Some horses are afraid of things over their heads (cougars?). Perhaps she had
a bad experience or just has an innate fear. Actually it doesn't matter why
as much as how to change it. A real useful TTEAM principle is to chunk things
down to allow for success. So you can help her get used to things over her
head by starting small.
First, it is useful to teach her to lower her head on cue. Then if you can
gather a couple of friends, get them to stand on two bales of straw parallel
to one another. Place the bales wide enough apart that you can lead your horse
through comfortably and not have her side-step into them. The people can hold
a sheet of rolled-up plastic between them high enough that your mare will not
hit it with her head as she walks under. Lead her up to the plastic and ask
her to stop before going under. Let her stand quietly and look at it, then
lower her head and walk quietly under. If she rushes, do it again and use a
small bit of grain in a flat feeder. Let her have a mouth full before asking
her to lower her head and walk under the plastic. Make sure you are
breathing. You can also soften her neck (assuming it is tight) by rocking
the crest from side to side and working your way down from the poll to the
withers. Once she can do this comfortabaly, the plastic can be lowered
repeating the steps above.
If the plastic is too difficult for her, have the people hold two riding crops
like this: / \ or two rakes or whatever in an inverted v over her head. Just
keep making it easier for until she can walk under without fear, then make it
more difficult until the stall and trailer problem is gone.
Or you could start simply and offer her some grain and lower her head before
leading her into her stall to see if that helps. The grain gets her chewing
and breathing. Most horses hold their breath when afraid just as we do.
Hope that helps,
Jodi
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