I made a mistake!

Rosie has been hanging out at home in the back paddock for most of the time since last fall.   I decided that I'd take her for a walk in my town, along my busy state highway today.  Looking back ... not the best decision.   SOOOO much traffic--as I thought--lots of boats and trucks pulling huge 5th wheel campers. Lots of motorcycles, some very loud and sounded like they had jake brakes on them.

In my defense, I honestly didn't think she would have a problem with things, since she was doing so well with traffic last fall.  But, it's been a long time since she's been out there, and today really was a crazy day here.  She started out fairly well but then kept getting more and more scared and wound up. She did a few airs above the ground and bigger spooks than she's ever done.   OMG!!!  Where did my solid, confident pony go????   She was shaking a couple of times--just so overwhelmed. They may be little horses, but they are still HORSES and get spooked.

There was constant traffic,  dogs barking, and someone using a nail gun --way too much and not the right day for a "remember this Rosie??" walk.   I'm SOOOO tired. Was out a lot longer than I expected to be and had to use more muscle than I usually do. If she had been a big horse, I'm sure she would have gotten away from me. One spook body slammed me and knocked me good--she is a massive little beast.

 I didn't want to just turn around and return to the barn while she was scared and have that be her last memory, so I found a place back off the road about 50 feet where she could graze and settle down. My neighbor also brought her some carrots to help her get her mind off her problems--that was great because my pocket treat stash was getting low. I give her treats here and there on our walks when she is calm and when a particularly scary vehicle is headed towards us--"tractor trailers taste yummy!"--again, only when she is behaving so I don't reward crazy behavior.

She calmed down some while we were back from the road, and I felt it was an OK time to bring her back to my house where we hung out in front of the house for a while longer continuing to watch the activity, walking back and forth, and grazing here and there--reinforcing "being out by the road and campers/motorcycles taste good."   She was pretty much back to normal by the time we headed back to the barn. It reminded me of our first highway walk last spring when she became very overwhelmed.  She is an sensitive, emotional little pony.  Everything she does is with her whole heart.  I guess I forgot about that when I came up with this crazy walk plan for today.

I learned my lesson.  It was not the best day to do this.  Next time I'll choose a quieter time, like a Sunday morning.  After she has a couple of good experiences again with quieter traffic days, then we can tackle the tougher stuff.  Live and learn, right?