Spooking- what do you do about it?

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dozzie

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I read through the spooking post and replies and clearly this is a problem.

My horse is good in traffic but spooks at clumps of grass. Trouble is she spooks, spins, charges off and has been known to do some huge bucks ( not so common after changing saddle). This is improving but I dont trust her completely.

Up until a few years ago we had a top professional nearby whose horses never seemed to spook or misbehave. Now they were exceptionally well schooled but how did they stop them spooking? Was it just the level of schooling? I only once saw a horse of theirs misbehave. (That was at a pony and trap- mine! He He!)

So what do people do to stop it? Is the horse being rude? I do smack her if she does it and I dont fall off, bit more difficult if I'm on the floor of course! But I do wonder if that is just reinforcing the fact that the scary thing will hurt her.

Riding forward past the obvious things is easy! Its the hidden things like twigs sticking out that you dont see and cant predict that seem to be the problem. Just catches me out!

Has anyone out there cured or just improved a spooky horse?
Let us know how!
 
I think to a large extent you have to accept that horses spook at things. It is their natural instinct to move away sharply from something they don't like the look of or have not seen properly and so, cannot quite make out what it is. The trick is managing the amount of spook and the reaction your horse has to it. If they just side step then fair enough, but if they are charging off down the road...that needs a bit of work.
I have learn't with time what my horse is likely to spook at and when we are approaching the 'thing' I get a good contact and ride him very strongly forwards whilst doing some head away. This works well and with time I have gained a good sense of when he is about to do a silly one and can (most of the time) nip it in the bud before it happens...or at least minimise the reaction. This is something that only time and knowing your horse inside out will will help.
But I recommend the head away exercise as this does seem to help take their mind off things. The other thing you could do is perhaps have some lessons to make sure you have a good solid seat, as this will help you to sit the spooks better. I did this and also dropped my stirrups down 3 holes over time so I feel really secure because I am firmly in the saddle with a long leg that I can wrap round him in times of need!
 
When horses spook, you can generally get the warning signs moments before. So its strong riding and leg on. Being the boss and letting the horse know you are in charge and there is nothing to be silly about. A lot of riders fall down in this area because they tend to react before the event, instead of anticipating before the event and corrective riding to prevent it. Or if you are not quick enough to prevent before, correction whilst it is going off.

The habit of spooking is common to all horses and you cant get rid of it all. However you can prevent a lot of it.
 
I think the answer to your question is in your post, really! The horse at the pro yard were 'exeptionally well-schooled', which means they were very obedient, totally between hand and leg and responsive to the aids, and probably too darn scared and submissive to do anything naughty!!

They were probably in fairly hard work too, which makes a huge difference.

I know from my own experience of a spooky horse that the more I 'ride' him out on a hack, the better behaved he is. He's not one you can just relax on with a loose rein. If I keep him between hand and leg, then I've got him, and if he goes to spook, I can stop it quickly.

He is also better when he's worked harder. For example, he will spook in the school if I take him straight in there, but is as good as gold if I've hacked him for an hour beforehand.

Telling them off for spooking works depending on the horse's character. I have one that responds very well to a smack, and will behave immediately - one tap down the neck for a sideways jumps, or a smack behind the saddle if he stops dead and won't go forward is all you need. But another that throws all the toys out of the pram, and gets his kickers in a twist if you use a stick on him. He's the one that needs assertive riding and lots of work!
 
In the school ride slightly shoulder in and make sure she is infront of your leg and round your inside leg. I also ride mine a little deeper when she is a bit full of it. Riding out if I feel her tense, I do the same really ride her a little deeper make sure she is properly on the bit and in my hand then turn her head away from it and shoulder in past. I feel your pain I have struggled for 3 years with a spook monster and we are only getting better now. Sometimes you just can't stop them but most of the time being one step ahead is enough. Keep at it, it does get better I promise, my instructor always reminds me how I wouldn't believe her when she first told me that Molly would eventually stop being so dam spooky.
 
HORSES ARE HORSES..... THEY ARE DESIGNED TO SPOOK.... Because they have to, to live.... 'Mother nature' has taught horses to move thier feet and think later.... There is nothing you can do about this... It is there reaction. Horses have been around far longer then us and are very good when it comes to it at being horses. You must respect them for this and reliese a horse is not doing it do be rude. Telling him off is totaly counterproductive! He is saying 'I'm not sure of that twing' then you are hurting him and he thinks scary twing and smack.... The best way is to be totaly relaxed and let him take your vibes, as soon as he starts looking at something and your worried your arms lock and everything blows out..... Relax, build up a good relationship so he trusts you being higher in the pecking order, when he does spook, circle him riding quitely, this way he feels like he is moving his feet and then can think.... Relise its not hurting him and settle *horses don't react anymore then they have to as would waste important energy* It is better not to talk because his ears are vital to him to figer if it's scary. Give him plenty of time to work it out for him self before moving on. After a while horses will mature to relise they needn't worry plus on top of seeing more and boomproof them selves.
 
