Young Horse Phobias

[LaurenD]

Don't know if anyone has any suggestions?
I've been riding a young 14.2 cob for about 6 months now. She's 7. Her owners suspect she has been mistreated before they bought her as she had a phobia of the lunge whip and anything that moved. They had her for about 3 years now and she has made leaps and bounds. She is no longer afraid of the lunge whip and is an absolute angel being groomed however, she is VERY sensitive when being ridden and you cannot have your legs on her otherwise she shoots off. She also rushes in the trot, as If she is running from something.
Mounting her is also a problem. As soon as the rider goes round her left side she starts to back up. She hates the mounting block as well.
Any suggestions or ideas of how to overcome these fears would be very much appreciated! I understand these problems aren't going to be cured over night.
Many thanks!

 

[shortstuff99]

Repetition is often the way to help these horses. Horses need to have lots of 'good' experiences to replace 'bad' experiences. I wouldn't even ride I would take her to the mounting block move all round her lean over etc and praise and repeat many many times! She will learn nothing bad happens and it doesn't necessarily mean riding .

For the over sensitivity of the leg with these horses its best to actually always have the leg 'on' and vary the level of 'on'. As taking the leg all the way off and on again will give you the big reaction. Ironically most rushing horses are actually behind the leg so always make sure she is on your aids.

Hope that helps