How to fix fear of oncoming cars?

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shadowboy

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I have a lovely 3.5year old NF who is basically bombproof- no fear of anything at all including tractors/traffic/flappy things until last sunday. I took him out with a fried (on her 20year old super chilled boy) and a stupid car driver came down the road probably only at 30mph (the speed limit in the village) but it was a single road so he basically squeezed past and as the roads were wet, he sprayed my boy and the swoosh freeked him out. Anyway he bucked then spun and threw me off (my first fall off him/ oh and he has never bucked etc before this incident) I cut my lip and damaged my teeth as I faceplanted onto the road.

Anyway since then he has a real aversion to oncoming vehicles. Totally blase with things from behind - even 4x4's with rattly trailers. I have been long reining him out in the village to try to get him happier but he's still the same a week on. He basically spooks forward and tries to run off (but cant as he's in long reins) even if the car approaches slowly (akthough he will walk past it at a standstill without issues)

Will this improve? Am i making it worse by forcing him so soon after the incident? Would I be better off riding him 'boxed in' by 2/3 other riders? Anyone else gone through something similar who can give me hope that it will improve.

He is great in all other respects!
 
flying solo said:
Maybe try leading him out in hand?
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He sort of is (OH walks ahead to see if he can spot a car if there is a bend then drops back to walk by his head while it goes past) as it's prob too risky without someone with me while he's unsure like this. OH doesnt do anything but just stands by his head/extra hand just in case.
 
My mare used to hate on coming traffic and try and spin and run from it!! She is much better these days as she has spent a large amount of time hacking with a very traffic proof horse!! On roads we ride 2 abreast with the other horse taking the brunt of the traffic,, she has now learnt off the other horses behaviour that there is nothing to be worried about! She has always been fine with traffic from behind!!
 
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