is there such a thing as a horse that doesn't spook?

Echo Bravo said:
Old saying That a horse that never spooks is a dead horse, they all spook at something even if it's a small jump from them. Mine yesterday jumped 3 inches off ground when he notice something that wasn't there the day before and he is bombproof.:o:o:D:D:D:D
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Absolutely, as horses are prey animals, in the wild their lives depend on being alert (aka spooking!).

Op I am very sympathetic to your pain, I too have injured my coccyx and it is one of the most painful things I have ever experienced, it feels like toothache of the spine! I hope you feel better soon!
 
While you may not be able to guarantee a horse won't spook, I like to know how they spook! Mine has spooked trice at something coming from one side of her (a deer out of a hedge, our dog silently rushing out of long bracken and reeds moving in the wind:rolleyes:), but (touch wood) they have never been that sharp for me to be unseated and she quickly recovers herself. My TB would have had me off in an instant and taken a long, long time to settle down and move on. So to me spooking is to be pretty much expected from time to time, but it's nice when know you can handle the reaction.

I agree with maybe looking at something that can give you some stickability and combining that with letting your horse see and experience as many things as is possible. Best way to start this is going for walks in hand in a bridle or pressure halter. Build the spookiness up slowly. That way you can see how they behave without being a bundle of nerves, and then later when you are happy ride the same scenario.

Poor you, do hope the pain eases soon. Don't make yourself return to that horse if you really truly don't want to. Riding is meant to be fun!:)
 
My boy has spooked at a log poking out of a hedge and a man with a spade on the side of the road, a horse drawn cart.

He has ignored tractors with trailors that look like fairground rides, lorries, buses, cars mototbikes, helicopters and jets, etc.

He doesn't much like pushchairs, push bikes and joggers, doesn't do anything but tenses up. Bird scarers starting up produce a jog for a stride or two.

Not bad for 10 years ownership.

One of my previous ponies spooked for england, even an ant on the road!

Hope you feel better soon, sounds really painful.
 
there is no such thing as a bombproof horse. horse will react, its not if its when. Some horses, admittedly are quieter and less spooky than others in a variety of situations but no horse is bombproof. horses are flight animals, they react first and ask questions later.
some horses 'spook' more as they are taking the p*ss. Others are genuinely scared.
generally the coarser breeds like cobs and other 'cold bloods' are more chilled but it depends on the individual. any horse can and will react to anything at some point or another.
 
OP I am so sorry for your pain and can empathise having broken 3 ribs and punctured lung in a stupid fall 6 weeks ago and still can't lie down to sleep so would agree with pillows and loads of pain killers to help. Can't offer advice on the spooking but would say that while we are laid up and in pain we have far too much time to reflect and it really can mess with your head so I would try not to think too deeply about it all at least until you are feeling better. I was having lessons to keep my hand in whilst looking for a new horse and now had my confidence severely knocked in respect of trying new unknown horses as I have had far too much time sofa bound getting things out of perspective!! i do hope you're feeling better soon and don't forget sometimes better the devil you know?
 
have to say the only horse who will never spook is a rocking horse. Horses are natural flight animals and will react some more so than others.

Hurting your cocyix is bloomin painful hope you are painfree soon.
 
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