'snakes in the grass!'

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fuffy

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Advice please anyone who has a horse/pony who sees 'snakes in the grass' and spooks at nothing or catleaps in the air also over nothing. He is only 3 a highland pony and very calm, will hack out on his own or with others but will just leap at nothing! he has dislodged me trampling me underfoot and run home leaving the other horse! Galloped around us twice before he set off home. Last time out spooking and catleapt even more.Once the spook is done he settles straight down again.
Nothing has happened to scare him and I just wondered if he will grow out of it or should I try the walking over tarpaulin etc stuff with him... I'm at a loss as to how to tackle it. He is not a bold boy like most youngsters do you think he will improve?? or anyone had similar experiences??
 
My Haffie is just the same. I find that I need to keep her moving forward and keep her concentration whilst staying relaxed. If I feel her backing off or she balks at something I find that gently bouncing my leg against her on the opposite side to her attention (like a little 'tap tap') helps to get her back with me. If she reacts to this I need to let her go forward as to resist just causes her to tense up and increasingly become more spooky/silly.
Good luck
 
I would get spook busting and forget riding at all until he is bombproof in the field with everything you can think of a sort of handy pony course with plastic bags as washing and walking over and under things. You cant beat a good highland but they are physically and mentally slow to mature. Groundwork should be well established so you are his comfort it is dangerous to both of you and others to have him running off on his own
 
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Having reread your post I think you mean on the ground rather than ridden? Again, I used to have similair issues but as her confidence has grown in me (and mine in her) it has almost stopped happening. Try and ignore the behaviour and where possible just keep moving forward ( very much the same sort of tactics as when you are on board) Try not to make an issue out of it, stay calm, circle him if need be then quietly walk forward again. I find if they tend to be walking/jumping into me or bending away then leading with your elbow crooked into their shoulder helps with control.
 
I echo all regarding plenty groundwork. stay calm but firm but moving horse forward. But please as precaution please get eyes check. just a precaution and prob clear but given my experience with baby im now quite concious sometimes behaviout can be eye related :)
 
When you say hacking out do you mean you are riding him or inhand?
If he's only three he's too young to be ridden IMO. Highland mature late and many wont back then until at least 4, then turn away and start working from 5-6 years old. The behaviour sounds like he may be tight in his back. I'd get him looked at and give him some time to grow up, he's just a baby :(
 
Not sure if its different for different breeds etc but my connemara was like this last year at 5. He had a couple of months off earlier this year due to vet treatment, is now 6 and has seemed to suddenly grow up in that time! Such a difference out hacking now! It does sound like a babyish thing to me :)
 
Thanks for all the comments. The thing is he is not a classically spooky pony..i.e. looking for stuff all the time its just something he thinks he sees at the last moment beside or underneath him. He has been to his first show today and been a complete laidback Angel! Nothing has bothered him in the least. He has even drunk the water we took for him he was so chilled! 5 classes..5 rosettes!

I was lucky enough to speak with an owner of 5 Highlands who said unfortunately native ponies live far more on their wits and are aware of potential dangers more than others. Which very much fits the bill I think. I do push him on and keep him moving... hoping it is just a baby thing he will grow out of, he is ridden , very short mostly walk hacks as he is better with something to do! Hoping also now to get him trained to driving sometime later in the year so he sees more of the world! I do Believe all this groundwork in a young strong pony is the best thing for him.. he is needing to learn respect and that you cant walk over people!
 
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