shying horse

by Ally
(Australia)

Hi I have a young mare that when i take out on trails or roads shy shies at things eg. kangaroos, Nothing at all sometimes. She usualy is just very tense when she's not shying and I have tried her with plastic bags, tarps, trust games etc. and shes fine with them all but she still shies! I know its not me because I'm not clenching the reins I always give her alot of rein and she usually shies when I'm not aware and am relaxed. What can I do Now?

Answer: Does she not flinch at all with the plastic bags and tarps? She has to be really ok with them, not just tolerate them. She needs to show no interest at all in these items. How long has she been riding trails? Maybe she just needs more experience. Keep going with the trust games and plastic bags. Giving your horse more confidence will undoubtedly stop most of her shying. Use your imagination when desensitizing, use balloons, umbrellas, fallen limbs with a lot of dead leaves on them. Old fallen logs or trees, anything that you can think of. The more you do, the better she will get.