Bad in traffic

[mags]

Has anyone had any experience of improving horses that are bad in traffic.

My (hopefully) soon to arrvive new boy is bad with lorry's and tractors and im keen to start work on this asap.

[pip]

The best way is to stable your horse on a farm where it will see tractors and go past them all the time and see them coming and going. You might be able to ask a farmer if you can go to the yard (explain the problem) and let the horse see them.

The only other way is to go out with a very steady older horse that can give a good example.
Having said that, tractors are large noisy things and it is understandable that horses are a bit frightened of them, so wear all your hi-viz gear and, if you can, get lorries and tractors to slow and even stop for you.

[pip]

We had a pony once on loan that was nervous of lorries, trailers and such like having once been hit, by all things, a horsebox on the way to the local Indoor Show. Living here on the farm she did improve considerably, but I could never sell her as "quiet in all traffic" and when she was sold it was to a home where she didn;t have to go on any busy roads.

[poppyandbea]

is there a field you can turn him out in with a traffic proof horse pony on a farm or near a busy road (must have good fencing) so then he learns its not scarey without putting you in danger, or a stable on a farm so he can see things going on around him but knows he is in a safe place

[mags]

Luckily he will be at a place where there is a constant stream of traffic going round yard from hgv's to tractors so will at least get plenty of exposure, its even commen to have a tractor go through school when your riding

[milo]

my horse is nt good in heavy traffic either,and we live on a farm we have tractors etc here all the time and while he might get used to them hes still scared but just doesnt run away like he used to.

[bobble]

I take mine up to the main road and let them graze in a layby or road ending to start with while big traffic goes by then progress to making them watch it come by and then turn them so they hear it behind them. When thats going ok walk them in hand on the road while something comes by. If you can use a quiet road and get someone with a tractor to come by as a training exercise its idea. when you do go out eventually try and have a trafficproof companion. Its surprising how many horses are ok with traffic in company but not so happy on their own. I would say a traffic shy horse can only be improved, not cured - but even if you just improve him it would be better.