Getting used to traffic

A

anniedoherty

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I couldn't ride in the school today because it was being used by the Pony Club so I thought I would lead my horse out to the grass verge to have a nibble on the grass. He was wearing a normal headcollar and I led him out of the yard and towards the lane. We didn't get far though because a car came past and he freaked out and took off back into the yard with me hanging on to the lead rope. I tried to calm him down but he had grown about two feet taller, tail like a banner, snorting and rolling his eyes. He didn't calm down until I took him back onto "his" part of the yard where I guess he feels safe.

As a first time horse owner I just wondered if this was normal behaviour? He is a 6 year old KWPN. I have no idea of his history. I have never hacked him out as I lost my nerve a while back when my loan horse bolted. I would like to get out and about again but I am terrified to even take a step outside the yard because I think he would just dump me and head back to the yard at speed without me on board.

Any advice?
 
I'm having a guess, but i bet hes never been hacked out- well on the roads anyway. If he came from abroad, he would have been in a stable 24/7 and ridden in a menege (only generalising). My WB was exactly the same when the owner before me got her, she treated her as a youngster and now shes 100%.

It definitely isn't normal behaviour, unless the car was noisy or was going past fast as it sounds as if your horse was quite scared of it.

I would seek advice from an instructor or someone experienced to help you and introduce him very slowly to cars.
 
Do you have a field next to the road?

He sounds like he just hasn't seen much traffic, so he'll need starting like a baby would when he goes out (going with a bombproof horse and confident rider down small quiet roads first etc).
 
I am afraid he's not been out in any field yet since I've had him. Please don't all shout at me - I haven't got any control over the situation as he is at livery. I am looking for a new yard at the moment because this isn't how I want his life to be.

I do think that I need help with introducing him to traffic as the car wasn't going fast and was just a normal car, not overly noisy. I am seeing a natural horsemanship teacher tomorrow and will, hopefully, get some advice.

I know that with my nerves and my horse's obvious fear we could be a dangerous combination unless we get proper help.
Thanks for replying. You have both confirmed what I thought I needed to do.
 
Firstly you've learned a valuable lesson, don't take a horse on the road without a bridle, preferably on a lunge line too.
I doubt he has ever seen traffic by the sound of it and if you are nervous and a first time owner you are the last person who should attempt to traffic proof him. not being nasty just realistic!
Your best bet is to drive round him in the field with the above control and see what happens. If he is unafraid then get someone to walk outside him on a quiet horse and another horse in front of him in light traffic. Wear all the necessary reflective gear and the young horse sign helps.
If he doesn't react the next step is lead from a quiet horse under tack but no rider for hacks.
Then and only when you are sure he doesn't react allow a confident experienced rider to hack him alongside the other horse.
If after all this he proves good in traffic then perhaps you could get on half way home changing riders..
If he shows fear of traffic I would either send him to someone to see if they can help him, or stay off the roads by moving to an area with lots of off road riding.
We find as a rule they are ether good in traffic or they aint.. Many of the babies havea wriggle or two at first but soon settle down, but older horses who have never seen traffic are harder to teach.
 
I have a fear of riding on roads, but I am slowly getting better. My lad is young and hadn't seen traffic when I got him. I now go out with two experienced traffic proof horses and I ride in the middle of both of them. We slow the traffic down so the cars don't come screaming past.

I have found it really useful going out in a three and me sandwiched in the middle, not only does it give my boy confidence, it gives me confidence too.

I went out the other day and I actually enjoyed my ride. It is all about, time, patience and overcoming fear for you and horse.

Good luck
 
Thanks Henryhorn, I didn't actually get as far as the road, we were still on the yard and he was terrified. I agreee that I am not suitable to traffic proof him myself. I don't think I would even try to be honest because I know my limits and this is definitely outside them.

I would love to find someone to help me but, so far, no luck. Maybe when I move yards I will get the help which I desparately need. Can you actually send horses away for "traffic training"? I haven't seen this advertised.
 
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