Because she has no control over the situation, until she learns how to ride, and the horse is probably what -- 10 times her size.

She's just scared because those things are beastly in size :O I had a friend who is deathly afraid of horses, and another who loves and owns 3. About a year ago, horse-loving friend finally convinced her to ride a horse. It's just scary because they are so large.

By working on being calm. Her being afraid may be what is contributing to the horse being spooky. Horses can easily sense your mood and emotions. Have your daughter spend a lot of time off the horse, playing with it, leading it around, grooming it, taking walks with it, just getting to know it on a different level. If she can, learn to ride bareback to get a sense of what the horse really feels like when it's moving, even if she is just being lead around and feeling the horse under her. Practice her thinking things or imagining in her head what she wants the horse to do and then see if the horse will do it. For instance it was so amazing to me during a clinic with Tom Dorrance (the original horse whisperer) when a lady that was having such a hard time stopping her horse smoothing, just get it to stop all on it's own, just because Tom told her to mentally 'shut down', stop riding. Just that mental image and her horse stop perfectly lol! Tom Dorrance was a wonder. I'm sorry he was so old when he started his clinics because he had such a rich knowledge and love for horses. His fine work is being carried on by an old friend of his, Ray Hunt. If your daughter were to ever have the opportunity to attend anything with Ray Hunt in it, I highly recommend it. I have never been the same since my first time with Ray. http://www.tomdorrance.com/ http://www.rayhunt.com/ Another great source for getting to know a horse and being a friend with it is Pat Parelli. http://www.parelli.com/home.faces I love the "Natural Horsemanship Book" http://www.parelli.com/product.faces?catId=14

Some people are just not natural riders. You have to have a certain temperment to ride horses, and if you don't have it things can get difficult. On a horse, you create your own reality. I would bet even money that the reason her horse spooks is because she is so nervous. She will have an accident if she continues in this mindset because you simply cannot be afraid and be on top of a horse at the same time. At least not for long... Even the best horse will be badly affected by a timid rider. My only advice is to sit down and have a talk with her about her mindset. The next time she acts scared on a horse pull her off of it and let her know she needs to step up to the plate or she will not have the privledge of riding. Life is about overcoming obstacles and fears, and this is a good life lesson for her. Be her cheerleader and her guide. If she continues to be fearful even though she has never had a bad fall or seen someone take one, then she just shouldn't ride. Good luck to her!

LESSONS, LESSONS, LESSONS! She needs a kind, patient, knowledgeable instructor who not only knows horses, but knows KIDS. Fear is a challenge...most of us are afraid of the unknown, and when your horse spooks on occasion as almost any horse will, the rider (regardless of age) wants and needs to know what to do with split second timing for safety of both horse and rider! I usually start all new riders out with the horse on a long line and no bridle, bit or reins for the rider. I teach balance first...they can grab mane all they want! She just needs time and I would encourage the Instructor to please focus on how to control a horse. This is NOT to be mistaken for using abuse, strong armed tactics or attempting to play "tug-a-war" with a horse or pony that YOU WILL NOT WIN anyway. It is about showing the rider that despite our puny size and strength...we CAN still control the horse, by use of leverage, calming, and building a relationship so that our horse learns to TRUST US (we won't let any pain come to the horse, when the horse is afraid...) AND about exposing the horse to things that might prove to BE scary and rewarding the horse in ways the horse enjoys at the moment it allows seeing a scary thing NOT to spook them! When I'm doing a start up...I HAVE CONTROL of the horse, so it is relatively a safe situation. As the rider begins to take control of the horse...I start them with control by use of leg pressure, and shifting of their weight on the horse...then we work up to the reins and hands. Once the rider is able to use their hands correctly... you pretty much have things in the bag. One solid rule with horses...control the head...and the rest will follow! If you have control of your horse's head...the body can't very well take off or go anywhere...without the head leading it! I would make sure this little girl WANTS to have a horse and learn to ride and care for it...if it is not a passion of hers...she's not going to be motivated.

Hello. I used to have horses. I find that a horse can feel a change in the riders senses and reacts to a persons fears. It is called the 'mirroring instinct'. Even the most experienced rider will have a fear come up now and again while riding. This is normal and your daughter will get used to her horse and vice versa after awhile. Talk to your daughter and let her know that you are very proud of her equestrian skills and that it just takes alot of practice and patience for the rider and horse to get to know each other.

her horse is probably nervous from your daughter being nervous. it might be a good idea to let her get the feeling of the horse by riding bareback. Horses can also sense alot of emotions so that when your daughter is scared the horse will sense it and the horse will spook

i dont have kids but i did start riding before i could remember when i learned how to ride. i use to take my horse to a patch of good grass and let him eat while i sat on a chair. once he could care less about things going on around him, i would climb on top of him bareback with just a halter and lead. i wouldn't "ride" him, i would just sit on top of him petting him while he ate. then i would get bored and lay on him and turn around and get on and off and pick mud clumps or stickers off him. it's just bonding time. once he trusted me, i trusted him. u learn that every movement ur not expecting isn't that the horse is freaking out, sometimes its just a fly tickling his stomach or he sees a better peice of grass over there. every step isnt to run away but to get more comfortable. then we did everything together and mostly without a saddle.

I think the basic first thing to do is for your daughter to learn more about horses in general such as their behaviour and natural reactions and if she understands why the horse is doing something she can work

your daughter should have a proper trining for horse riding. by this she can have proper guidence and she will be satisfied that the horse is under the control of well trained guy.