Oversensitive or testing me out? youngster

[lucky7]

I have a 3yr old who seems very sensitive to flys and generally around her whithers (she shakes and twitches if anything lands on her/mane touches her/reins etc) and she gets really hacked off and stomps her feet and whips round with her teeth at the flies.
Been getting on quite well, lots of groundwork in place, long reins lovely, just been riding her in walk and trot.
However i went down today did a bit of long reining - the flies where out cue lots of sensitive shaking and tail swishing. Got on her started to walk then she kept stopping, wouldnt go forward, voice leg etc didnt seem to work. Then she moved a few steps, quickened up and proceded to do about 3 quite big bucks - first time ever shes done this., Got off to check it wasnt flies as she was doing the quivering thing before she booked. Couldnt see any, lead her back to the block got on and same again, lots of stopping, got her going in a walk and then she started bucking again and went to run!! again i got off her as she had planted her feet, checked her over and there where a few flies but no horse flies
I decided not to tempt fate by getting on her again especially as i was on my own did a bit of inhand work which she did straight away, seemed very relaxed and genuinely well behaved.
Now could this just be the flies? or more like her testing me out? She can be very bolshy on the ground but we have now passed this stage and get total respect now.
TBH it has unnerved me a bit and dont want to push her/my limits and would rather get someone in to help out.
But, if it is just a case of flies then i can cope!!

Advice/help and experiences please.

 

[Bug2007]

My 4yr old hates the flies and is a right pain if they are around.

I'd say she just doesn't like flies but she'll learn quickly that you have then got off her twice, and may then start using it as a cheeky evaison.

Get some fly ears for her and make sure she is covered in spray and feed garlic to help keep the flies away.

Try to ride her through it and help to desensitise her to the flies. Try not to put on fly rugs in the field etc....i know it's horrible watching them swish but it helps her get used to them.

 

[AshTay]

I can see why you did it but it probably wasn't the best idea to get off when she played up as each time she played up, you got off, now she knows that to make you get off she just needs to play up...!

ETA: sorry, that wasn't very helpful. Agree it's a good idea to get her saddle checked to rule that out. If she was trying it on and using the flies as an excuse then I'd suggest you get on her again, if she bucks, don't make a big deal just sit there or ask her to walk on. But do it when you have some experienced help on hand.

 

[CBFan]

With her being a youngster I would get her saddle fit checked as soon as possible just to eliminate that as a cause of any discomfort. It seems odd that she wasn't willing to work with you on her back but as soon as you were off, she co-operated with you and worked well.

As sugested, feed garlic and use flyspray to help deter the beasties!

 

[lucky7]

With her being a youngster I would get her saddle fit checked as soon as possible just to eliminate that as a cause of any discomfort. It seems odd that she wasn't willing to work with you on her back but as soon as you were off, she co-operated with you and worked well.

Yes thats what i thought - saddle is next on the list.

 

[CBFan]

Also worth Checking teeth... Had dentist out to my boy yesterday who explained that their teeth can get sharp quite quickly at this age (3.5) and that they lose milk teeth at 2 and 3 and a half which can cause a bit of discomfort... also wolf teeth can become an issue once bitted! great fun having a youngster isn't it!! At least once you have eliminated pain, you can just crack on!