Spooky horse

[Bluesy]

Hello,
I have a young mare who has always been quite jumpy, sharp and spooky , This week I took her down a new canter track and she wanted to bolt as fast as possible to the end. She has been treated for ulcers . When she spooks she shoots forward quite fast. I am having riding lessons. Is there anything I can try , maybe calmer or anything I myself can do ?

 

[AmyMay]

Usual questions;

What are you feeding?
How much turn out does she get?
How old is she?
What breed is she?

 

[mini_b]

After ALL tests where exhausted my old horse was always jumpy and spooky because a) they had corpora nigra cysts so random spooking had to just be acceptable if they weren’t fully in between leg and hand. Even if they were you sometimes got a nice surprise exit.
b) every time it hit grass it meant f*ck off due to previous education. This was re trained eventually but still sometimes happened if the mood struck
c) some personalities are more excitable than others and a small spook on a scooty horse is more dramatic than a small spook on a ploddy horse.

without sounding condescending, how old is your new mare and how experienced are you?
Do you canter in same place every time?

 

[Miss_Millie]

Groundwork groundwork groundwork. So that you have the tools to calm her in these situations, before they get out of hand.

 

[Bluesy]

Usual questions;

What are you feeding?
How much turn out does she get?
How old is she?
What breed is she?

I’m feeding a cool mix as recommended by my instructor, I also feed feedmark best flex ha and protexin acid ease

She gets full turnout at the moment only comes in for feed and ride

She is a 6 year old Connemara x Warmblood

thank you

 

[Bluesy]

After ALL tests where exhausted my old horse was always jumpy and spooky because a) they had corpora nigra cysts so random spooking had to just be acceptable if they weren’t fully in between leg and hand. Even if they were you sometimes got a nice surprise exit.
b) every time it hit grass it meant f*ck off due to previous education. This was re trained eventually but still sometimes happened if the mood struck
c) some personalities are more excitable than others and a small spook on a scooty horse is more dramatic than a small spook on a ploddy horse.

without sounding condescending, how old is your new mare and how experienced are you?
Do you canter in same place every time?

My mare is 6 and I have been riding for a while including racehorses, I’m wondering if she’s just young and low on confidence , no we canter in new places and don’t always canter, for example when we go down the track sometimes we just walk , I will never say I’m a good rider as I always believe there is more to learn , I also worked on a few yards, if it was someone else’s horse I would be able to suggest something but seems I’ve hit a brick wall with my own !

 

[dorsetladette]

I'd stop the feeds now as the grass is coming through it sounds like she has to much energy.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

I’d stop the feeds aswell mine is so much calmer with a tiny bit of chop (thunderbrooks) and a balancer I’m sure I’ve heard a few people say that cool mix made there horses more spooky than usual aswell I’ve never tried it comment thougu

 

[Red-1]

I would just do a chop and balancer too.

Cool mix can have molasses in, plus mix is generally higher in starch than some feeds.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

All mixes these days seem to be full of molasses. Could just be a sugar overload for her. I would definitely cut out the mix to start with.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Cut out the feed as others have said and I find you have to work spooky horses and give them difficult things to think about so they focus on you not there surroundings.

I would do some schooling on your hacks to get her listening do some leg yield shoulder in and keep them to a walk for now and short.

I have even schooled mine before a hack if I think he will be full of it.

 

[cauda equina]

Acid Ease contains alfalfa which can affect behaviour in some horses

 

[scruffyponies]

When she feels like she's going to go forwards, how do you react? Are you able to sit deep into the saddle and keep your seat (and hands, as far as is possible) relaxed?
Some horses react to the rider tension on the reins as a signal to go, so getting used to communicting with your seat as much as you can will really help.

I tell the kids my sandwiches are under their bum, and they should try to squash them. With my shetland this really is the difference between complete control and p***ing off into the distance at a gallop.

 

[exracehorse]

Go out with a Steady Eddie hacking buddy. And just stick to walk. Only trot on the road. If you feel she’s full of beans.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Hello,
I have a young mare who has always been quite jumpy, sharp and spooky , This week I took her down a new canter track and she wanted to bolt as fast as possible to the end. She has been treated for ulcers . When she spooks she shoots forward quite fast. I am having riding lessons. Is there anything I can try , maybe calmer or anything I myself can do ?

I go out with a friend whose horse is very spooky. Going out with me on a big fat plod is part of the plan. (!) Also she stops & does part of a dressage test here & there when we come to a flat area, to distract him & get him listening to her. I don't know what he eats but I could ask if you think it will help?

 

[Zoeypxo]

My mare had a cool mix once and it sent her mental, wouldn't use it again!

 

[Loveponies]

I have a very spooky reactive type . I have tried diff feeds, no feed, groundwork, magnesium , walking out in hand, hacking with steady companion but no significant change. He has been on a non magnesium calmer for last 6 weeks - no improvement for first 3 weeks infact he was worse but the last three he is a different horse - totally chilled and no spooking just the odd " look". He usually has high head carriage with ears very pricked forwards at all times - last 3 weeks head low and ears generally relaxed and floppy. I am amazed as I really didn't think it would help. I am still not convinced it will work long term but may be worth you trying.