Spooking advice please

[Olliepoppy]

Hi, I'm unsure which approach to use to handle my 7 year old cob's spooking. When he plants (sometimes he whirls), he gets stuck solid! Should I sit and wait it out or get off and lead him past the horse eating puddle? When he plants there's no shifting him except to turn back the way we came. I have no one to come out with me to walk on the ground with him or another horse to follow so we are trying to extend his experience on our own. Any thoughts appreciatively received.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Far better to get off and lead him past an obstacle than to allow him to turn round. Can you lead him past several times, first with you between him and the object then from the other side, so that he is between you and the object and then get back on him and ride him past it, when he knows that it won't eat him?

 

[Olliepoppy]

I think leading him past may work as he has much more confidence if there is someone on the ground, I haven't tried this approach before as it seems to be controversial as to whether getting off is 'letting them win' or not?! I just want to do whatever is best to build his confidence and keep us safe..

 

[Olliepoppy]

PS he can also plant at things in the distance so not so easy to lead him past them!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

If you get him past the scary object, you have 'won' and if eventually you manage to ride him past the object then you have not only won the battle, you have won the war!
If you allow him to turn round and go home, he has definitely won!
IME horses don't nap/plant to get the rider off, they do it because they don't want to go forwards, so if you make him go forwards, whether you are on top or on the ground, he certainly hasn't won anything.
If you get him more confident about doing as you ask about the scary things close to him, he will become more trusting about the things further away. Make sure that you look where you want to go, not at the scary object.

 

[Olliepoppy]

Thank you Pearlsasinger, that is very sound advice and a great way of looking at it. That gives me much more confidence to help him deal with horse eating chickens, bin bags etc

 

[applecart14]

If you get him past the scary object, you have 'won' and if eventually you manage to ride him past the object then you have not only won the battle, you have won the war!
If you allow him to turn round and go home, he has definitely won!
IME horses don't nap/plant to get the rider off, they do it because they don't want to go forwards, so if you make him go forwards, whether you are on top or on the ground, he certainly hasn't won anything.
If you get him more confident about doing as you ask about the scary things close to him, he will become more trusting about the things further away. Make sure that you look where you want to go, not at the scary object.

I agree. I would never get off my horse unless it was dangerous to stay on. I always used to rein back past the scary object then turn in the direction you want to go.

 

[Barnacle]

Have you tried turning him all the way around in a circle and asking for forwards off the turn? It may take several attempts but most of them eventually give up. Then you just have to ride forwards next time and at a hint of him planting, start to turn (use your legs and seat - not just your reins) - most get the idea pretty soon. Carry a whip to back up your legs if need be as some horses really block you out when they decide to plant.

Don't just wait though. Keep the horse moving one way or another and if that means dismounting, dismount. WHATEVER you do, do not ever, ever simply turn back and go the way the horse wants!