Horses are extremely large and strong creatures. I have never been afraid of them and never understood why anyone would be. However, I also have a gift with horses that I will try my best to explain how to get a horse to trust you, especially those horses that have been battered and abused. 

The first horse I ever rode that was abused name was Phoenix. Phoenix was an Arabian that was really sweet but had been beaten by his previous owners for every little mistake. It would be a big mistake to kick him or use a crop on him because he would flip out. My trainer was hesitant to let me ride him because I was still a beginner but when I went out to the paddock, he walked over to me. She said that Phoenix never trusted people like that. I tried to figure out what I was doing and I realized that what I was doing was breathing steadily, approaching Phoenix from a safe place for him, and most importantly I was conscious of his abuse. As I approached him I thought about what he had gone through and what he must be thinking and how scary the world must be to him and he began to trust me.

That was when I was 13. Now I am working with abused horses and I have found that it is still important to understand that every horse has its own story. If you don't know the horse's story than realize that the horse is scared. Something happened in its past has made it afraid of people and YOU are the one responsible for making it feel safe and be safe. If you recognize that a horse needs to be respected but do not approach it with fear, it is easier to bond. 

It is also important not to push the horse into anything too fast. I've found that some people adopt horses from rescue ranches and plan to start them under saddle immediately. Most horses are not ready for that. Part of building trust is making the horse feel comfortable which could be talking, singing, and grooming the horse. Don't push an abused horse into riding or any other activity that might be too strenuous for him/her. 

Finally the most important things are to be gentle, kind, and patient. Most horses will get to a point where you will be trusted but it takes time and TLC. Give it that and you will be part of a miracle.