Traffic - Help

[spudgun]

I have just purchased a young gelding he has only be broken a matter of months, (which I was not aware of when I purchased him). He has a temperament to die for, he is honest and a quick learner in the school, the only problem is he absolutely hates traffic of any sort, he spins around and backs up and tries to take off , it has now made me lose my confidence when out on the road, which in turn is scaring my boy. We have done lots of long reining on the roads he is not too bad but it is a totally different matter when riding. I have grown very attached to my lad and don't want to move him on to someone else - what are your views in not going out on any roads for the foreseeable future and just doing shows, ménage work and fun rides?
Should I sell him on or persevere any advice would be welcome

 

[webble]

Are there other sensible horses you could hack out with? Maybe two abreast where safe and with a helper on foot?

If you think it is something you can work through and it is his only vice I would keep trying with him.

Do you have the option to have parked cars or tractors in fields you could ride around or long rein around? Once he is used to them stationary and off maybe then try with the engine on then work up to them moving slowly

 

[dollymix]

I would not worry too much about roadwork for now. Stick to long-reining if he is ok with this.

How is he to ride if someone walks with you? If this is an option, find a kind friend to come out with you, plus another quiet, as-close-to-bombproof type you can find to keep him company.

If you move him to a field next to a busy road all the better.

How much roadwork do you have to do until off-road riding? If its not too far, you could try leading him down the road and then mounting him when you get to the tracks. If it is a genuine confidence thing with him, and not naughtiness, this might help to bring him on.

Maybe you could ask a more experienced rider to ride him on the road, whilst you either walk, or ride another with him?

 

[ibot]

yes I agree with what other people have said find a friend with a sensible horse to ride out with or ask maybe an instructor to have a go for you maybe just to give some confidence. Or see if you can swap horses with someone and see how they deal with him??
If he is young sometimes it takes trust and time and before you know it you will be the school master

 

[spudgun]

Thank you everyone, I really do not want to sell him as I feel the potential is enormous and I have become very attached to him I will continue with long reining and give him more time