Is she scared or just naughty??

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Heidi_123

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I've owned my 15.2hh, 8 year old (broken at 6), TbxID mare for 18months and everything is perfect apart from when we hack out in traffic. Sometimes she'll go past anything and be in front no problem but then 2days later she plays up going past a car thats slowed right down. When I got her she was fine in traffic apart from tractors which she would go past when another horse went first and I kicked her on and talked to her. Then I came off out hacking and didn't go out for about 2 weeks and she started rearing when cars went past. Sometimes when she plays up I give her a firm kick and tell her she's naughty and then she's fine. When she plays up she just jumps round on the spot or runs into the middle of the road so I ride on the inside of another horse when it is busy. Is she really scared or just taking the biscuit?? I hack 2 to 3 times a week and I have no choice but to ride on the roads which are no busier than an English lane.
 
very difficult to say. i'd definitely ride out with a reliable friend for a while, until you get her over it... the roads just aren't the place for problems like that, especially if she is genuinely frightened... you only need 1 impatient idiot at the wrong time, obviously. just keep being calm and firm, talk to her, pat her when she's good, and she should get over it, hopefully.
 
You don't say if your fall was traffic related - could it have frightened her or you? I would agree just keep going out with a sensible friend. Do you have a competent friend who could take her out? It might help to get someone else's point of view.
 
Not scared, not taking the P... just questioning your abilities as leader. Sounds like she is lacking confidence after a bad patch. She is unsure, so she is taking control and doing what she thinks best, ie, you are telling her there is nothing to fear, she is not believing you, or not understanding.... so she designates herself leader and decides there IS something to worry about.

Nothing to get upset about, horses constantly question their riders abilities, and if they see a loophole, they exploit it. It is their survival instinct kicking in.

I would work this horse on the ground and re-establish the horses faith in me as a worthy leader. I would long line in the school and then long line passt trafic in a controled situation... ie, I would pass stationary cars with their engines running, then gat a mate to drive past slowly in a controled enviroment. Then ride past a mates car and have them pass you in a controled place.

Your horse will also draw confidence from other horses, so you do right to have another horse nanny yours in busy trafic.
 
Would it be worth you riding a traffic proof (as much as poss) horse out on a hack if you have access, to settle your nerves? My old Appy was awful in traffic, and I hadn't realised how much effect it had had on me until I got the new Appy, who is fine in traffic, I was frightened of the bus, but fortunately she ignored me being scared! Riding one that isn't worried allows you to recognise your 'fear' signals. I'm not sure that's clear, but I know what I mean!
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