How do you react when your horses spook (at things they have seen before)?

CanteringCarrot

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I am quite shocked at how many people consider regular spinning to be ok. The odd one, I understand. But to me regularly spinning at something every time the horse spooks is in the same category as bucking and rearing- an unacceptable behaviour.

I’m not saying a smack is the way forward in this situation for every horse btw by any means, there are many ways to discipline or make the behavior obviously unwanted, but I certainly wouldn’t be laughing and patting the horse.

I agree with you.

Just because I posted that I laugh and roll my eyes does NOT mean I take spinning lightly. I am mostly laughing at when he's standing in the aisle and does does exaggerated snort and neck arch when someone rolls up a hose or knocks over a bucket.

Or jumps a wee bit sideways because the lights just came on and now there is a shadow there!

My horse did spin when he was younger. He was also behind my leg. I fixed that and was strict, calm, and persistent with fixing his spinning. Therefore, it's no longer a thing ?‍♀️
 

Michen

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I agree with you.

Just because I posted that I laugh and roll my eyes does NOT mean I take spinning lightly. I am mostly laughing at when he's standing in the aisle and does does exaggerated snort and neck arch when someone rolls up a hose or knocks over a bucket.

Or jumps a wee bit sideways because the lights just came on and now there is a shadow there!

My horse did spin when he was younger. He was also behind my leg. I fixed that and was strict, calm, and persistent with fixing his spinning. Therefore, it's no longer a thing ?‍♀️

Sorry, I assumed given the OP was referencing whether to smack or not when her horse spins that this is the behaviour people are referencing in their responses.

Agree, it’s easy to think as well with a buzzy horse that they are in front of your leg. That was my first mistake with young Boggle ☺️
 

Bambelina

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I just ignore it, I’d do a you by the sounds of it!
My horse spooks and we just carry on, I purposely don’t make a deal of it. I think they are very genuine “oh shit” reactions and a bit unfair to smack for.
My old horse was used to being walloped for every little look and he was a nervous wreck to ride at first.
Things, including birds flying up suddenly make me jump myself!

Really agree with this way of thinking! Some things I ‘spook’ at too- like spiders for example. If someone smacked me every time I freaked out whenever I saw one I’d be black and blue.
I too just carry on as we were when my mare spooks, forwards is the direction we aim for!
 

conniegirl

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I am quite shocked at how many people consider regular spinning to be ok. The odd one, I understand. But to me regularly spinning at something every time the horse spooks is in the same category as bucking and rearing- an unacceptable behaviour.

I’m not saying a smack is the way forward in this situation for every horse btw by any means, there are many ways to discipline or make the behavio7r obviously unwanted, but I certainly wouldn’t be laughing and patting the horse.
I do not take spinning lightly, my lad doesn’t spin!
When he does spook he stops dead and snorts- stopping and snorting will get him sworn at and possibly a boot to the ribs to send him on. That is the behaviour i was talking about
 

SussexbytheXmasTree

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I am quite shocked at how many people consider regular spinning to be ok. The odd one, I understand. But to me regularly spinning at something every time the horse spooks is in the same category as bucking and rearing- an unacceptable behaviour.

I’m not saying a smack is the way forward in this situation for every horse btw by any means, there are many ways to discipline or make the behavio7r obviously unwanted, but I certainly wouldn’t be laughing and patting the horse.

You’re welcome to ride my Dutch warm blood who was a stallion until he was 4/5 and see how he responds to a good wallop. Personally having given him the odd smack and seen his response to that I’m not brave enough. I’m in for the long term and he’s vastly improved in confidence since I first had him. He was an SJ with little hacking experience.

His last two spins have been due to mountain bikers hurtling downhill around a blind bend. One of which ended up in a hedge. I do not blame him at all for that.
 

Michen

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You’re welcome to ride my Dutch warm blood who was a stallion until he was 4/5 and see how he responds to a good wallop. Personally having given him the odd smack and seen his response to that I’m not brave enough. I’m in for the long term and he’s vastly improved in confidence since I first had him. He was an SJ with little hacking experience.

His last two spins have been due to mountain bikers hurtling downhill around a blind bend. One of which ended up in a hedge. I do not blame him at all for that.

Why would I want to ride your horse and wallop it?

I said “I”m not saying a smack is the way forward for every horse in this situation”. I have another horse who more often than not needs a different approach. But different approach or not, the behaviour is still corrected.

I also referred to regular spinning. Ie horse making a habit of it. Please read my post.
 
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Auslander

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Alf is a spinner. He always has been, always will be, and at his advanced age, I'm just happy that he's still full of the joys.
If he was younger, and needed to be civilised, I'd deal with it, but although his spins are devilish, they don't happen very often, so I just accept that occasionally, were going to end up facing the wrong way, and thank my lucky stars that I'm still on board!
 

