Georgie is scared of everything

[ponies87]

hi, I just got my horse a couple of months ago. He's a great horse, but he spooks all the time at everything. I've worked a lot on keeping my breath even and not tensing up, but it hasn't helped.
Is there some things I can do to help him not get so frightened or just keep riding through it? He was a show horse hunter before I got him so he's been around and should be used to things.

I think a lot of it has to do with he's not challenged much, I'm taking it easy with him, he hasn't been worked in over a year.

[BackintheSaddle]

You could do some Parelli-style ground work with him, playing the "friendly game" with lots of different objects at the end of a pole (about 4 ft). You can use a plastic grocery bag (very scary!) and let him get used to it near his feet, his face etc. With you on the ground, he might feel more comfortable and come to trust that you won't let anything scary hurt him. You could also try leading him over things on the ground that have texture or make noise, like the trailer bed, or a piece of plastic. If he will let you back him onto something like that (especially something that makes noise) he'll really trust you. My mum's horse is very young and hot-blooded, and this sort of thing has helped him quiet down a lot. (although not enough for me - he scares me blind!)