help! probs with enclosed spaces?

[v1978h]

my 16.1mare has a fear of hitting her head on the top of stable doors and wen loading in a trailer. the problem is as soon as we try to enter the stable she puts her head in the air and thinks she wont fit inside. if i leave her at the end of the rope and walk inside away from her shoulder she ll walk straight in.i think she must have had a bashing (by someone or her head) at some point. in a perfect world i d love open american barn style stables but its not possible

we tried taking her in a trailer the other day but the only way we could get her in was to be on the end of a lunge line through the front ramp leaving the space completely clear and as open as possible although a tiny bit tense she walked in to some food n seemed quite comfortable wen inside. obviously its not ideal to be so far away from her shoulder. we are gradually trying to build up her trust, and she s happy to be at my side wen not faced with enclosed spaces. i was just wondering if anyone had any tips or similar problems.

 

[v1978h]

oh and we ve not tried any control halters yet but i wolud nt know which is best to keep her head relaxed. any kind of pressure tenses her up and her head goes in the air. she s a really kind horse in general and we dont want to scare her.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

vh1 I think you're doing it exactly right. A shedload of compassion and understanding and take things in tiny, tiny steps that your ned can cope with. Make every go a happy experience and carry on loving her to bits and I have no doubt whatsoever that she'll eventually trust you enough to follow you over burning coals. She's lucky to have you as a mum xxx

 

[Booboos]

Sounds like you are doing really well with her. It does seem like she may have had a scary accident in the past, but you are giving her the time and room to think about it and she is figuring out that it's not that scary, so I wouldn't change anything.

 

[v1978h]

thank you for your good vibes. we have nt had her long so i guess it ll just take time and patience.