Traffic proofing?

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Jericho

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Does anyone have experiences of having a traffic shy horse and what steps did you take to help the horse overcome its fear? Did it ever really become happy in all types of traffic or do you still have moments when the fear comes back?

A friend of mine is having problems with a loan horse she has taken on, owner didn't really hack much so the horse is quite nervous of large vans and lorries especially if they come up fast from behind. It's completely unfazed by farm machinery though, having lived on a farm all it's life! Unfortunately friends yard is ona busy road prior to access to off road riding so any advice appreciated as horse is perfect otherwise
 
A good riding companion is a must. As is the riders ability to anticipate where problems may occur.

I had a mare who was ok in traffic, but could not tolerate large vehicles, buses etc. She got better, but was never cured.
 
How old is said horse?

When i bought my horse, little did i know that he had been deemed dangerous in traffic, i onyl found out months later.

He was really spooky and nervy so i just kept on with it, long lining until be became desensitised - now broken to drive and happy in the heaviest of traffic .

So yes, it cane be done if young enough i think
 
Horse is 10 or 11 I think. Would you recommend putting the companion horse behind, in front or even on the outside of the nervous one?

Toffee monster - how did you go about desensitising? I have suggested she perhaps grazes the horse on a grass verge on the road starting off a distance away and gradually getting closer?
 
The companion should be on the outside where at all possible. And in front when you have to ride single file.
 
I took my silly young pony stallion, and stood him in a parking bay next to a very busy junction. I chatted to passers by as he danced the tarantella for a little while, then realised it was a waste of time and gradually settled. Repeated a couple of times over the course of a week or so.

Prior to that he used to jump onto the pavement when anything went past either close, fast or large. This was downright dangerous as he was pulling a cart!

Not had any problems since.
 
I grazed one of mine in a 15 acre field next to a road. The first week, he spent his time up in the far corner away from the road. A couple of weeks later, he was reaching through the fence to nibble the grass on the verge as huge lorries thundered past within inches!
 
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