How to deal with a spooky horse

[winterbalto]

Hi everyone! At the barn that I ride at there is one horse named "Harley" who is the most spooky horse out of the lesson horses. She is a good horse but she is scared of everything! She gets jumpy around other horses, is scared of objects that don't move (like cones, barrels, etc.), is scared of tiny objects that do move (twigs, leaves, etc.), and of loud noises. I've seen her rear up because someone pushed down a cone and while I was on her in the arena she would do tiny jumps and jolt this and that way because of the things mentioned above. In fact, I think it is safe to say that she is the most jumpy horse I've ever encountered.

Well all this has made me terrified of her. Now, I am not usually scared of horses. Even though I am a novice I am willing to ride harder horses to improve my riding. I would rather ride a horse that has a tendency to buck, rear up, or run off than Harley. It's hard to explain but I guess that I like the idea that those types of horses have it planned out what to do rather than just being so scared and doing something nutty. Because of this I have been trying to avoid her even though I know that someday I will have to ride her again. My instructor told me that when she gets nervous I get nervous with her and then she goes "Well she's scared too so there must really be something to be scared about" and what I should do is act like she's being ridiculous. I know this is true but it's hard. Has anyone else had an experience like this and have any advice? I really have to conquer my fear with this.

~Nicole

[Grace O'Malley]

I tend to be a nervous rider, but I can sit a spook much more easily on a horse that doesn't feel nervous than on one who's tense all the time and seems to be looking for something to jump at :rolleyes:

My first instructor's arab is like that. Wonderful horse, impeccible manners and training. Scared of his own shadow, poor thing :p Worse yet, he and I wind each other up something awful, even if I don't consciously feel nervous--somehow he *knows* :o

Things that help:

Take time over warming up to walk around the arena in both directions (same things look different from the other side).

If there's something new in the arena that he wants to look at, let him investigate *once*, then get his attention back on work and keep it there.

Keep his little mind busy with as much complexity as you can manage--transitions, changes of direction, etc. Another friend of mine had her nervous arab doing piaffe out on a hack the other day! Of course they both know how to do that (I don't ;) ), but it was impressive to watch and it *did* take his mind off the monsters :p .

Breathe deeply and try to keep the tension out of your body. I used to think about making maximum surface area contact between my rear and the saddle :o . That way if he moves, you'll go with him.

At the very least, you'll develop even more appreciation for horses that aren't scared of every little thing :)

Good luck!

Grace

[MusicalGenius]

Well all this has made me terrified of her.

That could be your problem. I've delt with horses like that and as soon as you realize that they're just trying to fool you and you stop being scared they are perfect angels.

Next time you get on her be confident, don't let her antics intimidate you. Hope that helps:D .

[Standerdbred]

My paint filly is spooky too I take a garbage bag or feed bag and shake it over her and rub it over her legs and fling it around when they get better. RUB it around till they stand still then pet them when they stand still then do the other side :) Hope it helps:)

[kedwards]

Your instructor's advice is correct, of course. However, it probably doesn't do much good for someone to say "don't be nervous or she'll be worse." The problem still remains of <how> to go about feeling more confident.

Well, first I suppose you have to decide whether it would be wise to feel confident. In other words, if your fear weren't an issue, do you have the skills to deal with the behaviors that she engages in? If you really feel that the answer is no, then don't ride her, at least not until you are reasonably confident that you do.

If, however, you feel that you have the skills, but just need to get past the mental block, then you're in much better shape. First, remind yourself that you do have the skills. Imagine yourself following her movements as she shies, then redirecting her and sending her onward. As Grace mentioned, one of the best things you can do with a flighty horse is to keep them focused. Ask for frequent changes of directions, figures, transitions, and other exercises that will keep her mind on you. When she does show an alerting response to something, just stay relaxed but calmly send her forward to what you were working on. If there is something that is particularly troubling to her (for example, a corner of the arena that she won't go into), ride her by it at a safe distance, then circle her past it so that each time you circle you get closer. You can also try asking her to tip her head in away from the direction of a scary object as you pass by, while keeping a steady inside leg so that she continues to move forward rather than cutting in.

[winterbalto]

Thanks for everyone's advice.

Grace - I do have a tendency to stop breathing when I get nervous and maybe Harley's sensing it that way.

Kedwards- I believe that I have the skills to deal with this but I choke when the moment comes. The next time I ride her I'll focus on keeping confident and keeping her busy. Thanks!

~Nicole

[kedwards]

From your description, I thought it sounded like you did too, but I just wanted to hear you say it for yourself.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes!

[charls]

Spooky horses have been found to be deficient in magnesium- we have put 3 of ours on 'Equimins Serenity' which is high in magnesium, and they're like different horses! Much calmer and much less spoooky and flighty. Another pony on our yard used to always spook and stop at SJ/XC but after being on Serenity, they took her to 3 shows so far and she's gone double clear every time! Definitely reccommend the stuff:)

[horseygal90]

Agreeing with Grace here, its much easier to sit to any spooks if the horse and you are relaxed (but not too much, you could fall off if you are caught completly unawares!)

I'd say just be ready for anything, check ahead of you before you go round the corner that theres nothing obvious that she could spook at and be ready for the unexpected.

She could be spooking for a reason, maybe the magnesium, maybe something that happened when she was a foal, maybe its her nature.