How to calm a scared horse

[OrangeAndLemon]

I'm on a very busy yard and regularly have to lead 900kg of horse past show jumping, announcers, horseboxes, paramedic cars, dogs, competitors cantering past us on the sand track (they shouldn't but it happens) as well as flappy tents.

I do a lot of ground training and if I'm ever unsure of him we turn it back into a training session. We will halt, back up and walk on and make him focus on me and my voice. He loves the idea of being a good boy and earning a reward (a scratch or a bit of carrot). This way I prevent the risk of spooking and give us both a focus to help us calm.

 

[paddy555]

Bloody hell! 50 years!!! Massive respect to you ??? So if you could give ONE piece of advice (only one) to novice owners -the most important bit of advice that you have learnt over the years - what would if be? X

I can only do about 45 years to Windandrain's 50, however most important advice is you are the leader. The horse needs a leader (ridden or led) he needs to be told what to do and when and how to do it. When he knows that he doesn't run off when being led. If he is scared he looks to the leader.

I would also get rid of the lunge line. I always use a 10 foot rope on a headcollar and I hate the lead rope going over the top of the head. (which I think is what you have) If the lunge rope got dropped and Prince stood on it then it could really hurt his mouth/head.

ps. don't you ever sleep

 

[ycbm]

So let’s say the horse was scared, and pulling against you - what do you do?

Move towards him to release the pull on the rope. Slip the rope if you still have enough left, to release the pressure. Then when you are back at his shoulder pull his head back towards you and get him to swing out his bum and keep him moving around you until he is calm.

These are all emergency measures, no substitution for teaching ground manners when there is no emergency, as people have advised above.

 

[paddy555]

I do a lot of ground training and if I'm ever unsure of him we turn it back into a training session. We will halt, back up and walk on and make him focus on me and my voice. He loves the idea of being a good boy and earning a reward (a scratch or a bit of carrot). This way I prevent the risk of spooking and give us both a focus to help us calm.

this

 

[ycbm]

Bloody hell! 50 years!!! Massive respect to you ??? So if you could give ONE piece of advice (only one) to novice owners -the most important bit of advice that you have learnt over the years - what would if be? X

45 years here


The horse will take his confidence from you.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Nothing to add to all the brilliant advice above except, never let him turn his head right away from you if he is really wound up. If they can once get their head away and their shoulder turned into you, you are likely to lose them, if they are in that frame of mind. I have had two that would do this on the lunge but only to the right. Get halfway round the circle then whip their heads away from the circle and just go. Lunging them with the line attached to a bit stopped that one but you had to be quick to respond. Doesn't sound as though that is likely to happen to you with such a nice horse as Prince but as well to be aware of it.

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

K - I seem to recall you've already experienced P having a really BIG spook when you were leading him and other than a tiny squeak of suprise (like we all might!) when he jumped about 15 ft sideways you coped admirably! And fair play to P, he was very careful to avoid knocking into you. So you've probably already experienced the worst and survived. Hat, gloves and reflective tabard and if he seems especially snorty or its windy etc. choose another day setting you both up to suceed. Small steps lead to big goals. It won't be that long before you just sigh and tell him to stop being a huge spanner - confidence comes with practice/experience and you're well on the way!

 

[windand rain]

I use a correctly fitted Richard Maxwell halter but any quick release one will do I have a long rope attached it is quite a heavy rope it came as part of the kit along with a dvd showing how to use it. Max is very calm and does come to do some training but it is a biggish investment but lasts a lifetime

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I haven't read the whole thread but I prefer to use an old-fashioned halter, which is good for pressure/release. I have never let go of a horse in 45 yrs. Wear gloves, carry treats and a schooling whip. I hold the schooling whip in front of bargy horses, so that they can see a physical barrier but if they push too far forward will tap the chest to remind them -tap-tap-tap- in an annoying manner, rather than as a reprimand. If leading a horse that will stop I use the schooling whip behind me, at the girth, to keep the horse moving forward. I always walk at the horse's shoulder and expect the horse to stay in position. I find that the handler's body language is the most effective tool in keeping the horse calm, along with the handler's voice.

 

[9tails]

It's such a great idea that you're setting your horse up to see plenty of the world. Spook busting is the best way to set up a horse to become a good member of society and therefore less spooky and reactive. The estate that my yard is on holds events on a large field and I take my horse down in hand to see the sights, marquees going up and coming down along with big noisy machines running. On the day, we go close to observe the crowds and noise. Always in a rope halter and always with a pocketful of Baileys fibre nuggets to either distract or reward. It's always been a success and she prances back to the yard like a gold medal winner.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

45 years here


The horse will take his confidence from you.