Identityincrisis

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I am quite shocked at how many people consider regular spinning to be ok. The odd one, I understand. But to me regularly spinning at something every time the horse spooks is in the same category as bucking and rearing- an unacceptable behaviour.

I’m not saying a smack is the way forward in this situation for every horse btw by any means, there are many ways to discipline or make the behavio7r obviously unwanted, but I certainly wouldn’t be laughing and patting the horse.

When i say i just laugh it's because my horses don't spook with the intention to get me off, yes may do a bit of a spin but once they realise that they aren't actually going to die, they're fine, plus mine is nervous by nature so tends to do better with reassurance rather than being reprimanded. I find laughing is actually effective as I'm not tense.

I had a horse who had a nasty spin, he would drop his shoulder at the same time, he would get a boot and a growl
 

huskydamage

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Normal spooking or 'flinching' at stuff I ignore probably laugh at it, esp if its accompanied by that riduculous loud snorting thing they do ??
spinning and running off I would get cross about unless they were genuinely scared, mine don't really spin and run but when they have tried in the past I dont carry a crop but I have made them 180 and run back to where they ran off from, which I remember them not being so enthusiastic about ?
 

The Xmas Furry

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I am quite shocked at how many people consider regular spinning to be ok. The odd one, I understand. But to me regularly spinning at something every time the horse spooks is in the same category as bucking and rearing- an unacceptable behaviour.

I’m not saying a smack is the way forward in this situation for every horse btw by any means, there are many ways to discipline or make the behavio7r obviously unwanted, but I certainly wouldn’t be laughing and patting the horse.
I don't 'do' spinning at all, very glad B and her predecessors dont do this, I find that completely unacceptable. Sold one straight on a few years ago due to that (which was a confirmed habit so I found out having dug around previous owners, and I wasnt going to quick fix it, nor was I willing to possibly go splat at butterflies etc). Jumped beautifully, but span if in front or hacking on own. Not my idea of fun, so off she went.
 

iknowmyvalue

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Mostly, laugh and say something along the lines of “don’t be such a spanner”. Sometimes I do give him a kick or smack if he’s being especially dramatic about something and is reversing and trying to spin. Though he doesn’t normally spook too violently, but he does spook often.

For me proper spinning is unacceptable. It’s something mine tries occasionally, and has got me off a few times. Hence why it’s not cool with me.
 

Sprat

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As an aside, I love the ones which throw out their legs at right angles such that the saddle drops a foot whilst snorting dramatically. Totally harmless, and ridiculous!

I used to have a gelding like this. We would be happily mooching through the fields on the end of the buckle and something would spook him (usually a pheasant but we did have baby deer jump out of hedges at us). He would bambi on ice, legs would flail everywhere and I dropped about 3 foot as he sat his backside down. It used to give me terrible back ache but once I learned to just relax in the saddle it was quite entertaining. On-lookers always found it hilarious when I didn't break conversation when it happened.
 

proseccoandponies

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Why would I want to ride your horse and wallop it?

I said “I”m not saying a smack is the way forward for every horse in this situation”. I have another horse who more often than not needs a different approach. But different approach or not, the behaviour is still corrected.

I also referred to regular spinning. Ie horse making a habit of it. Please read my post.

As a genuine question, as you mentioned you had a youngster that used to do this and managed to correct it, how would you suggest correcting spinning?

I have a big horse who can be fairly hot headed. To hack generally he is really good, pretty solid in traffic, but he has always been one to spook at silly little things, e.g a pigeon or plastic bag, cattle grids, those rocks people have outside their driveway etc. I do think this is just genuinely the type of thing that does frighten him, so I can deal with him having a spook/look as long as we go by and get round. However I don't think planting, leaping and spinning around is an acceptable reaction to thing and can be dangerous on slippy roads. This isnt something he used to ever do but it is something that seems to have become something sometimes he does. Most the time i just keep my leg on and sent him forward, but it can take a while and I don't really want to go on with this behavior on the road. I am not against giving them a short sharp smack with a whip however he does explode when you do this, and I mean explode, he we blow right up, rear, bronc absolutely lose his sh*t. Whilst hes started this annoying behavior to nip it in the bud I have been just hacking in company for a bit, as if there is another horse that will just go past he will follow. It is quite frustrating as this is a horse I have hacked alone since newly backed with no issue other than a minor spook.
 

Scotsbadboy

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Depends on the spook and what caused it. If it makes me jump its a laugh and a pat. My reasoning is pretty simple ... it made me jump as well! If its a 'silly' spook over nothing they usually get a dig in the ribs and told to walk on then a pat for responding well.

I should imagine your horse spinning is that he may just be rather dramatic .. it has been known in a TB of course ;)
 

Michen

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As a genuine question, as you mentioned you had a youngster that used to do this and managed to correct it, how would you suggest correcting spinning?