I agree with the head away technique and use shoulder in if poss. At the moment I ride out in a dressage saddle so keep stirrups long etc.

I just dont know whether to reprimand after the spook, or ignore behaviour and ride forward This sounds more logical to me because it gives the message that it wasnt scary but will she think its ok to do it again? Do you see my dilemma?.

I also think that schooling is fundamental and I know she is not as well schooled as I would like due to a long lay off. She also spooks in the school but in one place so that is easier to deal with by using shoulder in and riding her firmly forward.


The pheasants are a problem- Id shoot them all! I dont tell her off at all if a pheasant flies out of a bush as I do feel thats acceptable! But a twig?????
 
The 'telling-off' issue is an emotive one, isn't it. I think it depends totally on the horse. With some it scares them even more and can make the situation worse, but with others, it can nip the behaviour in the bud.

I believe that horses can be rude and naughty and sometimes need keeping in line, but it depends totally on the horse, and as the rider/teacher, you (as in 'one') need to know the difference between a scared horse, and a naughty one, whether they need reassurance or a reprimanding.

Obviously, if a horse spooks, it's spotted something that's startled it, but the ensuing reaction can be totally over the top, and an excuse to leap about, or nap and make for home. They need to know you're in charge, otherwise they think this is acceptable behaviour.

I try to be open minded about training horses, and have used 'natural' horsemanship techniques in the past for some issues, but also more 'traditional' methods for others. Just depends on the nature of the horse and the issue.

I think that of course horses react in a 'horse' way to things, and we have to understand that, but equally they're not too stupid to take the pxxx out of us, and take advantage of a situation.
 
That sounds really logical to me. Ive ridden for years and lets be honest in the old days it was about horses being told what to do with little consideration of their natuaral instincts. Some of the things I was told to do in the past I would never consider today!

I have felt for a long time that reprimanding with a stick may make me feel as if Im doing something about it but cant really be understood by the horse.

I will definitely try the circling, although it could be difficult in some places, as I have to ride along the edges of farmers fields and obviously dont want to damage crops, but hopefully if I persist where I can things will change.

I also agree about the tension that arises in the rider as the horse spooks. This of course is a natural human reaction and equally difficult to deal with!! Anyone else got suggestions for this!!

Thanks for your response. Any more suggestions will be most welcome.
 
I don't give them a row for spooking, its natural after all. But its the using the spook as an excuse to muck about that I can't be bothered with. Chex is pretty good, but when he does spook he really panics (very very rarely). I think he gets alot of his confidence through me, if my mums riding he spooks a lot more, its like he doesn't feel secure. If I can feel Chex is starting to gaup at something I make him walk past it, but don't make a big fuss.
 
Thanks, I agree with you as well!!! What a problem!!!

The question is do you think the horse can plan these things? Or is the reaction to nap or head for home a natural reaction?
I suspect the latter ( Im not an expert) but it seems more likely to me. I also know that some horses will play- I have one of those! These ones will respond positively when "told off".
As you say it has to depend on the horse.

I suppose the biggest issue with spooking or napping is safety- rider, horse, roaduser/ pedestrians. Therefore it needs to be controlled.

But I do feel fundamentally you have to work with the horse and not against it. And as you say try to understand each animal as an individual.
 
I had an accident 31/2 months ago now. The horse I was riding was a funny sort, never scaried of anything but nappy and excitable. Other horses galloping behind sent my friends horse *Whos never bolted or put foot wrong* bolting which sent my very over whelmed horse at 100mph towards the road leading 2 A27 anyhow he lost his footing and came crashing down landing on my leg *the iron stirrup was even bent* and broke my ankle.... He wasn't worked for the three months I was off then yesterday took him down road.... every time his head went I knew my arms where locking so went totaly loose looked up were going and rode like a nocive child would ride a donkey on the beach! Because this made me loose and horses can really pick up of any tension. Dropping the contact can sometimes help because he then cant read your feelings down the reins. I am totaly aware you couldn't do this on all horses but was just a away to relax human!
 
Positive riding is the best way to prevent spooking. Horses can do it for a number of reasons - a lot of the time it's because they are not being ridden forward, or particularly confidently. Other times it's because they are feeling particularly well.

In your mare's case, I would be concerned that she is able to spin and get away from you. Perhaps more positive riding may help??
 
