Scared of things behind him - how do I fix this?

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Sandylou

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Sorry about the title, mind wouldn't work and I couldn't think how to word it :)
Long story short....my 6yo cob x appy is really worried about QUIET things coming up behind him. He's fine with traffic but cyclists & joggers cause him to tuck his bum in and threaten to bugger off. He has taken off with me twice but nothing uncontrollable. He normally just canters forwards 2 or 3 strides and then stops.
He's fine long reining.
What's the best way to teach him to think before reacting? How can I help him to be more comfortable with things coming up behind?
Thanks everyone :)
 
My first horse had some 'moments' with cyclists creeping up behind him and then ringing their bells, evidently trying to be helpful :rolleyes:
I got a friend on a bike (with a bell!) and rode my horse in an arena- let him sniff bike all over, watch it move a bit in front of him and see person get on and off bike, then I just started schooling like usual, and asked friend to cycle about the school, and occasionally ring the bell, until he got used to it- hasn't majorly spooked at a bike since (although sometimes they do appear out of nowhere and I nearly jump out the saddle!)
 
This might be controversial but I tied a carrier bag to my young cobs tail years ago.(but he was scared of ANYTHING coming from the rear. Kept to a quiet place, stood by his head and fed titbits. Progressed to walking about and eventually got someone to ride a bike around and behind. Thank you Sam!
Cyclists' and joggers' I think need educating about creeping up behind. I think they creep so as not to frighten the horse!
There are 2 or 3 round here that do shout, bless 'em
 
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Thanks horsemadelsie :)
We have ridden out with a friend on a bike and he was fine with it - friend made sure to cycle behind us, in front of us and next to us so he saw it from all angles. Will deffo try it in the menage though and make sure the bike is not riding WITH us, if that makes sense?! :)
 
Thanks WelshRuby :) I imagine that may be controversial but tbh I think it's quite a good idea if your horse trusts you on the ground so will deffo keep it in mind.
PS - you were obviously suited and booted for the exercise weren't you.....hat, gloves, lunge line, steel toe caps, etc :)
 
My cob is the same, but assuming I have heard the approaching cyclist/jogger before him, I just turn him to face them. Therefore he can see them coming and never have any issues.
 
I was quite confused the first time a cyclist shouted 'bike behind!' And just sort of burbled er... Oh... Hello.. Cheers! Then I realised why but no one else ever has!

I second the bike in the school idea, just get them to try and be quieter and quieter as the horse gets used to it so it is like the secret cyclists on the road :-)
 
Sandylou said:
Thanks WelshRuby :) I imagine that may be controversial but tbh I think it's quite a good idea if your horse trusts you on the ground so will deffo keep it in mind.
PS - you were obviously suited and booted for the exercise weren't you.....hat, gloves, lunge line, steel toe caps, etc :)
Click to expand...

Sandylou, Yes all togged up minus the steel toes!
 
horsemadelsie said:
My first horse had some 'moments' with cyclists creeping up behind him and then ringing their bells, evidently trying to be helpful :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Out of interest what would you do if cycling behind? (That isn't a sarky question but I can't write it how I want it!)

I don't go on roads but if cycling out on a hacking route, coming up behind a horse I'd always shout or ring or something as I've always gone flying (and several horses I've ridden) at cyclists sneaking up behind.

Pan
 
Pan - your question got me thinking......
As riders we know that the best way to pass a horse whilst cycling is to call to the rider when within hearing distance (something along the lines of 'coming by' or 'coooey' :)) and then pass slowly and as widely as possible.
Cyclists that are not aware of horse behaviour may think that because we're on a road our horses must be bombproof and if they're not then they shouldn't be on the road in the first place.
The leisure cyclists don't cause too much bother but we have lots of cycling clubs in our area and a group of 10 or more cyclists is enough to make any horse look twice so I've done a bit of research.......
Of 5 county cycling clubs that I checked only 1 had any mention of how to pass horses safely!!
Pointless post but just thought I'd say :)
 
Sandylou said:
Pan - your question got me thinking......
As riders we know that the best way to pass a horse whilst cycling is to call to the rider when within hearing distance (something along the lines of 'coming by' or 'coooey' :)) and then pass slowly and as widely as possible.
Cyclists that are not aware of horse behaviour may think that because we're on a road our horses must be bombproof and if they're not then they shouldn't be on the road in the first place.
The leisure cyclists don't cause too much bother but we have lots of cycling clubs in our area and a group of 10 or more cyclists is enough to make any horse look twice so I've done a bit of research.......
Of 5 county cycling clubs that I checked only 1 had any mention of how to pass horses safely!!
Pointless post but just thought I'd say :)
Click to expand...

Not a pointless post, we have a lot of cycling and running events in our area and off the back of this post will contact them, will be interesting as I know some of our riders are part of these clubs

Pan
 
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