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If I were you, I would first look at the tack I was using on the horse to 
make absolutely sure that it fits her.  Have someone who really knows what 
their doing, if you are unsure that you can make the determination yourself.  
This means NOT a saddle fitting clinic where the fitter is associated with 
any saddle or pad company.  Check her bit.  What was she used to before you 
got her?  Are you using the same thing on her?  If at all possible, go back 
to the simplest snaffle that will work on her.  I like a loose ring snaffle, 
and I really like the Comfort Myler snaffle bits for a horse that is scared 
of a bit.  

Once you've determined that all the tack fits, and that she isn't in pain 
from it, have a real equine dentist (preferably one who is a vet) look at her 
teeth.  She may have teeth problems causing her pain.  Get anything done that 
she needs.

Make sure she's not getting too much grain.  I figure anything beyond a pound 
a day for a horse that's not in hard work is too much, but you might want to 
withdraw ALL grain for a while and see if that makes a difference in her 
attitude.  If she has trouble keeping weight on, use a fat and/or beet pulp 
supplement instead of grain.  Is she on pasture for at least a couple hours a 
day?  That often improves the overall attitude.  The more pasture time the 
better, unless she tends to colic or founder.  

Now for the important part, which someone has already mentioned.  Sometimes 
it takes a while to form a trusting partnership with a new horse.  I think 
the fact that she is so reactive says that either she is in pain, or afraid 
she will be.  If you are used to riding easier-going horses, are your aids 
too sharp or too strong for her?  

Again, if she were my horse, I would probably go right back to basic ground 
work with her, working through each step in the starting-under-saddle 
process.  Some of the steps may go really fast, like 1 or 2 repeats.  Other 
things may take longer, and that is probably where the holes in her training 
are.  Those are the things that you will need to work on until she is 
comfortable with your way of doing things, and responsive without being 
over-reactive.

It sounds to me like she is a very insecure horse, and possibly you are going 
faster than she can handle.  jeri

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