Nearly 70 here if you count the first shiteland. And still everyday I realise I know nothing!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Nearly 70 here if you count the first shiteland. And still everyday I realise I know nothing!

They can certainly all teach us something new.

 

[doodle]

I haven’t read all the replies so sorry if doubling up. I find the most issues leading are when people have a death grip on the rope under the horses chin and the other hand also gripping tightly. This dosnt offer more control as it simply makes the horse more nervous, you are tense telling them that there is an issue. Lead with a loop in the rope and with an attitude of “all is fine, nothing will happen so no need to be tense”.

If the horse does run back and get a fright I would allow a couple of steps, give them a second then something like “you are ok, walk on”. If horse is still upset and scared a hand on the neck seems to really smooth Robin. He will sometimes see something from his stable and a hand on neck without a big fuss helps. Then carry on as if nothing has happened. If you are not bothered then mostly they are not either.

 

[paddy555]

Nearly 70 here if you count the first shiteland. And still everyday I realise I know nothing!

you were lucky. Horses were at the top of my dad's hate list. Didn't get one until I left home at 19. What a waste of 19 years.

 

[mariew]

I haven't read all posts but regardless of techniques I'd recommend wearing a helmet if you suspect the horse is going to be a tit.

 

[Circe2]

That's why singing helps if your nervous because you have to breathe! I lost my confidence after an accident I had and I used to tense up so badly and stop breathing so this helped me loads, you need to relax as well because horses pick up on all of the negative things we put out unfortunately, I know sometimes if I am a bit hormonal and miserable my horses pick up on it and I often don't ride if I am in a certain frame of mind it's not worth it, but we are all flesh and blood and everyday is never the same.

I’ve had some anxiety-related horse trouble after two relatively bad/scary accidents in one year (both completely out of my control + not the horse’s fault), which has made me generally weary/reactive, though bizarrely more so on the ground than in the actual saddle.

Singing and faking till you make it firmness/direction generally work well - also, I find that with my horse, the few times he’s spooked a bit when lead (stopped, pulled back), what helps is talking to him, loosening the reins/rope, and walking somewhat in front of him/at a pace to encourage him to follow me. It sounds extremely counter-intuitive as we normally always teach horses to walk next to/in front of us for safety reasons, and to always keep an eye on them - but I swear that if they’re stopping/pulling backwards, they honestly just want you, as their herd, to walk in front of them and show them there’s no danger - a bit like having a calmer horse overtake on a hack if your horse doesn’t want to lead.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I’ve had some anxiety-related horse trouble after two relatively bad/scary accidents in one year (both completely out of my control + not the horse’s fault), which has made me generally weary/reactive, though bizarrely more so on the ground than in the actual saddle.

Singing and faking till you make it firmness/direction generally work well - also, I find that with my horse, the few times he’s spooked a bit when lead (stopped, pulled back), what helps is talking to him, loosening the reins/rope, and walking somewhat in front of him/at a pace to encourage him to follow me. It sounds extremely counter-intuitive as we normally always teach horses to walk next to/in front of us for safety reasons, and to always keep an eye on them - but I swear that if they’re stopping/pulling backwards, they honestly just want you, as their herd, to walk in front of them and show them there’s no danger - a bit like having a calmer horse overtake on a hack if your horse doesn’t want to lead.

I still struggle with things that are out of my control and I can still get very upset if I have a fail which is because of my accident, I have to really try and have a success everyday so I aim much lower than I used to.

It's probably the only thing I can't seem to get over I can easily burst into tears if things don't go to plan, I never used to be like that I just sort of thought oh well it's a bad day never mind I have tomorrow.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I’ve had some anxiety-related horse trouble after two relatively bad/scary accidents in one year (both completely out of my control + not the horse’s fault), which has made me generally weary/reactive, though bizarrely more so on the ground than in the actual saddle.

Singing and faking till you make it firmness/direction generally work well - also, I find that with my horse, the few times he’s spooked a bit when lead (stopped, pulled back), what helps is talking to him, loosening the reins/rope, and walking somewhat in front of him/at a pace to encourage him to follow me. It sounds extremely counter-intuitive as we normally always teach horses to walk next to/in front of us for safety reasons, and to always keep an eye on them - but I swear that if they’re stopping/pulling backwards, they honestly just want you, as their herd, to walk in front of them and show them there’s no danger - a bit like having a calmer horse overtake on a hack if your horse doesn’t want to lead.

