Strange stance when scared

[CarolineR]

Has anybody experienced this.

My Charlie when startled or spooked by something will do a very strange thing that i have never seen a horse to before.

Instead of bolting, bucking, rearing, spinning and running away, he croutches down with his front legs far out in front of him, with his bum in the air, with head held up.

Like a dog whose trying to invoke play or is very excited.

Is this the same thing, I have not heard of a horse doing this before, would appreciate some comments.

I should get some photos of him doing this as its quite comical. He'll stay there for a bit, then stand up and be a bit jumpy, but nothing else.

[Miriam]

Rhi tends to sprawl her legs apart. Never noticed a bum in the air though.

[Lgd]

If Peri is spooked by something she almost crouches underneath you - gives you a shock when your horse shrinks about 6 inches in 1 second leaving you to catch up.

[Nickie]

Bren will bolt or spread his legs and stay rooted to the spot - but the latter is only if he is genuinely scared. He bolts if it is a sudden noise, or a big vehicle or if he is pretending that something scared him - but if it is really scary he stays put and turns white with sweat - only seen him do this once though. Thankfully.

I never noticed if his bum stuck in the air though - sorry.

N