Help dealing with spooking on the ground

[Sjb1]

Hiya
I really need some tips on how to deal with a horse that spooks while I am on the ground.
My normally bombproof mare keeps spooking as i take her to stable to be groomed - she appears to be spooking at nothing.
So as I am novice i do not know how to deal with this - as it scared me and I don't know what to do - I just want to get her back to the field and leave her.
Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with a horse thats jumpy whilst on the lead rope.
She doesn't rear or anything - just keeps looking round like shes freaked out and panics a bit.
I don't know if i should keep them walking round or what?
Help please x

 

[Penny Less]

I have a cob that does the same thing every time I bring up to the yard I just ignore him and walk him on.

 

[Sjb1]

ah thanks! I have been walking her up and down the yard and she was fine yesterday - i'm just scared about what to do if they try to bolt off or anything - i really wish i was fearless haha

 

[JillA]

Try her on magnesium oxide for a couple of weeks to see whether it is magnesium deficiency That presents as excessive spooking, at things no reasonable horse could be expected to spook at.

 

[Sjb1]

Thank you i will try that x

 

[Pearlsasinger]

What are you feeding her on?

 

[Sjb1]

What are you feeding her on?

Just grass and the odd mint

 

[Dry Rot]

We de-spook. Didn't I see one of the better NH trainers doing that too on a video? Long stick, supermarket carrier bag on the end, and wave it about.

Start far enough away so it is noticed but doesn't cause upset and move closer every day. If your horse is food orientated, combining it with feeding speeds up the process.

I did this with one mare who was off the hill and inclined to be spooky. A few weeks down the line and I could go into her field and stroke/tap her all over with the stick and bag without even tying her up.

A wise old lady once told me, "Nothing can remain frightened forever". Best tip I ever heard. It is on the lines of what they do with police horses, though of course with them they do a lot more. You probably won't need to include thunder flashes and petrol bombs if the problem is just bringing in from the field!

 

[Tobiano]

Really agree with Dry Rot and the bag on a stick! Pretty sure you can find video of that on the internet if you google de-spooking a horse.

Also, so that you feel safe and have more confidence here is my advice (born of experience with my now 2Y-O). Wear a hat and gloves when working in hand. If you are not terrified of being pulverised it does make you a lot more effective (I really do know!!). Use a lunge line instead of a lead rope (if your horse takes off you can allow the line to play out a bit while you get your wits together and hang on to the end - then gently re-approach). If possible / necessary use a control headcollar - I swear by the Monty Roberts Dually. I would definitely advocate use of both of those if doing de-spooking too.

Using all of this you can begin by, if your mare is looking round anxiously, by just bringing her attention gently back to you, even if you don't have time to do a full blown de-spooking session. Good luck!