New Horse Worries

[BigRed]

I have just bought a new horse (7 days), she was quite unsettled to begin with regards handling, but is now much better. I have ridden her 3 times. but each time she is getting a little more unsettled about traffic. I am taking her on a very quiet route where only about 2 miles is on the road with little traffic. The first time she was 100%, the 2nd she was flinching at on-coming traffic and the 3rd time she was actually stepping away from the traffic onto the verge. I don't want this to get out of hand. I am trying to be relaxed and give her a reassuring pat etc without making a big deal about it. She was sold as being really good in traffic and was when I tried her.

I am an experienced rider/owner but I admit to getting nervous around new horses, so I am trying not to pass this onto her.

I have no-one to hack with as I keep my horses at home. My husband has been out with my on his bike.

Any suggestions ?

 

[Cozrin]

That is a tricky one!
Is it the traffic coming towards her that is upsetting or the traffic coming from behind?
I would suggest maybe standing her still and patting her as the cars come past and be forecful with the drivers and ask them to slow right down or even stop for you so you can ride her past.
Maybe it is the new environment that is upsetting her? Can you avoid the road at all for a couple of weeks while you both get to know each other and she trusts you?

 

[Cozrin]

Duh sorry just realised you said it was oncoming traffic! I would definately try to stand her still. My horse lost her confidence when an oncoming coach drove through a puddle at speed and we ended up in a ditch! She did get her confidence back but it took time.
I do think wearing reflective stuff makes the drivers more aware and makes them slow down more. I dont know if Im being any help at all really, sorry!

 

[thinlizzy]

Maybe shes picking up on you being a bit nervous/and new surroundings .Can you have a instructer give instruction on road/lesson ?Sometimes we are doing things we dont realise maybe she needs longer to settle before hacking on roads ? Hope all works out well for you i would ditto were lots of high viz - i know its not flattering but very effective i wear it off road hacking to ,how do you ride on the road ?I ride in middle <apart from corners > this alone makes vehicles of all types slow down .Are you riding in a 30 mph speed limit ?

 

[BigRed]

I always wear hi-viz and it is a quiet and relatively slow road. I have no school, so it is my best and safest hack zone. 3/4 of it are off road. I will ask the drivers to slow down. She is a sweet horse and she was quite unsettled for a few days, ie did not want to be touched or caught, but we kept things calm and quiet and she is loads better now. I don't want to rush her because I don't want either of us to be upset.