Horse broken but not out on roads

[Stinkypinkbubbles]

Hi all
I've just bought a new Connemara mare just turned 5yrs. She was broken at 3yrs in the school and up in the hills then turned out with no human contact for a year then brought back in spring 15' and the girl who got her didn't do any road work or ever took her out on her own. She had her for a year. Her reaction to jodi would be to whip her in temper when she didn't behave. I have now bought her 3 weeks ago and she is fine going out hacks up the hills n fields but as soon as I take her out on the road she gets so nervous n scared . Any change in colour on the road or if it's sunny and there are lots of shadows she comes to a sudden stop and refuses to walk over them . It is at its worse when shes alone but it can happen when I go out with others, even my other horse n daughter. Again it is at its worst on the way out but even on the way home she can panic at the road markings etc.
It's as if she hasn't been broken on the road.
So my dilemma is ---
Do I persevere and continue to take her out alone or do I take her out every time along with my other horse ? She hates taking the lead so taking Katy out with her does help but I do want her to be able to go out on her own.
Wot do I do ?????
Thanks

 

[be positive]

If she has never been on a road before and has also been mistreated then she will be nervous of doing something that is new to her, she needs to have her confidence and experience built up slowly and carefully over the next few months, she is still very young, probably extremely green, it is a big ask to expect her to cope with so much in just a few weeks in her new home .

I would leave going totally alone on the road for now until you have developed her confidence in company, it may help to take her back to basics with some long reining so you can build her trust in you, it may take a while but once she can lead in company, in short bursts a little at a time, she should become better and start to be able to go out alone on the road, keep going where she is good as it will all help your relationship with her.

 

[Stinkypinkbubbles]

Thanks yeah sounds all sensible. I meant to add that she is still at the same yard she was brought up on as I have my other horses there too .

 

[Bilbo_Baggins]

I also found leading out on the road with another horse helped my youngster. I did a lot of groundwork with him and he is much more confident with me on the ground than on his back. Much better now of course, but I know if something comes along that he isn't so confident with I can hop off and stand with him or lead him past it and he is fine with that.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

If she was punished for doing anything new and reacting to it then its no wonder she's nervous of going out on her own.

I'd forget hacking on the roads, especially solo with her, for now, she still sounds very green.

I'd suggest you concentrate on school work only, getting her used to spooks such as bags (walk her around them in hand first) and cones etc., build up a little "horse agility/TREC course" for her and get her confident at dealing with things she may find spooky. Take her very very gently so she's not scared and learns to trust you as her herd leader to keep her safe.

When you feel the time is right you can then perhaps take her out on a quiet hack with her on the inside, with another schoolmaster horse to give her confidence. I think you are pushing her beyond where she is comfortable right now and you just might need to take her a little more gently, especially if she associates doing anything new with having a hiding.

If you are really feeling that you are struggling, then there's no shame in asking a professional to come alongside you and get you and this little mare really working together and hopefully going on to have a lot of fun.