding best friend whom she cannot even go into the barn without. she kind of goes nuts when she cant see him/he cant see her. it is really annoying because i cant do anything without him being there too. i don't know how to break that habit, but it is debilitating to her (and the gelding too), and of course whoever is trying to work with her.





SO, I am looking for a trainer (in CA) who can bring my lovely mare, of whom i have shared a lot of my life with, to a place where she can be fully enjoyed and i can have a good horse to ride around the pastures in. I need someone who has a way with horses who are timid, and someone who can help her become the brave well behaved horse I know she can be! she is a wonderful girl, with a big heart, and i want her to reach her fullest potential.I have waited a long time for this horse to be ready to ride, and i am ready to make it happen.





I need some suggestions of trainers, or suggestions period. thank you!|||This is my barn in Nor Cal. www.flyingrranch.net





I think my trainer is the best trainer in the universe! She trains dressage, but she is amazing with 'problem' horses and is so patient and kind. She gets great results. If you email me through the contact page (I am the web person) I can email you back with more info. At the very least it would be worth talking to her.|||Southern, northern, central? Don't care?





I live in socal and have never had a problem finding a good trainer. I would expect it to be even easier is norcal. Go around to local barns and tack shops and talk to people. Horse people love to recommend the people who have done a good job with their horses.





Look specifically for problem horse trainers, not discipline related trainers yet|||California is a big state. Where are you and how far are you willing to travel to have your horse trained?





Sounds like she has several issues. There are trainers who just work with problems, and others who will work with those and will work with you to ride in your chosen discipline. Do you just want to trail ride or do you want a trainer who can also bring you and your horse along in dressage or H/J?|||I have a great trainer in Northern Ca. Check out the website for Americanhorsetrailerrentals.com. The owner of that company is an awesome trainer for horses like yours. His name is Gregg.





Good luck!