Wimpy pony and traffic!

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vikkibeth

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My 5 year old really does not like traffic, he is just scared of it. I am not sure how much road work he had before I got him a few months a go but I have just started taking him out. In the field he is fantastic and only spooks when something goes very close to him but he just hates traffic and ends up crabbing taking up the whole road or just plain halting! I dont have anyone to ride out with me where I am at the moment and where I am taking him to get to any hacks you need to go on a fairly busy road. Would just leading him a few times help him or are there any other tricks? Also would you lead with tack or just head collar?

Thanks guys :D
 
Do you have a safe area or bit of road where you could get someone to drive past him very slowly even let him go past the car a few times first while it is static.
If they are really scared i find this can work as the person doing it will not be in a rush and you can control of the situation and increase the speed and nearness of car as the pony gets more confident.
I do this with youngsters and even do it with my lorry as it allows me to take things at their speed and makes them much better when they meet traffic out hacking when the time comes.
 
Is there a big area near you were you could ask your husband or friend to drive around. Lead your Horse using a bridle, make sure you have hat and gloves and use a lungeline too incase your Horse were to pull away.

Ask the driver to give you some room and drive large circles around you. Praise your Horse when he stands still. If you could find another Horse who is traffic proof you could stand with them. Once your Horse settles with the car. Ask the driver to turn the engine off and lead your Horse up to car, Ask the driver to give your Horse some treats.

Keep up the sessions with him and gradually ask the driver to move nearer and nearer to you. There is no rush, But I would be inclined to stay off the roads until your Horse is happy and settled in these sessions. Gradually you could ask the driver to drive straight, then reverse, drive stright, reverse etc. Ask your Horse to walk closer to the car and treat him. Then once he is fine with this, lead and ask the driver to overtake you slowly and widely. Perhaps ask driver to stop and give your Horse a treat. Cars = good things
 
try a little bit and often ...on a quiet road and as has been suggested get someone you know to drive past etc. If you could find someone with a calm horse to go with that would be so helpful. Hi Viz etc and gloves as suggested, and just make sure its a good experience. I think its a case of making the cars a regular feature and the norm...I find really working with your voice and going over even white lines etc on the road. Let them have a good look if its possible...mine hated those silly humps that appeared to slow traffic down but soon got use to them. But lead them if that is safer. Good luck just get someone to help you too ie to slow the rear cars down etc
 
Thank you guys for your help. Going to lead him out on Sunday and see how he is, then next time if I think he wasnt too bad get my husband to drive back and forth past me, will let you know how he behaves.:D
 
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