mare is scared of tractors

[aintgotnohay]

my aged grey mare is good on roads but yesterday whilst riding behind my friend and a tractor was coming down road my mare spun round and i managed to get her on someones driveway in front of a big wall.shall i ride 2 abreast next time im on the road when we see a tractor.other horse not scared of anything and just stands there why tractors go past.my mare okay otherwise but was in season.ive never been confronted with tractors before since ive had her.

 

[POLLDARK]

I have a gelding who is really scared by tractors, mind they are so big & with the forks up in front they do look like a predator (dinosaurs !!!! T Rex !!!!!11). Least tha's what he thinks. Other boy just doesn't care.

 

[Kat]

My friends horse is terrified of tractors, mine is fine so we try to find a gateway or layby and stand with him blocked in by my horse. Normally works well. If we have to pass one then we make sure he isn't left behind and sticks close behind us.

 

[Kat]

To add the important thing is that you stay calm and don't expect him to react. This seems to be the big difference between a calm horse and a scared one. Talk to him the whole time nice and loudly and scratch his withers and convince yourself he won't do anything.

 

[Kat]

You could also try stabling or turning out where she will see lots of tractors. We are on a working farm which helps a lot.

 

[JanetGeorge]

Tractoirs are scarey to most horses. All my youngsters are fed from a tractor so they don't care in the slightest - even though my tractor is quite small. When they meet a BIG tractor, they just anticipate it carrying MORE food!

But visiting mares inevitably are scared of the tractor until they have been here at least 3 weeks - and the odd one never gets used to it. Desensitisation is the only way - do you know a friendly farmer who would let you lad your horse around his yard when tractors are moving around - or put her in a field where tractors pass closely on a regular basis??