What sort of accidents did you have?

 

[Circe2]

What sort of accidents did you have?

Accident 1: (the beginning of all the bad luck!) The horse I was on got startled by a pheasant flying out of a bush at him when I was out on a hack - the horse was borrowed, so the stirrup leathers were slightly too long for me (highest hole, but still dressage-length) so when the horse jumped forward, I lost them - horse then bolted, as the horse behind got really distressed, and wouldn’t stop running until I decided to jump ship. Had I had my stirrups I would probably have been able to pull him up, but we were nearing a road so I had very little choice but launching myself! (ambulance, broken bones, still can’t walk far/run almost a year later)

Accident 2: Was out on a hack a couple of months ago and got attacked and chased by a dog off leash. Horse literally shat himself with fear, threw me off and ran all the way home. (Ambulance, concussion, fractured ribs).

Bizarrely, accident #2, which had a much better outcome, has left me in a much worse state mentally than accident #1 did (a more “classic” horse accident) - it just felt really, really distressing getting chased and not being able to do anything about it, no hope of my horse calming down.

 

[Circe2]

I should add that those two accidents are by far the worst I’ve had in 25 years of riding - dressage, hacking, hunting, polo, even a bit of jumping/XC. So it just goes to show that 2020 is basically Satan’s year, and I’m so glad we’ve only got a few hours left of it ?

So I shouldn’t put you off!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I didn't really want to like as they sound totally horrible and you have every reason to be nervous! My friend was chased by 2 dog's on her Arab she fell off and her horse ran into a metal gate and broke her leg she had to be pts at the scene so I can fully appreciate how awful it can be.

I did a great rider confidence course at the horse combat centre in Hemel Hempstead in the summer I would really recommend it, I felt so much better afterwards and I still use the hypnotherapy sessions on my phone I find them really relaxing as well, they have a really good website and Facebook page have a look.

 

[saalsk]

Great ideas from 9tails ( and others ), and I love the concept of spook busting - anything that isn't normal, or everyday, is a learning experience, and I do the same, and take mine to as many different places/sights as possible, in a safe way, and let them experience stuff. Having lived near/on military bases for many many years, my lot barely stop chewing even when ( at current house ) low level fast jets go overhead, or a couple of chinooks appear from behind a group of trees with almost zero warning. The more new stuff they experience, the braver they tend to get - and that instills confidence in you, which then feeds back to them. The most important thing I learned from my reactive arab chap, was to take my time. If he got tense out riding, he got the most adorable wrinkles just in front of his withers, as he concertina'd himself from a 6 foot rug wearer, to a 5 foot rug wearer, and I could feel his heart rate zooming against my left ankle. If you touched any buttons at this point, he would explode. Sit still, and wait, and he'd work it out for himself, and calm down. His ear tips would stop tickling my nose, the wrinkles would disappear, and he would start sighing and letting out the adrenaline, and walk on again. Mostly, I never even knew what set him off. My job was to sit still, be balanced, be ready for movement, but not press buttons. He would sigh, relax, the wrinkles went, the heart rate dropped, and he would walk on.
I also did a rider confidence course - it was fabulous. Taught me to recognise early signs, and make decisions to move away, or stop, that meant nothing escalated. I still had accidents, don't get me wrong, and I still have moments, but they are less, and I can control them better.
Much as they indicated danger, I do miss those wrinkles since he has been gone !

 

[Circe2]

I didn't really want to like as they sound totally horrible and you have every reason to be nervous! My friend was chased by 2 dog's on her Arab she fell off and her horse ran into a metal gate and broke her leg she had to be pts at the scene so I can fully appreciate how awful it can be.

I did a great rider confidence course at the horse combat centre in Hemel Hempstead in the summer I would really recommend it, I felt so much better afterwards and I still use the hypnotherapy sessions on my phone I find them really relaxing as well, they have a really good website and Facebook page have a look.

It’s genuinely the worst feeling in the world - I mean, normally when a horse bolts, you first feel that sinking feeling, but then you start thinking practically about how to turn/ride it out etc. Being chased was completely different - it’s hard to describe the sheer panic you feel, also knowing your horse is basically under siege. It’s a sort of nightmare watching-in-slowmo claustrophobia. You can’t get off and you’re watching things just get worse and worse. I’m so sorry for your friend and her horse - that’s genuinely what I thought the outcome might be for mine. Watching my horse disappear into a busy bike lane (and a later complaint from someone saying he nearly ran their child over) just topped it all off. There were gates, kids, bikes, ditches, a canal - so many things that could’ve gone wrong. Thankfully he didn’t have a scratch on him!

