Spooky Horse pls help (maybe long)

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classybutwild

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Hi wondering if any of you experience horsey people can help.

I have loaned my 15hh cob out to my aunt till i am better as going for back surgery.

(Background) 15hh lightweight cob 10 years old owned for 3 years, prone to lami, fed happy hoof 1 scoop twice a day, turned out 247 alone (own yard).

(Problem):
He has always been spooky, scared of his own shadow, can do 360 in 1 second and run (bad spook) but can be stopped! completely genuine fear no nastiness, wont leave you if you fall off.

Now he has been out of regular work for about a year due to my back problems, but before he was in work, still very spooky got to the point it did un-nerve me but persevered as i love him and i know its genuine fear coz he will shake.

She fell off today!! omg i felt awful, he didn't buck her off but did his big spooks but didn't run off this time he went one way she went the other.

She has been bringing him back into work for the last 2 weeks and he is spooking all the time, she is an experienced rider, now he is one of these horses you would love to have, can ride him in any open space! but u ride him next to bushes, trees, forestry, he turns into a very nervous horse, hacks on the road fine but gives wheely bins a wide birth lol, he is constantly spooking at everything, a suggestion i know your going say is can you ride him in company? well that's not an option as i'm on my own yard, and not got any horses near us, he lost his companion 2 weeks ago, hence being brought back into work to keep his weight down and his mind occupied.

I've not got legal right to take a diy, or the turnout really as i only have an acre, some may frown upon this but everyone keeps there horses differently.

I feel so bad that she fell off i told her everything about him and she knew what to expect, but i love my boy quirks and all but she is starting to feel really uneasy now as she is trying with him and nothing is improving.

I'm now worried that i will get this raving nutter back and wont be able to ride him as i got to take it easy when i first get on due to the surgery, please help and suggestions or advice welcome :(

Thank you for reading and getting this far, tea and cookies xx
 
What leaps out at me is he lost his companion 2 weeks ago and now is being made to work. He is probably grieving and worried as he is now on his own, and his entire routine is changed. Can u get a sheep or goat or shetland to keep him company?
 
Was gonna move him to a friend of mines riding school till i was better but this has fallen threw :( and have looked about for a companion but i can't afford to buy as not got the funds, have asked about for a companion to borrow but nothing yet, he does have 3 geese there and has settled down loads compared to before, i really don't know what to do i go in for an op in 2 days, feel like i could just cry :(
 
He may settle again, i would maybe try and give him a week off myself and let him adjust to change etc. Get your aunt to do some ground work and build his confidence in her and also make him realise she does demand respect and is pack leader. He is also maybe trying it on a bit as she is a New rider
 
Get him company, companions are often free or dirt cheap, or loan from a sanctuary or private home. While he's alone, he's basically on guard/lookout 24/7 with nothing to take over while he relaxes. If you watch a herd, they always take turns to sleep or be on guard. Currently he's permanently on guard, & he's not going to suddenly switch that off when he's ridden. Think how jumpy & vulnerable you'd feel walking around the backstreets & alleys of a rough town alone 24/7, 7 days a week. If someone took you somewhere nice & safe for an hour, chances are you'd still be on edge. Trying to sort his spookiness is a waste of time without removing the cause. If a companions not an option, move to a yard, however inconvenient.
 
Could your aunt just spend time with him in the first instance without asking much so he trusts her a bit more?
She could then progress to groundwork, long reining and then taking him out but maybe getting off and leading in areas where he is likely to spook.
Sounds like he is lacking confidence, and needs to go back to basics for a time?
It would also keep her safe and you from worrying while his mind would be occupied.
Good luck with your op!
 
You could send him for schooling to a small yard where he would be out during the day, and his problems would be sorted out plus give him some proper work.
I feed magnesium to my spooky boy, as well as a lo sugar diet with minerals and vitamins.
 
I would agree about finding him some company. My previous horse lost his companion and became almost unrideable practically over-night. He was fine once my friend got a new horse. We keep both our large horses on little more than an acre.
Its not ideal but with careful pasture management and plenty of hay we manage well. I have kept a horse at my friend's house like this for fourteen years and the horses have not suffered at all being in a relatively small paddock.
 
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