Spooky Mare

Question
I have an 8 year old Paint mare. I got her almost 3 years ago. She goes Western. I only started riding her this passed summer, but only lightly and only at the walk.
The end of our field finishes near the ocean. She WILL NOT go anywhere near the end of the field, not even close! She's SO afraid, but I don't know why...
Also, I can't get her to trot. Not even on foot. No matter how fast I try to run, SHE WILL NOT TROT!
Somehow, my friend Alysha (who's an English rider) came over to give her a try and managed to put her in a trot a couple of times. I asked her how she did it, and she said just to push her a little more. Everytime I try to "push" her a little harder, even just a light tap/kick, she'll spook and gallop over back to the barn with me holding on for dear life.
I know that she is physically capable of a trot because whenever we put her out in the pasture, that's the first gait she does; A TROT!
I haven't given up on her, but I'm losing hope.
Do you have any suggestions, tips and/or techniques that could help out "Daisy" and myself?
Thanks!

Answer
Chantal,

Sounds like you need some lessons!  You don't know how to properly cue the mare, so she has no idea what you want.  You need to find someone who will give both of you lessons together so that they can watch both of you together.  A good, reputable trainer, please, not just someone else you know who rides.  You need someone who knows how to "teach"riding.  Daisy is definately is intimidating you and if all she has been is essentially a pet for 3 yrs. then she has very little respect for you as a rider.  

There is no substitute for learning to ride properly.  It's not something you are born knowing how to do or can just "pick up" as you go along.  I assume she was trained when you got her so she knows certain aids and you don't know how to give them to her.  So, she doesn't really know what you want, remember horses are not real bright, and is just taking advantage of you.  You don't kick a horse to ask it to trot, you squeeze with your legs.  See what I mean?  You need to learn the aids and how to properly ride and then she'll respond to you because you are talking her in a way she understands.

Until you can talk her language you will not get the results you want.  You don't want to ruin her because you don't know how to ride her.

Good luck, get some lessons!!!

Lyn