I have a big horse who can be fairly hot headed. To hack generally he is really good, pretty solid in traffic, but he has always been one to spook at silly little things, e.g a pigeon or plastic bag, cattle grids, those rocks people have outside their driveway etc. I do think this is just genuinely the type of thing that does frighten him, so I can deal with him having a spook/look as long as we go by and get round. However I don't think planting, leaping and spinning around is an acceptable reaction to thing and can be dangerous on slippy roads. This isnt something he used to ever do but it is something that seems to have become something sometimes he does. Most the time i just keep my leg on and sent him forward, but it can take a while and I don't really want to go on with this behavior on the road. I am not against giving them a short sharp smack with a whip however he does explode when you do this, and I mean explode, he we blow right up, rear, bronc absolutely lose his sh*t. Whilst hes started this annoying behavior to nip it in the bud I have been just hacking in company for a bit, as if there is another horse that will just go past he will follow. It is quite frustrating as this is a horse I have hacked alone since newly backed with no issue other than a minor spook.

I (or we, as I had a pro involved as well), would use the stick on the shoulder in combination with the right leg to have him face back the correct way post spin. Then quietly ask him to walk on again, no big deal. No shouting, kicking, flapping. Just a clear "no, not the correct behaviour" and ask again. No issue him having a look at all, and would never smack for going sideways or whatnot though I'd try to prevent that with the leg just not always feasible.

Ideal would be to catch him in the spin and correct him- but hard to do on a super quick horse! I also used draw reins very occasionally when he was particularly fresh and then a market harborough which really helped "catch" the behaviour before it happened. I hate draw reins, and would never school in them, but do think they have a place sometimes in certain situations. He has probably worn them 5 times or so in his life.

His was all tied in with nappiness as well though. And he was never a horse that you couldn't use a stick with, he genuinely responded well to it- it seemed to snap him out of his mindset.
 

Ranyhyn

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I dont know I guess the thread title is a bit different to the content!

My idea of a spook is a look and a mild bogey past or a little bum scoot. I ignore all these things unless they take ME by surprise in which case I swear like a sailor!

What you are talking about seems altogether more dynamic and I have no idea what I would do but I certainly wouldnt enjoy it!
 

Muddywellies

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I ignore it. I don't like it, but the horse has a brain. I can't expect her to ignore the world around her. Sometimes we 'spook' together at things, if it makes me jump too. I'd be a bit upset if she gave me a wallop because something made me jump ?. What IS annoying though, is when she spooks at nothing in the school as an evasion. Whole different kettle of fish.
 

FourLeafClover

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Smacking mine would have made him worse. When I tried/bought him, I was advised to hack him on a short rein with leg on, and not to drop guard as that would be when he would spook and spin. I was told he would probably spin 2-3 times in a short hack. He did it once with me on the first hack, and maybe four or so times in that first year, but it just isn't his default reaction now. I pointedly rode him in the complete opposite way - with a longer more relaxed rein - and it did the trick :)
 

proseccoandponies

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I (or we, as I had a pro involved as well), would use the stick on the shoulder in combination with the right leg to have him face back the correct way post spin. Then quietly ask him to walk on again, no big deal. No shouting, kicking, flapping. Just a clear "no, not the correct behaviour" and ask again. No issue him having a look at all, and would never smack for going sideways or whatnot though I'd try to prevent that with the leg just not always feasible.

Ideal would be to catch him in the spin and correct him- but hard to do on a super quick horse! I also used draw reins very occasionally when he was particularly fresh and then a market harborough which really helped "catch" the behaviour before it happened. I hate draw reins, and would never school in them, but do think they have a place sometimes in certain situations. He has probably worn them 5 times or so in his life.

His was all tied in with nappiness as well though. And he was never a horse that you couldn't use a stick with, he genuinely responded well to it- it seemed to snap him out of his mindset.

Thanks, didnt want you to take that the wrong was I was genuinely looking for advice/suggestions! I am starting to think it has become a type of napping, started off by something he does spook at and progressing to just refusing to go by. I am glad you mentioned the draw reins, I am the same I don't agree with schooling in them really, but they are a great tool for hacking out alone on a horse who is very very quick in his behavior, and they have saved me many times out on the road haha. it is so difficult because he is usually such a well behaved horse and in fact can actually be a little bit behind the leg but he can also be very explosive and quick. I have been taking my partner on foot with me to help by walking ahead and this works too.
 

Michen

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Thanks, didnt want you to take that the wrong was I was genuinely looking for advice/suggestions! I am starting to think it has become a type of napping, started off by something he does spook at and progressing to just refusing to go by. I am glad you mentioned the draw reins, I am the same I don't agree with schooling in them really, but they are a great tool for hacking out alone on a horse who is very very quick in his behavior, and they have saved me many times out on the road haha. it is so difficult because he is usually such a well behaved horse and in fact can actually be a little bit behind the leg but he can also be very explosive and quick. I have been taking my partner on foot with me to help by walking ahead and this works too.

