Advice needed - suddenly frightened of traffic - sorry long

terrierliz

terrierliz

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I would really appreciate some advice as not sure what approach to take. My horse has always been fabulous in traffic, heavy lorries, tractors etc.
However about 10 days ago he spooked at a lorry stepped off the road into a corn field panicked, tried to spin, lost his footing and tipped over sideways on top of me and took off up the road. Luckily ground was soft and neither of us was hurt and somebody gave me a lift and we caught up with Dylan who came running back to me was quite stressed. Walked him for a couple of hundred yards then managed to get back on and carry on home which was luckily only about 3/4 mile.

I took him out the next day and he seemed ok - we didn't meet any heavy traffic a few vans and a mini bus and he was fine.

Next day took him out again, different route - single track road but wide verges met a skip lorry, we stood in a gateway whilst he passed and were fine. A few minutes later large tractor and trailer stood to one side again we were fine.

I went out this afternoon, planning on a quiet hack, all ok tractor and trailer ok, fork lift with large bucket on the front a bit of a look but ok....... sprayer with booms, felt him tense tried to reassure him asked him to keep walking all ok until it was about to pass us (it was approaching us) and he spun legs underneath him and down we went luckily I managed to step off this time and keep hold of him. Sprayer had stopped so I led him by and checked him over - grazed knee and a couple of nicks but nothing major. I carried on as was on a circular route and luckily met very little traffic.

Well done for any of you for getting this far - I just don't know what to try next - I keep him at home on his own and don't have anyone to hack out with.

We do have a small haulage yard in the village and also a agricultural dealer, I wondered whether it was worth giving them a call and asking if I could take Dylan to let him have a look round their yards at all the scary things

Any ideas, opinions really appreciated

Thanks
 
If he has any sense then he will have linked together spinning round with bad things happening so he should be less inclined to do it again. I'd just as hack as normal
 
Bossanova - I will try to keep hacking out but am worried about losing my nerve - am ok so far but previously owned a horse that was bad in traffic and got to the point where I couldn't ride.

Donablue - have pm'd you

Kazs - we have a little tractor at home and have had that running in the field with the topper on it and he is more than happy to walk up to that and sniff the tyres!!

Thanks for your replies
 
I have had exactly the same. My 16 year old horse whom we have owned for 12 years and who was absolutely bombproof in traffic suddenly spooked at a large vehicle crawling past us on a narrow road. He dumped me and ran up the road. I then for 6-8 week tried to desensitise him again but was dumped again when a lorry didnt slow.
Now even if I just lunge him the school which is next to the road he spooks if a lorry goes past. I dont feel I can hack out any more as if I fall off he totally panics and I cant hold him so he is off along the road. I am really furious about it all and dont know the answer.
 
I had a similar problem years ago, horse would stop, spin and tank off up the road. It got so bad I was afraid to hack out.
However, one day I realised I had got to the stage where I was so tense I was expecting something to happen.

I just turned over a new leaf and adopted a "right, lets get on with it" attitude and we never looked back.
I'm not saying that will work in your case, but it's worth thinking about.
 
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