Pony lacks confidence

[SA rider]

Hi, some advice would be really appreciated. I've had my mare four months or so now, she's 7 and had a bit of hard life before I got her. Won't go into it in detail but in Cyprus horses aren't always treated too well.
Her flatwork is coming on really well, she's an absolute pleasure to ride and picks things up quickly. However when I got her the former owners said "Yes she's got a great little jump..." So had a few goes at jumping with a good instructor watching and yes she jumped but with great reluctance and she felt to me to be very unhappy and stressed by it. She could jump high (almost too high as if she was desperate to get as far away from the poles as possible).
Since then I've tried to keep at it but lately as soon as I approach the smallest of cross poles she goes into a complete wild panic and bucks and swerves to the point where she almost falls over.
I'm not a massively experienced show jumper but I'm a confident and experienced rider so I don't feel the problem is a lack of will on my part.
She's not a wilful mare, so I really feel the problem is fear.
Can anyone reccomend to exercises that might help her get her confidence back. I really don't want to bully her, but really would like to get her to jump.
Can you suggest anything?

[Pink's lady]

Firstly, make sure her saddle fits. Jumping is one time a less than perfectly-fitted saddle shows.

It sounds like she might have been 'rapped' - where someone standing at the side lifts the poles as they go over so it knocks the horses legs. Its meant to make them more careful and jump a little higher, but usually it just destroys their confidence - they no-long feel they can judge heights and panic.

I'd take it right back to the beginning as if she's never jumped before. Spend ages working on going over just flat poles, both ridden and in hand. Do ground work with her, and a carrot everytime she steps over. Then in trot and canter. Don't move up until she's 110% happy. Then back to ground work with tiny jumps, and a carrot everytime. Make jumping as pleasurable as possible - a bit fuss and a reward - and she'll eventaully learn it's not frightening.

[SA rider]

yes that sounds the most sensible thing, will definitely get back to basics and she loves her treats so the carrot should have a very positive effect!