Any advice for Filly Quarter horse?

Question

I just bought a 6 month old Filly. This is the first horse I have had since I was a child. My husband and his dad has worked with colts alot.
I would like to do as much as I can alone, because my husband works in the oil fields and gone 2 weeks at a time. We have worked with her about 4 hrs already and she is doing great.
I get as close to her as I can, and let her smell me and she is doing good with leading, she can use more work on that, but a few more hours and she will have no problems.
I`m not comfortable enough around her when she gets spooked and I know she picks up on this..
Any advice about working with her would be greatly appriaciated.

Have a blessed day!!

I will put this to vote, they are all great answers so its tough for me to chose.
My filly is doing great, she is going to be a great horse. I named her Cheyenne`s Pineappe Twist and I`ll call her Cheynie.
Her mothers name is Pineapple.

Thank you all for your advice

Answer 1

I'm working with a 6 month old AQHA colt right now and I can tell you what seems to help me some. Take your fillys lead in your left hand and start at her neck, start stroking and just talking to her, using your right hand, long strokes, all over her neck and down her withers and back. Go as far as she will allow you too, even down her legs if she allows. If she acts like she's getting nervous or if she shies away from you, pull her head toward you, and start back at a place she's comfortable allowing you to touch. Fillys seem to be more prone to kicking and colts are more prone to biting. If you're holding the lead, when you pull her head around to face you, you're moving the kicking end away from you. Do this on both sides because horses can't transfer knowledge from one side to the other. If you'll work on letting her get used to you handling any part of her, it will help in the quieting process, not only for her, but for you also. The more you handle her, the more you'll be able to read her body language and be able to stop her before she shies or gets afraid, always end your sessions on a good note, an area she does well with, it might be as simple as her just allowing you to touch her neck. Baby steps before big steps.

Answer 2

First off, loose the fear! Your right, she senses your apprehensions. She's looking to you for guidance and comfort. She's just a baby and barely weaned off her mother. (A bit early in my opinion) You have to win her trust and at the same time not let her run over you. Both figuratively and literally! Try to always be the one to leave her standing. If at all possible, never let her think she's won by letting her get her head up and spook you. Best is to take it slow. One day at a time. One session at a time. That's the beginning. There's lots more but first things first. Win her over and you'll have a friend and a great filly for life. Remember, it should be fun for both of you. Good luck and keep plugging along.

Answer 3

You should definetely not let her know youre scared of her. they can feel your fear, and they cant find what youre scared of so it frieks them out. I imagine she's pretty big, but inside she's just a baby still. You need to let her know youre not scared of her and you want to be her friend. I find the best way to do this is to hold her by the halter so that her nose is directly beneath your mouth and breath on her nose. Horses identify eachother by the smell of one anothers breath so i find it is alot esier to make friends with horses that way. If you need to know anything else contact [e-mail]. Good Luck