Sensitive but eager to please mare

[M_rides]

Hi all
I have recently started riding a Welsh D mare. Overall, she is lovely however I am finding riding her difficult at times:
She is very eager to please and is constantly thinking ahead at what you want her to do. Although a good trait, it’s been causing us more harm than good as it causes her to get panicky and very sensitive at the slightest thing. When she panics, she often canters on the spot or bolts off. She does respond well to brakes though as she never does it to be naughty, just because she’s wound herself up.
I have tried riding her quietly as possible as she is so sensitive, however I’ve now been told I’m too passive with her and it’s making things worse?
Jumping is also one of the main things I’d love to do with her, however it’s where she gets most panicky as she sees a fence and starts anticipating what’s going to happen and panicking, she seems to get a lot of adrenaline easily.
I’d love any advice from anyone who’s ridden anything similar to my mare and would have advice on how to ride a type like this or good exercises to eventually get us jumping without panics? Thanks

 

[Madali]

I have two Welsh D mares who are complete opposites but sensitive, clever and reactive. Both of whom I have owned since they were two.
without going into war and peace.
one responds well to giving her a treat when she gets anxious or as a reward. Look at jenko horsemanship. They can’t eat and use negative part of brain. It has been revolutionary for her. We then start again and she is very pleased with herself

The other one I just drop the reins and stretch her neck.
Both very successful happy horses.
Reading this back I sound like a nut. I’m not ?
good luck, when you get her onside you will have great fun as they are bold, fun and beautiful souls.

 

[M_rides]

I have two Welsh D mares who are complete opposites but sensitive, clever and reactive. Both of whom I have owned since they were two.
without going into war and peace.
one responds well to giving her a treat when she gets anxious or as a reward. Look at jenko horsemanship. They can’t eat and use negative part of brain. It has been revolutionary for her. We then start again and she is very pleased with herself

The other one I just drop the reins and stretch her neck.
Both very successful happy horses.
Reading this back I sound like a nut. I’m not ?
good luck, when you get her onside you will have great fun as they are bold, fun and beautiful souls.

thanks very much ? like you say, I think it will very much be about small steps to understanding her more and knowing what will help her, like with your two (who sound lovely!)
She definitely likes a good stretch and scratch so will try that more and also have a look at Jenko horsemanship

 

[paddi22]

I'll a little mare exactly the same, she spends her whole time trying to guess what the next move will be. with her it's really a case of changing how I schooled. I have to really keep her focussed for ever step and constantly be asking her a question and rewarding her. so it's never a case of trot of at A and canter at C, it's broken down into every corner, every stride, can she be softer? can she give flex? can she slow slightly? can she be more balanced? so constantly asking her something and making she she gets tons of praise. that stops her panicking as it gets keeps her focussed and the praise keeps her reassured.

the panicking at jumps is schooling. it's just tons of circling in front of jumps and schooling exercises to stop her assuming she has to get to a jump at high speed.

 

[J&S]

I owned a very sensitive pb Welsh mare. I took her to a series of Mary Wanless clinics with the local RC and she suggested using a neck strap. Use gentle and intermittent pressure on this to slow her down/listen. I found it helpful.