Sitting back when horse spooks forward

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mar2505

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Help I just cannot sit back when my horse spooks. I always go straight to foetal position and today ended up cantering down road when a bird came up behind us in a hedge . I always end up round my horse neck. I know it can't be practised or it would not be a spook but how do I train my body to go back not forward
Thanks
 
Hi I find I often do the same thing and my horse is a major spooker! Today to give me a confidence boost my friend came and stood in the school with me and when Tilly spooked and then bombed off (new evasion tactic!) she told me to sit back. I didn't even realise I was leaning forward so it really helped so could you try getting someone to watch you and do the same until it becomes second nature?
 
She is not a big spooker and although someone always shouts it to me, it's not a slight tip forward, it's. a hang myself round his neck and hold on. Oh god if I could just stop my initial reaction!
 
I tip forward a bit when mine spooks, it takes alot of mentally shouting at myself aswell as someone else telling me to sit back.

Sorry but did chuckle at the hanging around the neck thing. I don't know what to suggest other than force yourself mentally to sit back.

I got a little practice today a couple of times as Moo was being a Moo!
 
I would do two things one take a look at your overall position, in particular your legs and seat bones I bet you are tilting forward on your seat in the first place and hollow your back to make up for it.:D

two fit a long flash strap in between the Drings on the saddle and practice hooking your thumb thro it when things go wrong
 
I had a slightly different problem of freezing in the saddle as soon as my horse started to spook. I found having lessons and improving the security of my lower leg has helped. Could you have some lunge lessons to work on your position and improve your seat? The more you do it the more likely you are to stay like that when the horse spooks. I also found practising going around spooky objects in the arena helped my confidence, so that now I can keep my head when she spooks, use shoulder in and just kick on past scary things.
 
I have two very spooky horses, tactics I employ, are make sure your lower leg is well forward,(think old fashioned hunting seat) heel down, sit up, square the shoulders and carry your hands slightly on the high side, this way you are in a defensive position should they shoot forwards, backwards, sideways or stop dead, all of which mine do. If you are continually shooting forward you do need to assess your position, as someone else said, people that are nervous do tend to crouch over the neck in times of trouble.
 
Not sure if it would help, but you could try wearing a body protector. Overall, I feel much more confident when I'm wearing one and much less tempted to get impressed when my horse spooks.
 
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