My mares scared of other horses :S

[shell21]

Just wondering if anybody can help??
I have just bought a beautiful traditional coloured mare, 5yr old, very chunky & would do fab in a show ring. I'm currently schooling her up and she's doing fab, although when i'm schooling her with other horses in the arena she's constantly got one eye on them an looses all concentration, if they come near her she panics, although she doesn't do anything bad she just tenses up & panics on the spot. If another horse is jumping at the same time she's even worse when they take off for the jump :S

My plan was to just ride her through it but wondering if anybody has had the same problem ??

[welshmare]

We did with our stallion last year. He got really upset if anything came towards him. It just took time getting him used to others working in the same area then gradually bringing them closer. Don't rush her otherwise it will become a major issue, once she is used to another pony in the arena gradually get closer, lots of changes of direction to keep her focused and she should get used to working with others. Maybe she has always been on her own till now so it is a big step seeing others especially if they come towards her. Good luck

[adam321pink]

I rode a horse like this and her owner took the decision to avoid riding with others which I just think made her worse! I agree I would take it slowly but get her as used to riding with others as possible. Good luck with her x

[carrie17491]

I would try and understand why it is she is doing it, maybe she has been bullied by others as a foal, had a trauma or is just generally weary of her personal space.

Why not try hacking her out with a partner for a few weeks to reassure her that when another horse is close by she isn't in trouble. Horses are flight animals and take off when scared so she is obviously panicking about something, nor do they forget. She sounds like she has had some trauma at some point and associates this with every time another horse is near. What is she like in the field? Does she have any friends or is she singled out?

How long has she been on the yard? She may need some more time to settle - some horses do.

I would definitely hack out in company for a good 6 weeks before schooling in company though. x

[Deleted]

My bay mare is the same. She is fine if everyone is going in the same direction, as in the showring - but warm up areas for dressage are terrifying to her (and me) as she spins and rears in fear, when a horse gallops up towards her, coming the opposite way to her. I am going to do lots of warm up outiside the warmup area, then pop in any time there are only a few in there. Back protector and hunting breast strap on! Hopefully she will get better with more outings...........?

[thomasthetank]

my ponies the same and im probably at the same stage as you, ive been hacking her out with another horse and then getting another pony to work in the menage with me but let me follow them (not to close) and she seems to be getting better. took her to her first show the other day and after doing that she was still tense but she was a lot better than a few weeks ago! time and experience will help! they just need reassurance

[shn8]

is it only when being riden, e.g is she fine in the feild with them?

[LMSmith]

My mare used to be awful! She used to try and kick anything that came within a few foot of her, it was a nightmare at a show! It just took time and a little patience with others coming in the school etc.

[flo1]

My daughter's Sec C mare was exactly the same when she was ridden in an arena (especially when showing) with other horses.
The first show we took her to was in an indoor arena and we chose it because it was a small 'pre-season' show....except when she got in the ring it was packed , poor Bonny (the mare) was petrified, shrinking back or stopping dead whenever she was cut up in the go round.
It did take several outings but she did gain confidence over the season and did very well.
My advice would be to choose smaller shows at first, once in the ring keep out of the way of 'ring hoggers' and give your mare plenty of space.
Don't be afraid of telling other riders to back off if they are deliberately cutting you up or trying to force you into corners. Don't let their rudeness frighten your mare
You could even tie a red ribbon in her tail, if people think she may kick they will giver her more space instead of crowding her.

Good Luck

[shell21]

Thanks everybody for your answer's, its really helpful. She's fine in the field with other horses but weary of them when I lead or ride her. Ive been doing lots of hacking out side by side with her but in the arena shes fine with some horses and not with others. I do think she has had a good beating off another horse or an accident of some sort, bless her

I think I will carry on with what you've all said and if I do venture out to a local quiet show I will put a red ribbon on her for the first few time.
Thanks again x