Nervy/jumpy horses

Mrs_Wishkabibble

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I have a horse I am trying at the moment that is quite jumpy, it doesnt really do anything but does the 4 feet on the ground statue thing when it hears a noise or say the field shelter creaks for instance or when the farrier drops his rasp, you get the idea.
It does look at things when you ride it and it does look petrified but doesnt bolt off or anything and if you reassure it then it is fine and is very willing.
I have only had it here for a few days and it has already improved slightly with routine.
So.......... do you think that when horses are like this they stay like it to a certain degree or do you think that with time, patience and trust that they can be changed??........
Or do you think that every new situation they will revert back to being nervous?
Hope this makes sense.
Oh and it is not a too much energy diet/food issue.
 
All horses are different, my horse is a worrier, he hates hacking alone but is ok in company the odd spook but is getting better. However take him to a show with all the music, banners flags, small children wanting to pet etc and he is a different animal (mainly a show off).

As you have only had it a couple of days I would take the reassuring role, but keep within a set of ground rules ie no barging, pushing etc. In time he/she will settle what are you wanting to do with him/her??

Also how old??

x x
 
My gelding is very nervy and spooky. I find he does improve if we keep doing the same thing over and over, but he can still revert to quivering wreck from time to time! He's nervy about daft little things as well, things you would never predict would make him scared. For example, my husband pointed to his stifle once and he jumped about 3 feet in the air!!
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I think as long as you can cope with and put up with it, then you can get along fine - it can be unnerving and infuriating though. If yours is a young horse, I think you may have more luck.
 
She is 6. Was in training as a 2 year old but never ran and has been kept from what I can gather at racing stables as a pet/hack. Hasnt done any schooling whatsoever but in the two sessions I have had on her she is very willing and learns quickly. I wouldnt say she is spooky, more jumpy if that makes sense, for instance when you put your hand forward to pat her she jumps. She came from a loved home so I dont think she has been beaten or anything like that.
She has improved since being here but I was just wondering if people thought that once a nervy horse always one?
 
Sounds similar to my lad, then. I got my horse when he was 12, and have never hit him, but I'm sure he has had a fair few beatings in his time (he has some interesting scars...). He's 16 now, and most of the time he's ok, but he can still jump unexpectedly. I don't think he'll ever change, so I guess my answer based on that has to be that yes, once a nervy horse always a nervy horse.

Have you had her eyes checked?
 
My lad was spooky/nervy and he never changed in the 5 and a half years I had him. I had the patience of a saint with him, he was never beaten, by me or his breeder who I bought him off. He would shy ALL the time at the slightest thing and proved to be a very difficult ride.
So, from my experience, I'd say once nervy, always nervy but I could be biased!!
 
We have a nervy horse but over the past year working him through it he has changed considerably. We have put him on magic powder to see if that relaxes him and also had a physio lady out to see him today and she found quite a bit of tensness in his neck and hind quarters. He would jump but not take off. We do try to keep to routine.
 
Thanks for your replies everybody. Have ridden her yesterday and today and she has improved loads, whether she will revert back when I take her somewhere different will remain to be seen!!
Thanks again
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have you tried jasmine the essiental oil put it on a tissue and let him sniff it for a few muins before riding it is very good for nervy spooky horses!
 
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