fly ears and ground manners

[linds.ruby]

hi,

i have recently brought my first horse. i took her out on her first hack yesterday and she was a dream except for when a flock of sheep came running up along the other side of the hedge. she could hear but not see and decided to spin. do fly ears really help reduce surrounding noises?
also the best way to teach some ground manners. i am firm with her but she naps with our pony. our pony went out of site and she was trying to head butt me, she relaxed as soon as she could see her again. she wont lunge as she was a lesson pony and did it so much that she developed a disliking to the menage. we do have a bond forming but ideas to help with manners would greatly appreciated.

 

[Shay]

Ear veils won't help with noise - they keep flies out. You can combine them with equine ear plugs - some top jumpers do for indoor shows where the noise echos. I'm not sure that would help in your case though - it might just make her more nervous.

It would probably be a good idea to get some support in these early days. Either a good instructor or someone from Natural horsemanship (Not the one beginning with P). but if you want to try a book I'd suggest starting with Perfect Manners by Kelly Marks.

 

[Sparemare]

Get yourself a dually and have a natural horsemanship professional out to do some work with you and your mare. Earlier the better.