Storm and the giant puddle!

[Trewsers]

Hi there, help please!!! Storm won't go through puddles - she's worse with really giant ones, but now won't even go through little ones. I've tried everything - I've even splashed about in them saying "look they're only puddles" and wetting myself through (I'll try anything :p ) I've tried coaxing her - doesn't work. Tried being assertive - doesn't work. Oh dear. Its going to be a long winter when it comes.... She'll do anything not to go through them, to the point of injuring herself and me - last week she side stepped a puddle which resulted in her knocking herself against a gate and then spooking because of this and squashing me :eek: ! Any suggestions??????!

[nutkin]

do you have another horse that likes water who could maybe give her a lead through it. It would probably work best if it is a horse she knows well and trusts as a leader in her herd(assuming she lives with other horsey company)

[Trewsers]

Thats a good idea, although she is the leader of the herd that she lives with! I think she may follow OH's gelding though - as we school / hack together - if I can just get her to follow him next time there are large puddles....(like tonight probably :p ) I often wonder if she's had an accident with water in her past life? she has a scar on her leg that we don't know much about - just seems funny that she is sooo scared of water. Apparently, she lived out 24/7 - so there could have been ditches / streams in her field.

[nutkin]

It is possible that something has happened to her to frighten her but alot of horses are frightened of water because they are unsure of how deep it is as they can not see the ground. Therefore a horse has to have a big level of trust in its rider to willingly walk through any water.

[Trewsers]

Yes, you're right, they do have to have trust - this could be the problem at the moment with the puddles, we're still bonding - (we've only been together 3 months :D ) so although she's always pleased to see me (well I think so anyway) and she sees me as "mum" now, she might still have some trust issues. I'll keep on working at it........ :D