Trail Riding

[theprancingpony]

ok, when i took my mare out on a trail a few days ago we didn't get very far before she spun and bolted and bucked and stuff. i think she might've spooked and took off and perhaps just got excited with the running. whatever it was, i'm not really sure where to go from here. should i lead her in hand on a trail, or get back on her and have someone lead us?

i think she might've spooked too because she wasn't focused on me, but i don't know how to keep her focus on me on the trail.

her previous owner said she was pretty good on the trails, and if she spooked she might do a half spin, but she never bucked before. i told the owner about my experience and she was pretty suprised.

any suggestions?