Ridecamp: [RC] [RC] claustrophobic horse??

I am sure there are hundreds of ways to approach this, but here 
is what I would .  Outside, teach her to do something, on 
command, that forces her to stand still: this could
be standing with one hoof picked up, standing with her nose 
touching a target in from of her, or whatever: anything that 
requires standing still but is an simple, discrete act.  It is 
easier to reward a horse for doing something than to punish 
them for not doing something (standing still).  You could try 
clicker training for this part, but any method would do.  Once 
she is reliably doing the chosen behavior (picking up a 
foot/touching a target/whaever outside, move her 
closer 'inside', perhaps in the doorway, perhaps just outside...
wherever she starts to show signsa of 'claustrophobia'.  Ask
her to do 'her trick' for just a second or two, praise the 
daylights out of her, then take her outside again.  If she acts 
up, firmly but calmly tell her NO, and again ask for her trick. 
She should learn that A. being in that scary barn is just a 
short-tem thing, and she will get to go out again, and B.  good 
things (treats, praise) happen in there.  Slowly extend the 
amount of time spent doing 'her trick', praising and rewarding 
her for doing it (and standing more or less still), with period 
relaxation breaks outside.  Do a little each day, starting off 
with 10 - 15 minutes, gradually working up to longer periods, 
and deeper inside the barn. Try to quit on a good note (after 
she has stood as asked), even if it means cutting the session a 
bit short.  Doing too much, for too long, too fast usually
seems to lead in going back to square one... take it slowly.
Hopefully she will learn that if she does as asked, nothing bad 
will happen inside.  You might also try feeding her exclusively 
inside for awhile so she gets that psoitive association with 
being in the barn.

Good luck

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