pennyturner
Well-Known Member
Thought it might be useful if those of us who have successfully traffic-proofed our horses shared some of our habits. Sucking eggs for some, but hopefully food for thought for others. I'll start:
I graze my ponies at the side of the road after a hack as a 'treat'. Right by the road. They like getting a bite of better grass before they go away, and soon ignore even the big stuff passing fast and close.
If we pass something 'scary' the pony will be taken for a look, whether it is a bit of farm kit, or a dustbin lorry lifting bins into the back. If horse wants to stop and look at something, this is always OK. Take them through building sites, housing estates, car parks, farm yards. Everything.
If I have one who is worse than normal, I will take him to a strategically positioned spot by a very busy junction, and ask him to stand. We might be there for an hour, dancing the tarantella every time a trailer clanks by, but eventually he will get over himself.
Ride on as loose a rein as possible in traffic - the aim is to relax and de-sensitise, not to 'control', which just passes on your fear to the horse. Singing helps
I graze my ponies at the side of the road after a hack as a 'treat'. Right by the road. They like getting a bite of better grass before they go away, and soon ignore even the big stuff passing fast and close.
If we pass something 'scary' the pony will be taken for a look, whether it is a bit of farm kit, or a dustbin lorry lifting bins into the back. If horse wants to stop and look at something, this is always OK. Take them through building sites, housing estates, car parks, farm yards. Everything.
If I have one who is worse than normal, I will take him to a strategically positioned spot by a very busy junction, and ask him to stand. We might be there for an hour, dancing the tarantella every time a trailer clanks by, but eventually he will get over himself.
Ride on as loose a rein as possible in traffic - the aim is to relax and de-sensitise, not to 'control', which just passes on your fear to the horse. Singing helps