totally unhandled fell mare age 10 years?

I would take her on. I think you will definitely get somewhere with her. She'll probably always be wary of humans and will never be your best pony friend, but I think with patience and consistency you could have her accepting you and there's no reason to think you'd never be able to ride her.

My first pony was something like that. From what I heard, someone tried to break her when she was 2, it didn't go well, so she was pretty much turned out and left alone until she was 8. When I got her she was 8 and had been in training for 2 months. She was very nervous and flighty and not at all trusting of humans (perfect pony for a 12 year old, right?). I had her for the next 16 years and she eventually did well enough to go training level eventing and help me pass my Pony Club B. She did come to trust me, but not most other people. She was always wary of my parents (we kept her at home) or especially of strangers, but she was never dangerous. She never became a super friendly horse, but she was perfectly okay and trainable. In her older years, I even used her to take my non-riding boyfriend on trail rides.

I'm not really sure what you're asking in all of this...

A horse that hasn't been handled in 8 years will have no trust for humans because they've had no interaction with humans. A horse doesn't need to be abused to have trust issues... they need to be worked with in order gain trust. A horse could also be broke, but when they aren't ridden, handled, and just roaming the pasture, their minds essentially revert back to a "feral" state where all they care about is food, water, and shelter... it's the basic living of a horse.

Ten years old is late to start but I don't believe it would be too late. It would; however; require a knowledgeable trainer who is used to handling older horses, as they are more set in their ways then a younger horse, like the foal for instance. This isn't the type of training job for an average horse person, the trainer must be experienced.

No it is not too old . The mare has some trust if she is allowing anyone to handle her foal .I have brought back into work a 12 yo mare & a 4 yo stallion .It depends on your ability & confidence .The main difference i found was unlike a youngster you would teach to be handled & ridden [ who will use a flight response when stressed ] horses that have fended for themselves tend to trample you first .If you are able then go for it .The proudest moment of my life was seeing my then 3 yo child leading in the previously wild stallion . It can be done good luck with them .

Absolutely there is hope. Time and patience. At 10 years old, and ridden 8 years ago she was still a baby herself if she was. Whether or not she has suffered abuse, she is having a trust issue with humans and kind treatment and patience can work. Do you have a pen to keep her in to work on it?

First thing she needs is shots and wormed- probably baby too. Talk to your vet about feed thru wormers to start her on as you work on the rest. BLM donkeys and horses are pure wild and yet can be gentled. Read about how various trainers work with them, but do it kindly so she learns to trust you.

Good luck- and thanks for caring about that mom and foal.

She deserves some love. If you've got the time to work with her, I don't see why not. Especially if shes got a foal with her, she should be tame and handleable. Just because shes older doesn't mean she can't learn. If shes got trust issues, yes its going to be harder. But she learned all this once, I'm sure. It'll come back to her.

No 10 is not too old. Take it easy at first. Try to gain her trust slowly by talking to her, giving her a treat sometimes, and when you can pet her brush her. Simple things like this and walking her will let her gain trust. I had to do this with my pony. When I got her she was 22 and this got her to trust be to the point where I can ride her.Take it easy and before you know it she will be great. Just remember take your time and don't rush.