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Need help in re-breaking 12 year old horse!!!?

12 year old, Irish Draught mare has not been ridden in a year and a half due do having a foal. I have seen photos of her being ridden, and I'm told that she used to do jumping with her previous owner. Time has been given to her for her to settle into her new surroundings and I've finally got her lightly working on the lunge. Despite being told that she's 100% bomb-proof, she is very on-edge, finding it hard to relax and listen even whilst being groomed. Despite having a well-fitted bridle, when it comes to putting it over her ears she puts up a fight. Once the bridle is on however she is fine. I'm also told that her previous owner got on her just before she was sold and was thrown off immediately. She has a kind temperament all in all and I am more then keen on giving her a chance and the attention she deserves. I think I have given enough information! Could anyone please advise me as to what action I should take next??? Thanks in advance x

Since she is very on-edge, work first on desensitising her to anything and everything you can think of. Start with your hands, rub her all over and if you find a spot where she dislikes being touched, keep rubbing it until she calms down (lowers her head, licks her lips, quits moving, cocks her hind leg, or just stays still for you). Progress to your whip. Put her on a long lead, and walk away from her, slapping the ground as hard as you can with your whip. If she spooks, ignore it, and keep slapping. When she seems to be calm, turn around and walk backwards, still slapping as hard as you can. If she comes up to you, immediately stop and praise her, then slap. If she doesn't come to you, but seems relaxed, stop walking. See what her reaction is. Wait until she is calm, then shorten the lead, still slapping. You want to get to the point where you can stand at her head, slapping the ground at a 90 degree angle to her shoulder. Then stop and praise. Start slapping at a 90 degree angle, then gradually lesson the angle, bringing the whip closer to her body until you feel that if you went any closer, she would start moving. Slap at that spot until she is calm, then stop, praise, and start again. The goal is to be able to slap the whip right next to her body, and her being OK with it. Might take more than one session for her to be completely calm with it, so once she tolerates it, stop. Then start slinging the whip string over her back (if it doesn't have a string, tie one on). Don't stop if she moves, just wait for her to stop (it might help to pet her while you do this). Progress to her legs and neck, until you can put the whip anywhere. Also use plastic bags, tarps, and anything else you can think of.

Now, try working her harder on the longe. She needs to learn to respect you, and therefore trust you and relax around you. Start at a walk, and then progress to a trot, switching directions every few circles until she seems to be listening. If she is sweating hard, stop and praise her, and if not, canter and repeat. Teach her (not all in one session here) to respond to voice cues and/or body language cues consistently, and to just generally relax and tune in to you. Teach her to pivot, disengage her hindquarters, back well, anything else you can think of. Then move to saddle. Put it on her before working her, then take it off afterwards. When she accepts it as normal, do a session without it, and act as a "human currycomb". If you can, hop up, but not all the way, more so you are draped across her back. Then rub her all over. She should be very comfortable around you by this point, and if she does do something stupid, you can be off in an instant. When she is calm, try positioning yourself so you are lying on your stomach on her back. Rub, rub, rub. Then hop off and either put her away or work with her some. Do one or two more "human currycomb" sessions, then try climbing aboard. Walk her, get her used to a human on top again. Then progress to trotting, and cantering. Good luck!

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