Spooking in school at other horses

quiteniceforacob

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Thread title odd - sorry! And apologies for the long post - just seeking advice!


Got a new horse (my first) about three weeks ago and had to isolate for about 10 days so we’ve been on and off. He’s been backed beautifully but is a bit green in the school. Has made lots of progress since arriving. He was used at his old home for hunting, hacking and in-hand showing. Have ridden in the school with 2 other horses at a time and he’s been fine.

I hacked him to our local riding centre on a show day to get him used to it, and he had a spook as soon as he saw horses warming up (big trot with bum under) - but then was fine all day.

Friday, we had a lesson (was great), but just before, horses hacked past our school and he bolted to the other end, then a horse in a nearby field cantered past and he was dancing on the spot

Yesterday we had a gymkhana at the yard and we entered the school as others were cantering round. He had a massive spook and cantered sideways with eyes on stalks. In the “lap of honour” he had a spook and then lapped in a beautiful show trot :p.

I know he’s going to take confidence from me and I need to be braver, but I’m now a bit nervous about taking him into a warm up ring at a show. Any advice? I imagine you’re all going to say, ride with others in the school and get him used to it!
 

MissTyc

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I know he’s going to take confidence from me and I need to be braver, but I’m now a bit nervous about taking him into a warm up ring at a show. Any advice? I imagine you’re all going to say, ride with others in the school and get him used to it!

Actually I am going to say give him space and show him you can proactively keep him safe so he doesn't need to worry about it himself. This will also build up trust. My mare became like this after a full frontal collision with another horse in the field. Oddly she remained fine in the field, but become totally blind panicked in the school if another horse came near. I kept her away from the situation, incorporated lateral dancing away and swift maneuver into my schooling routine, and over the weeks and months we edged closer and closer. These days, as long as I keep my inside tightly against her, she will accept to go past another horse without major tantrum. I can tell she's not happy so she actively avoid these situations, but she trusts me enough that on the odd occasion that it's unavoidable she's OK about it.

As for collecting rings ... Well you have a month where you don't need to worry about that now (!) ... I put red ribbons everywhere and turned into THAT ride who called ahead and told people I needed space. I came across like a terrible person but it was necessary and totally worth it. In calmer situations I sometimes got the opportunity to explain to other riders and people were very understanding. I had to be her voice so that she didn't feel the pressure to become her own voice!
 

Leandy

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You've only had him three weeks so are still very much in the getting to know each other stage. It is good that you are exploring how he reacts to different situations. Now you know that he can get lit up in competition type situations you can work on that but the first step is work at home. Make sure you are regularly schooling him in company in the arena at home and I would only take him out to a collecting ring situation once you are able to work him nicely in company at home on a consistent basis and are comfortable together and that you can deal with his reactions. It is early days so you need to let him settle in his home environment first before taking him out and about. So forget about the warm up ring for a bit!
 

fredflop

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One of my old horses was fine in the school, then seemingly started having a meltdown when another horse was in there

she needed her teeth doing
 

quiteniceforacob

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Thanks - all helpful!
We are very much in the “getting to know you” stage so just want to make sure I’m doing it right!

teeth, back, feet all fine. He’s just a baby who lived at home with his previous owners and doesn’t know what to do now there are 15 other horses on the yard!

And I agree I need to be confident with dealing with him!
 

humblepie

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When able to go to such things again perhaps join a riding club for clinics as really good experience at getting a horse out with others. Good luck with him.
 

Muddywellies

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It's just going to take lots of confidence building outings and exposure. Maybe your trainer can compete him for you for a while to help him get used to all the goings ons in collecting rings. They are pretty scary places and do take a bit of getting used to.
 
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