My horse is scaring me...?

When he turns his hindquarters on you, stay out of kicking range, but do something to get his attention and turn around. Cluck, kiss, whatever, but don't walk in when his back's to you. If noise doesn't work, a light tap with a rope or whip is probably a good bet. Make yourself someone he wants to be with and try to think why he might be doing this. What were you doing when this first started? What is your relationship like otherwise?

Make sure first and foremost that you are safe. Don't attempt this if you don't feel confident enough or if in some way it would compromise your saftey. Talk to him. Maybe if you sit outside his stall and talk to him, he'll get curious and turn around. At that point praise him. Be safe and Good luck.

Smack him hard on the bum with a short whip when he goes to do it or kick him back - he's obviously trying to call the shots and him kicking out is making you stop what you are doing, which is what he wants.

I agree. Send the horse to a trainer and then get the trainer to work with you. You are scared of your horse and your horse has decided that you do not outrank it. This is a BAD combination.

Telling you on here what to do is NOT a good idea. We can not judge the horse because we are not there and the smallest misconception about the situation can end up with advice that could get you injured.

No, get a trainer and have the trainer work with you and your horse.

that is extremely unusual behaviour for a gelding ! what exactly were you doing when he struck out ? did he actually swing his butt at you and try to kick you ? give him a smack of the shoulder and tell him know its even more important you do this with your own horse . As a relationship with a half tonne animal is dangerous enough - never mind how dangerous it could be if the horse has no respect for you.

Hardcore event rider? Afraid of your horse and asking strangers. Send the horse to a trainer who will deal with him full time and straighten him out. Then when the horse returns have the trainer teach you how to deal with him so he doesn't revert.

I agree with the "join-up" response. Sounds to me like he just needs to learn some respect!!

Everytime he acts out like that, get the lunge out and make him work. Try that and see if you get more respect.

I doubt he will attack you! However if he is that bad I can only recommend getting a trainer who can properly handle the situation.

You mentioned in the stable he acts out.... Does that mean in his stall?? Because my gelding will often pin his ears back and strike the wall while in his stall...& when I'm in there too....but he does it to the other horses on either side of him if they start to get noisey and look in his stall. It's not directed towards me.

If your horse is all of sudden changing his behavior and attitude I recommend that you get a vet out. He could be trying to tell you something, like he's in pain and he's trying to protest work.

Your horse has decided you are below him in his pecking order. You need to tell someone and get some help. I will call this person a trainer. They don't have to be a professional trainer, just someone you are comfortable with who know how to help you become confident and safe around your horse. You need to get past the soft sweet you and show your horse who is the boss. Otherwise, he will start carrying his "win" in the stall over to other places until you are afraid to go near him. Get tough!

If you need to gain respect in a hurry, I have found that putting a halter with a chain lead on and practicing showmanship moves works wonders. Before putting him into his stall, try the halter with chain thing and practice walking, STOP on a dime, Back with authority in your voice, make him pivot AWAY from you so he can't trample you, trot, walk, etc. Do it for at least five minutes changing moves about every three to five steps. Your body should be with perfect posture and your moves should be snappy, not soft and sweet. Not mean, but confident, and crisp. Expect him to respond immediately. If you don't know how, ask your knowledgeable trainer person to show you. Then leave his halter and chain on and take him into his stall. Do a few of the same moves in there- on a much smaller scale. Stay firm and keep standing tall. (there used to be a saying...Never let 'em see you sweat! This applies here for sure! Don't show ANY fear!) This is your time to show him YOU are above him in the pecking order. Do not feed him until he gives you his ears forward. ANY signs of disrespect, and you do not deliver the goods till he gives his ears. You need your trainer with you for a few days until he shows he believes you are the leader and you feel confident in what you are doing. Then, keep up the routine for a while, and if he ever starts to be a bully again, repeat. I would repeat this every few days once he has learned to be a good boy. It helps to maintain your position.

Here are some videos to show you what it looks like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-frEygO48cQ

Just show you are confident! Best of luck!

so get a trainer.