is she just taking the 'mick'

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swampdonkey

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Hi got my new horse, 9 year old mare, 4 weeks ago. She was mainly hunted but had done some schooling. My problem is this in the school she shy's at nearly every corner and its not getting any better. Tried everything I can think of, standing facing corner until she relax's then does exactly the same next time round, tried just ignoring it getting her in as close as I can, she is a bit wooden, the same next time round, tried smacking her and just seemed to make it a big issue, exactly the same next time round. Don't know what else to try. She isn't spooky out hacking. Don't know if she is really wary still or avoiding work. At a loss as to what to try next, would love to start doing a little basic dressage, so so frustrated. Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
Try not letting her look at that corner at all. My horse used to spook in a certain corner of the arena with me and my trainer made me ride 10m circles in walk and trot in that corner with heaps of inside leg and inside bend. Pushing her gradually closer to the corner on each lap of the circle. She soon stopped and now if she goes to spook anywhere, I just bend her away and push her over with my inside leg and it's easy to stop her. Hope that helps. x
 
she will bend in the middle of the school, just doesn't like the corners, her head shoots up and really looking, heart doesn't race though like a true spook. In hand she doesn't look at any corners.
 
May sound stupid and be really obvious (sorry if so) but have you checked there actually isn't something scary or just that she's genuinely not happy about?

Not knowing your school but i used to be at a yard with connifers all round 2 sides and my pony at the time was awful going past that side then i realized there was something (oddly cant remember what!) behind the trees
 
Hack her out lots - get used to her - perhaps try lunging or long reining in the school - possibly trying it on - but maybe does not understand either?
 
We've got 2 schools and they are quite busy to look at if you know what I mean but we have been in there almost every day, either in hand or ridden. Taken her to investigate every inch of both schools, she has grazed in hand all around them both and doesn't worry in hand.
 
my horse does this sometimes, but funnily enough not in a lesson when he's working really hard and not when i'm lunging him so he's taking the p!!
i try block him with my rein then leg yeild him back over to the track, maybe not so easy depending on her level of schooling or i just work him very hard in the middle of the school until he's ready to behave!!
 
TBH, I woudl ignore everything she does, just continue on as if nothing has happened. Do not look at the corners, turn your shoulders, head and hips to the inside, and make sure thats where she's looking too. If she spooks, don't make a big deal no smacks or shouts etc, just ignore it and carry on. She WILL get bored of it before you do.

Some horses (like my sisters) just like a little drama in their lives I think and will create things in their brain to spook at :)

She may also be testing you a little too as you have just got her. :)
 
thank you for all your replies. Will keep trying, will try leg yielding but she is really strong and stubbern. doesn't yield to pressure easily on the ground or ridden. Am having lessons so hopefully will help. I have got forever.
 
it's quite unusual for a horse not to move away from pressure, sorry if you've said already but have you had her back checked? My little girl doesn't show pain in the normal way, she will put up with alot to the point one bad fitting saddle wasn't noticed (fitted by approved and reccomended saddler) until after one 3 hr ride when she dropped lots of weight. Just a thought.

I would work her where she's happy for now until you are used to her then gradually start increasing your circles until you get there. Good luck!
 
We had one like this. We tried everything. We were sure it was just taking the mick but couldn't stop it doing it. Changed its feed (both supposedly non-heating mixes) and bingo she's stopped doing it.
 
New horse, new problems! Glad you are having regular lessons. Tell your instructor exactly what she is doing, perhaps he/ she might get onboard? 4 weeks in, really early days. Some work on the lunge if you are competent (or ask your instructor) would be really beneficial. You'll get there, just be patient and consistent! xx
 
Aswell as other suggestion you could also try turning her out in the school, maybe feeding her hay from corners, just to get associated and relaxed without the added pressure of 'work'
 
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