I will actually check this course out, as I’ve heard about it before and am based in the SE - thank you for suggesting it

 

[mini_b]

Kiera! Post COVID or as soon as it’s safe to do so, do you not like the thought of taking prince to one of these groundwork/spook busting/confidence/trec type activity clinic things?
They can be in hand/ridden or both depending on what you are comfortable to do at the time.
There are some trainers that offer it 1 on 1 as more of a lesson or you can join a group session.

they aren’t meant to be terrifying and I don’t mean the horse whispery stuff or retraining for when it’s all gone wrong.
I mean the ones that are fun and rewarding for you both!

 

[Hackback]

I am not qualified to add anything to the excellent practical advice you have been given, but from an emotional perspective I have found it helps me immensely to remember that I am the 'adult' in our relationship and it is up to me to look after my horse. Whether that be a shake on his rope and telling him not to be such a t*t, giving him a bollocking for not concentrating, or getting between him and the scary thing depends on what I gauge his level of genuine scaredness is. I guess that's something you learn as you get to know your horse. And the only way to progress with that is time and miles. If you need a friend for backup while you're learning that's fine - enjoy the journey. Believe me, it's a bit like having a child - you'll look back in years to come with nostalgia!

 

[Keira 8888]

K - I seem to recall you've already experienced P having a really BIG spook when you were leading him and other than a tiny squeak of suprise (like we all might!) when he jumped about 15 ft sideways you coped admirably! And fair play to P, he was very careful to avoid knocking into you. So you've probably already experienced the worst and survived. Hat, gloves and reflective tabard and if he seems especially snorty or its windy etc. choose another day setting you both up to suceed. Small steps lead to big goals. It won't be that long before you just sigh and tell him to stop being a huge spanner - confidence comes with practice/experience and you're well on the way!

Yes! Do you remember that spook??? He hasn’t done it since but without you by my side I find I’m lacking in confidence.

I know I shouldn’t play the “what if” game but my neurotic mind is constantly pestering me. Youve told me so many times about hat and gloves - I really need to get organised and do this. I get so involved with getting him ready that I forget the important stuff!

I will make good strides from now on. I guess its intimidating to be in charge of the big old fur ball.

I need to toughen up!!

Kxx

 

[Keira 8888]

I can only do about 45 years to Windandrain's 50, however most important advice is you are the leader. The horse needs a leader (ridden or led) he needs to be told what to do and when and how to do it. When he knows that he doesn't run off when being led. If he is scared he looks to the leader.

I would also get rid of the lunge line. I always use a 10 foot rope on a headcollar and I hate the lead rope going over the top of the head. (which I think is what you have) If the lunge rope got dropped and Prince stood on it then it could really hurt his mouth/head.

ps. don't you ever sleep

Haha! No not really!! My feral children and demanding cats keep me awake into the small hours. Not to mention snoring husband. I fantasise about a quiet dark bedroom with lavender scented sheets!!

 

[Equi]

Im faily certain its already been said, but pressure release method. If he is freaking out and pulling away you will never win, so let the rope looser..go with him until he slows/stops. I don't think the "its ok baby, dont worry its okkaaayyy!" type voice works id be more inclined to use no voice until they are almost at a stop anyway then say "woah-oh*" and then let him gather his thoughts for a few seconds/longer if needed and then go forward again with "walk on*" in a firm but positive way? if that makes sense.

*whatever words you choose to use

 

[Keira 8888]

Im faily certain its already been said, but pressure release method. If he is freaking out and pulling away you will never win, so let the rope looser..go with him until he slows/stops. I don't think the "its ok baby, dont worry its okkaaayyy!" type voice works id be more inclined to use no voice until they are almost at a stop anyway then say "woah-oh*" and "walk on*" in a firm but positive way? if that makes sense.

*whatever words you choose to use

What head collar would you use to really help the pressure release tactic work?

Kxxx

 

[Equi]

What head collar would you use to really help the pressure release tactic work?

Kxxx

Ive used a rope and a normal halter. If they are going backwards frankly i don't think it makes a difference. Its natural for them to pull away from anything constricting. You will never win no matter the halter. Its about timing and knowing when to let them have time to think, asking to walk on, giving them a little correction when they are about to be silly but preempting it etc....lots of it just comes with knowing the animal, expierence reading horses etc.