Thanks.

I think you hit the nail on the head. The predictable stuff is easy. Think positive, ride forward giving the horse confidence.
Sometimes I can feel her tension and then we just walk.

The problem is I sometimes have no true warning signs. Can be trotting along totally relaxed, suddenly whoosh! Jump sideways, spin buck. The trouble is the spin then the buck! If she manages to unseat me in the spin then the buck can be the final straw!

The other problem I think is that I always have to ride alone. I would love to take her out regularly with a bombproof horse, as I think that would help her confidence, but dont have that luxury.

I do feel alot of it is playing! Just sort of know my horse! But essentially she is a really amenable, kind horse and she does get really worried if I do fall off!!
 
I don't mind the odd jump and spook, and I don't tell them off for that. But if that jump and spook turns into spinning, napping, trying to gallop off, bucking or rearing, then I think you've got to do something about it. And whether that's a smack or something else has got to be down to what you know about the horse.

I think the reaction to nap or head for home is natural, and I don't believe horses plan in advance, but I do believe that most horses can control that reaction if they're told they're not allowed to spin and make for home at the first opportunity.

It's about helping them find a way to control their natural reactions, which is what riding is all about, isn't it?! We wouldn't be able to get on them at all if we didn't control their natural reactions!

I was out hacking a young horse the other day on his own, which he's quite happy to do, and he's totally solid in traffic. He spooked once or twice in a minor way, which I ignored, just rode him forwards with a bit of leg. Then he did an enormous spook (no idea what at) and shot sideways accross the road. He got one smack behind the saddle for that.

He pulled a face, but backed down and carried on. Few minutes later, a pheasant flew up making a terrific noise, he did a little jump on the spot, but carried on forward straight away. I was really pleased with him as he'd learnt a lesson, and managed to control himself. He got a big pat for that!!

He's not scared, he's the boldest young horse I've ever known, but he's also the most playful horse I've ever known, and that's fine and part of why I love him, but he's not allowed to take the pxxx out of me or be dangerous! Mum is in charge!!

The other I have is the total opposite. He's not playing, he's genuinely terribly insecure, and telling him off is not the right thing to do. He needs to know you are there for him, and he is happier if you ride him positively, with your leg on and a contact. He can feel you're there, he knows his job, and he gets on with it.

I also think it has a bit to do with his head position also! If his head and neck is up and he's able to gawp at everything around him all the time, he's a disaster!

I would ride a very spooky horse quietly but firmly between hand and leg into a contact with a deep seat, especially on the road. That way, you're there, ready to react with hand or leg if anything happens.
 
I don't take my youngster/problem horses out with other horses in fact I tend not to ride out with others...If one horse spooks things can get pretty hairy like my accident above. Its far better for you to be the confidence giving thing because your *hopfuly* not going to spook. Other people on foot are brillant too. Spooking isn't planned so often you can't do anything about the bird flying out of nowhere. Horses are wired to pick up on suddne movement hence a twig falling is far scarier then a steady car that the horse has heard, and known was coming.
 
I have the feeling that really it comes down to thorough schooling. At least the control aspect of the spook. If the horse is as you say correctly between the hand and leg then he is going to be easier to control.

Hence why the pros horses were so well-behaved. It was a joy to watch them on the road as well as in the school.I wonder whether they took the horses on the road before they achieved that level of schooling?
 
Twig falling!!! No just sticking out of ground/bush!!! Could be a snake I suppose
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Mine is a spooky mare too - which spooks the crap out of me sometimes too! I try really hard not too reprimand because I was told it makes things worse but am afraid this morning I was caught unawares and ended up shouting;

"FFS horse!!!" etc..
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The problem is I sometimes have no true warning signs. Can be trotting along totally relaxed, suddenly whoosh! Jump sideways, spin buck. The trouble is the spin then the buck! If she manages to unseat me in the spin then the buck can be the final straw!

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Oh I know this one so well, my horse enjoys doing this too!
Although sometimes it is a genuine surprised reaction, he also has his 'any excuse' mood, when the slightest leaf, dog, gnat, or person can be the reason for a totally exaggerated spook.

The one positive thing I think to get out of it, is I'm sure that after years of hacking him, those spooks have done far more to make me develop my seat than all my flatwork lessons (the b*gger's yet to get me off with one, touch wood!).

My theory is that he's naturally fizzy and excitable, and sometimes this will take the form of spooks, as he bubbles up on hacks.

I will reprimand him for it if it's a blatant p*ss take, but normally it's a question of getting him working properly and forwards again and not making a huge issue of it.
 
