horse scared of mirrors at new yard!

[kombikids]

Has anyone had any experiance of their horse being scared of mirrors in an indoor school - as soon as she sees herself she totally freaks out - sounds quite funny but it isnt when you are jumping across the school !! Has anyone any good ideas - i was thinking of quietly lunging her in there for a week and seeing how it goes. Am a little bit disapointed as just moved her there to get more facilities and shes too scared to do anything!!! Always get knowledgable advice on here so thanks!

 

[Daisychain]

She will be fine, just give her time to settle in. I moved my youngster to another yard to break in and she wouldnt come out of the barn for 3/4 of an hour! The lunging sounds like a good idea.

 

[kombikids]

thanks you are right - just got a little over enthusiastic!
just thought probably was the sight of me with a post rugby evening hangover thats scared her in the mirror!!!

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Give her time to get used to them. Ride her slowly up to them (as near as she'll comfortably go) and stay calm with her, allowing her to get closer to the mirrors in her own time. If she's really scared just work in the middle of the school to start with, gradually going closer to the mirrors and staying at a slow pace (so she can't run off and scare herself further). I'm not sure I'd lunge her as she may run you over or get tangled up in the line if she gets scared. You could turn her out in there and let her investigate and get used to the mirrors on her own. And when it comes to riding her, if you feel you won't be calm enough to help her then find someone who is. Most horses get used to mirrors after not very long so long as you can reassure her and not make a big issue out of it.

 

[Shilasdair]

Try to let her work it out in her own time...lead her in hand to look at mirrors til she works out that it's her, and just stand quietly holding her lead rope next to it til she's done.
She'll be fine.
Unless she's really ugly...when depression might set in.
S