Extreme spooking... what would you have done?

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Winklepoker

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This morning I rode out and around the block, the opposite way to what we normally do and things were very very scary this way!

First part was fine, track, fields, path, gate, fields .... then came the track of death (apparently!!)

There are a lot of parked up machinery/skip full of rubbish/bags from hayledge bales/general rubbish and a bonfire (small amount of smoke- no flames)

Pony walks very nicely up the track and out of the blue stops, tries to spin (I dont allow it), runs backwards and then throws in a couple of threating rears (small). And breathe, calm resumes... pat pat, walk on..... Stop again, spin attempt, almighty rear but not unseating, stop... walk a few more steps towards scary stuff and I jumped off, led him up to everything, kicked bags/trailers/tyres/got manky sofa cushion out of skip for him to sniff/ etc!!!

walked back down the track a way and got back on, walked past everything until another scary patch- attempted another rear so I grabbed the left rein and span him in a v tight circle as I was absolutely NOT getting off again!! (not a fan of mounting from the ground :D ) We span and span until I had to use my leg to keep him moving and then stood, pat pat.. and walked on sensibly.

What would you have done differently? And how can I improve the scaredy cats confidence?

Thanks - Twix and manky activia yog for all!

On the up side, I was missing that 'death' feeling that my nutty mare used to give me so Im feeling back on form again now and utterly happy with my choice of new horse :D
 
Sounds like you did well.

I would do some more of this.

You say new horse.....how long have you had him?

Might still be getting to know you. You had a positive out come out of this which should boost his confidence you.

Can only get better.
 
Well I think you did everything just right

That is EXACTLY what J does but without the rearing, J bounces or leaps instead. I pretty much do what you did actually.

It's an insecurity thing. And I've found it's best to remain calm but very firm. Loosing ones temper does not help, as I found out once :p.

J can be really calm and ploddy and then suddenly see something and wham! Or he can be a bit spooky from leaving the yard. When he's in a spooky mood I normally trot or canter most of the way round, not ideal when it's mostly lanes but he doesn't spin when he's trotting.

J is much better then he was and I've had quite a few pleasant, calm solo hacks but everynow and again he reverts back to how he was when I first got him.

When he's really frightened, I get off and lead him past the cow, fence, or whatever is so scary as he works himself into a right panick otherwise. If I think he's being a bit of a baby I spin him back round, slap him and trot him past, then relax. Sometimes I let him stop and look and I pat him and tell him it's OK, it just depends.

Also I mix solo hacks with hacks in company to keep his confidence up. He's fine in company or with someone walking.

I think you did fine because at the end of the day he went past it and you avoided working him up more but you were firm.

Ah I love young horses :D :)
 
I'd do exactly what you did, again and again until he realises that he can h ave confidence in you, and that there is no way he is going to get away from facing his fear. Spinning works well, and the fact that he walked sensibly past after his tantrum shows that it was more about going home than any real fear.

Well done!
 
Thanks you all so much for the replies, BUG - Ive had him 11 weeks this weekend and the first 5 were non ridden as he had a huge trailer accident bringing him home :( so everything is still fairly new, but I like to crack on with things :D Impatient as ever!
Firewell, thanks for the words of encouragement, it helps knowing other peoples horses arent as perfect as you think in your head ;) Do you think some desensitising work with taurpaulins and things would be of benefit? or shall I just taking him hunting and make him obnoxiously confident like the last one ;) ;)

Thanks again
 
Ha ha! I haven't plucked up the courage to actually go hunting lol.
If F is anything like J he will stand on your piece of tarpaulin and sleep, jump it, think it's cool to pick it up and shake it. BUT see it poking out of a hedge and it becomes something oh so scary and terrifying lol.
 
I'm all for getting on with it!!! lol

I did alot of bomb proof work with my 4yr old TB, only problem now, is things she would have spooked at she now drags me too and sniffs it and tries to eat it. Less dangerous i suppose.
 
Sounds like you did perfectly.
Ive been told horses have such a thick membrane between the sides of their brain that information doesn't pass through. So when you teach something from the left having already taught it from the right, it appears to the horse to be complety new.
So basically just because it was OK one way there is zero reason to expect it to then be Ok from the other way.
 
I've read in a Kelly Marks book something which might help - using the sheepskin covers for the cheek pieces can help take away the sight of scary things from behind/ to the side, and then the horse can concentrate on spooky things in front instead.

Another suggestion is using one of those fly nets that cover the eyes - and if rearing is involved, to use tape over the top (above eyeline) as horses won't "go" somewhere that they can see. As in up. Or maybe use tape at the sides.

I would also use a powerful calmer :D, and a balance strap !! Hope that helps :)
 
shysmum said:
I've read in a Kelly Marks book something which might help - using the sheepskin covers for the cheek pieces can help take away the sight of scary things from behind/ to the side, and then the horse can concentrate on spooky things in front instead.

Another suggestion is using one of those fly nets that cover the eyes - and if rearing is involved, to use tape over the top (above eyeline) as horses won't "go" somewhere that they can see. As in up. Or maybe use tape at the sides.

I would also use a powerful calmer :D, and a balance strap !! Hope that helps :)
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Alternatively I could hack him out with a towel wrapped around his head and cotton wool in his ears :D hee hee!! I was hoping to overcome the problem not avoid it, but thanks for the suggestions... may reconsider if all else fails!
 
Winklepoker said:
On the up side, I was missing that 'death' feeling that my nutty mare used to give me so Im feeling back on form again now and utterly happy with my choice of new horse :D
Click to expand...

Oh I know that feeling. My TBs behaviour was sometimes so appauling I'd be left feeling actually sick and faint.

Perhaps our horses could star in a TV programme. 'Extreme Spooking' ha ha.
 
Oh yes know this feeling well. I would say the only thing I wouldn;t have done would be the spinning, but then my evil pony has not yet progressed to proper rears so that'd be why!

I tend to choose getting off and leading past as many of our hacks are along a rather high riverbank and evil pony will back down them which I hate!!
 
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