I think its being able to tell the difference from a horse taking the Pxxx and a horse whos reacting how he sees fit. I doubt no one can say there not guilty of mis understanding a horse and telling him off without knowing the cause. because we wee humans cant read there minds....
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With mares I find a growl or kick works best if I were to smack mine too much she would get the absolute horrors with me! If I know Molly is genuinely worried I will coax her forward firmly but if I can tell she is playing the fool (which actually isn't that often as she is genuinely suspicious of everything!) then she will get a sharp smack. In general not making a fuss but just being insistent works for me. Mares tend to 'throw their toys' quite easily!!
 
I haven't read the replies but I de-spook all of my guys. Obviously you can't think of every single thing that they might spook at in life......so what you do is change the way they think for everything. Generally this covers every eventuality.

You have to alter the way the horse views life and modify it's natural first instincts. If you spend a lot of time showing the horse the scariest things you can think of, basically it looks like you are scaring the wits out of the horse, however if you watch them, you will see that they are naturally curious and what frightened them a moment ago will become very interesting to them shortly afterwards.

Use bags, tarps, hooters, flags.....anything you can find. Make plenty of noise and do it over a period of time - don't rush them. You will find that in a quick amount of time, your horse will almost block out all these things and at the least pay no attention to anything but you.

It works, and it works with any horse, it just takes a bit of time and "odd" thinking-styles. Spend this time and you will have a pretty bombproof horse at the end of it.
 
I personally think there are two types of spook : geuine spooks and not so geniune. I don't punish either btw.

When I say not so genuine I mean the type of spooking at home for no good reason, caused be the slightest movement or sometimes caused by apparently nothing at all!!

Dragon did this sort of spooking ALL the time when his owner first got him.

Our trainer told us that she finds that this sort of spooking is linked to horses that are tight over their back and threw their necks. She told us that once we got him relaxed and working through and over we would find that it should get better.

It has!!!

He still takes a lot of concetration when riding, and I have to really focus on getting him soft and round and working forward, but I would say that now he is not really THAT spooky! In fact on hacks he rarely even looks at anything but we don't hack him alone.

The way I've had it explained to me is that if a horse's neck is very tight and stiff it seems like they feel that they would be unable to look at a threat if they needed to and this causes an overreaction to potential threats. Made perfect sense to me
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I know a lot of people producing young horses will long-rein on the roads even before the horse is backed, to get it going forward, past spooky things etc. Someone will be leading at the front at the beginning though.

Then the horse goes back in the school to be backed, but once it's backed, a lot of people start hacking straight away with a schoolmaster, but then venture out alone pretty soon. Otherwise they can get clingy and nappy about going alone.

I think the theory is that hacking is such a good education for them, and gets them going forwards and builds up strength for when they're ready to start schooling. They need to be going forward before they start circles.

I think you're right. You can't do anything much to prevent the spook from happening in the first place, but you can try to be in charge of the reaction. I think schooling has virtually everything to do with it, but also management has a part to play too.

I was thinking about this as I was feeding the horses at lunchtime! I think one has to take a holistic approach and look at the horse's feed/work/turnout programme. If it's getting too much hard feed and not enough work, it's going to be much fresher and more likely to jump about.

Also, any discomfort can turn a minor spook into a major reaction, so saddle/back/teeth could also be an issue.

Just as an example, a horse I had a few years back used to turn every spook into a volley of bucks, which was rather alarming. I had a saddler out to check his saddle, and it was much too narrow for him. The saddle was adjusted, and low and behold, the bucking miraculously stopped, literally from the first hack in the newly adjusted saddle.

How guilty did I feel!!! But that was about 10 years ago, and you learn from these things, and it won't happen again.
 
I put spooking down to too much feed, not being hacked out enough at a slow pace and the temprement and breeding of of the individual horse.
 
We're working my son's pony through his spookiness at the moment. It's interesting and annoying. He's the only animal I own which spooks (although it's only in the school). The rest could have a harrier jump jet land next to them and not bat an eyelid.
The pony spooks because he's resistant and innattentive.
I ignore the spooks and work on my son getting his undivided attention and getting him between hand and leg. The pony drops off the leg very quickly and has clearly used this as a device to have a little passive resistance with children in the past.
I think the secret to stopping spooking lies in your relationship with the horse, the concept of attentiveness is rarely talked about but I think is really important, the horse should be attentive to the rider regardless of how well schooled it is.
 
My last mare, often rode her one hand on buckle other holding mobile... Chatting away tractors etc tumberling past..... Yet if we were coming up to something i was scared of eg big scary dog at number four... or a lorry.. Which she has no fear of and often walks past she would quickly pick up my vibes... then think shes doing me a favour.
 
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