How to deal with this?

[cjt1701]

On Saturday whilst out hacking with my 14 year old daughter we had a VERY near miss with a speeding car. Car approaching from behind on a narrow country lane, loud exhaust, travelling very fast. He braked and skidded for over 30 yards before swerving round us and going on his merry way at breakneck speed! Both ponies completed un-fazed by commotion and never batted an eyelid. Anyway, its now in the hands of the Police.

The problem is that after reflecting about what could have happened my daughter is now refusing to even think about hacking out again. Whilst I appreciate that in an ideal world we would all hack out on bridleways etc and never set foot on the road again it is impossible round here.

How would you all suggest I help my daughter regain her confidence?

 

[PandorasJar]

Hi-viz to the hilt. (her and horse)
Body protector
Ride on open, or wider roads for more warning on idiot drivers.
Perhaps walk alongside for a little while

If possible contact local landowners and explain the situation and ask if there was any access through to a local bridlepath? My friend did this after her and horse were nearly taken out by a motorbike, farmer was very accommodating.
Are there local woods you could get a permit for?

Pan

 

[Cupcakes and Horses]

Its always the what ifs that get me that's probably whats going on in her head. I would take it slow. Me and my pony got hit when I was about 17 it didn't help he wasn't very good in big traffic it took me a while but by not pushing myself to far too quickly so I could stay relaxed we got there in the end if I was having a bad day id lead to bridleway because me being stressed set him off. Could she maybe start just walking up the rode and back for five minutes as a warm up then ride in the school or field and build up from there.

 

[rhino]

On Saturday whilst out hacking with my 14 year old daughter we had a VERY near miss with a speeding car. Car approaching from behind on a narrow country lane, loud exhaust, travelling very fast. He braked and skidded for over 30 yards before swerving round us and going on his merry way at breakneck speed! Both ponies completed un-fazed by commotion and never batted an eyelid. Anyway, its now in the hands of the Police.


How would you all suggest I help my daughter regain her confidence?

Give it time Personally I wouldn't make an issue about it at the moment, carry on schooling/having lessons if possible.

Walking alongside may help, or possibly getting her to take her riding and road safety test - won't help with idiot drivers sadly but may give her a little more confidence.

It takes time to process scary things sometimes; me and my old boy were involved in an accident years ago, driver not paying any attention and simply drove into us (wrote car off, horse walked away), and it took a while before either of us were completely happy hacking again.

 

[Cortez]

Well, as someone who wouldn't hack on our country lane for a king's ransom, I have the fullest of sympathy with your daughter. You cannot, in this day and age, expect car drivers to have the fainstest idea of how to drive with consideration for horses; it just isn't going to happen and will only continue to get worse as modern people drift further and further away from the natural world. Sad, but true.