How can i build my horse's confidence?

Question

I have a horse that is absolutly perfect when you take her into the ring. I believe this is because her field is right by it and she is worked in it almost everyday. My barn has miles of trails and as soon as i begin walking her towards the trails she freaks out. I take calm deep breaths and tell her everything is going to be ok. I walk slowly but firmly. She still flips out, and turns in circles back to the barn, and starts stopping and going and breathing heavy. I stay calm and walk forward. I hit her with the crop, but try not to, as i dont like hitting her. I knew she would be better if she went with other horses so i go on trails with other horses. She is fine!!! so i thought now she went with other horses she would feel comfortable going by herself. She still acts the same, or even worse. HELP, SOS, i want a trail horse!!!!

Answer 1

try a little bit everyday, don't even get all ready for a real trail ride b'c you will not get that far on the first try. start out a little bit everyday. Stop her when she freaks out, let her take in the new sence then urge her on without the crop and STOP! stop everyday on a good note, even if it is just a step or two then get off and give her a treat or two and do it every day

Answer 2

why don't you get off the saddle and lead her into the woods?

and have someone else with another horse lead doing the same thing?

it might work, has for me!

***EDIT hmmmm...well maybe she needs more desensitizing

bring weird and random objects into the arena and just get her used to weird objects touching her and being around her

like trash bags, sticks, tin cans, and any random bright and colorful object she might have to go WAY back to basic gorundwokring to become a trusty trail horse

Answer 3

join up

look up monty roberts on the internet and go to his site and it will tell u how or get his book The Man who listens to horses or Horse sense for people

Answer 4

Unfortunately, she has won in the battle to go out on trails by herself. Its only going to get worse if you keep giving up and turning home when she puts up a fuss. If you dont think you are skilled enough to work it out, see if a friend will take her out and work her through it, even if it takes an hour and shes upset and sweating, you have to get her to do it or its going to escalate into some really bad behavior. Good luck

Answer 5

You have let her become the alpha. She decides she doesn't want to be away from the barn, and you let her. Do NOT let her move toward the barn when she starts acting up. Turn her in tight circles by pulling the rein towards your hip (I ride western -- this may be different if you ride english) in both directions for a few turns. This teaches her that you are in control of where her feet go -- YOU are the alpha. If she is still acting up, keep her turning in circles, and stop her to face the barn. Let her look at it until her breathing evens out. Once she's calmed down, do a 180 turn and go towards the trails. If she freaks out, repeat. She needs to learn that you control her movements, and that you are the alpha. Remember: NEVER hit your horse -- it accomplishes NOTHING.

EDIT in response to the answer above me:

Never, absolutely NEVER allow her to go back to the barn after a fit. Go in a parallel direction to the barn, if you must, but do NOT allow her to go towards the barn. That is rewarding her for her bad behavior. Now, if she is being extraordinarily good, and just plodding along down the trail, you could make a loop and head home as a reward, but never let her get her way for a bad behavior, or you'll cement it.