Good luck. It was a habit I was very glad to get my boy out of. As someone else mentioned, if I had a horse who regularly did it I’d sell it. It’s a horrible behavioural trait!
 

ihatework

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Thanks, didnt want you to take that the wrong was I was genuinely looking for advice/suggestions! I am starting to think it has become a type of napping, started off by something he does spook at and progressing to just refusing to go by. I am glad you mentioned the draw reins, I am the same I don't agree with schooling in them really, but they are a great tool for hacking out alone on a horse who is very very quick in his behavior, and they have saved me many times out on the road haha. it is so difficult because he is usually such a well behaved horse and in fact can actually be a little bit behind the leg but he can also be very explosive and quick. I have been taking my partner on foot with me to help by walking ahead and this works too.

The spooky spinners can then use it as a bit of a nappy evasion too. For those that a proper telling off isn’t the right way forwards, I have my trusty home made device - a long flicky schooling whip that I pad out and wrap with vet wrap and duct tape. Makes a very useful wavy thing to catch their eye and if you do need to give a reminder they are less likely to take offence.
 

Bernster

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Depends on the spook and what caused it. If it makes me jump its a laugh and a pat. My reasoning is pretty simple ... it made me jump as well! If its a 'silly' spook over nothing they usually get a dig in the ribs and told to walk on then a pat for responding well.

I should imagine your horse spinning is that he may just be rather dramatic .. it has been known in a TB of course ;)

Similar here. Depends on the horse but a genuine spook I try to reassure, leg on, redirect if needed and get their attention back on me. If it’s more like a nap, then an ‘oi’, stronger leg, possibly a tap with the whip, and push on. But depends on the horse. Finnegan is the only horse I’ve come across who goes towards something he’s not sure of, he wants to check it out, for other horses that often makes them more anxious!
 

Michen

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Similar here. Depends on the horse but a genuine spook I try to reassure, leg on, redirect if needed and get their attention back on me. If it’s more like a nap, then an ‘oi’, stronger leg, possibly a tap with the whip, and push on. But depends on the horse. Finnegan is the only horse I’ve come across who goes towards something he’s not sure of, he wants to check it out, for other horses that often makes them more anxious!

Ha that made me smile. When Boggle was a youngster he also used to do this, he'd do a gigantic dramatic spook at something and then march up to it, nostrils flaring, bolshy as anything. Then he would lose the plot again but in a "how could you make me go up to that!!!" sort of way, as if I had forced, or even asked him to- when I hadn't even put my leg on!

He had two very different spooks, the above scenario and then the spin/nap/no thanks I'm going home scenario.
 

ponynutz

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My horse jumps, I jump. I give her a pat, a bit of leg and some squeezes down the rain if she needs some encouragement; have a laugh about it and carry on.
 

Neddie123

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The thing with pheasants is that your horse won't have spooked at this exact pheasant in the exact same location so it is different from your horse's POV. Also different is the reaction between riders. He can't know what will happen. I'm like you I'd just get it sorted quietly and carry on. And if it was only you riding then I would expect your horse to become calmer. At the moment there isn't consistency. If your horse is expecting a slap I'm not surprised that he canters off. Does he canter off with your partner?
No he never canters off with my partner. He regularly tries to bugger off with both of us but only really gets anywhere with me as I'm not as firm (or as experienced).
 

Neddie123

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I would likely smack if the horse was spinning. But I don’t consider that behaviour acceptable and I do think if not corrected horses can get in a habit of doing it at every spook. My Connemara used to be terrible for this as a youngster and it had to be very black and white that it was not an acceptable way to react. He very rarely if ever spins now but he’s still pretty effective at a sideways teleport!

A sideways spook etc, ok fine, but spinning- nope. Smack on the shoulder to correct and straighten.
Yes thats my partner's view on it. The spins happen sometimes several times on a ride so this is not an occasional thing, and not just pheasants - can be stones or logs. It doesn't bother me too much but it is annoying if Im not paying attention and he does a 180. To be fair Im getting better at predicting this apart from the pheasant spooks.
 

Michen

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Yes thats my partner's view on it. The spins happen sometimes several times on a ride so this is not an occasional thing, and not just pheasants - can be stones or logs. It doesn't bother me too much but it is annoying if Im not paying attention and he does a 180. To be fair Im getting better at predicting this apart from the pheasant spooks.

Well I expect as your partner is an ex jockey he’s a no nonsense type and doesn’t believe that sort of behaviour should be put up with.

Even if it was considered acceptable at a pheasant (which can make both horse and rider jump!), stones etc? To me that just sounds like a habit.
 
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