Tips for a very spooky horse?

[macnamara]

My mare is six and very spooky, especially on the roads. She naps and does mini rears when I try and take her on the road. When she sees bags/sheep/water drains/trailers/tractors she either jumps onto the other side of the road, or stops dead and shivers.

If she has another horse infront of her on the road she is happy as larry and plods along quite relaxed. She'll just give the odd jump at a fast car or a tractor.

How can I get her to relax on the road by herself? It's quite a battle taking her on her own, she keeps her head high and tense, ears pricked completely foward. I know sooner or later and accident will happen!

 

[lhotse]

When you are following behind the other horse, she's letting the other horse go 'on point' so she is reacting to how the other horse behaves, without having to do any of the 'work'. Next time you go out in company, make her walk in front and take the lead, let the other horse come alongside for backup if needed, but she needs to be the one 'on point' When she is happy to lead, then get someone to come out on foot and do the same. Once she is happy with this, then you will probably find that she's confident out on her own.

 

[macnamara]

When you are following behind the other horse, she's letting the other horse go 'on point' so she is reacting to how the other horse behaves, without having to do any of the 'work'. Next time you go out in company, make her walk in front and take the lead, let the other horse come alongside for backup if needed, but she needs to be the one 'on point' When she is happy to lead, then get someone to come out on foot and do the same. Once she is happy with this, then you will probably find that she's confident out on her own.

Thanks I will try that. I've forced her to lead before and she is noticeably calmer when she has has a buddy behind her!