Training body to sit back when horse spooks

[mar2505]

When my horse spooks I automatically go forward and hunch over his neck. I cannot make myself get back and because he does not spook that often I dont get much chance to override my brain.
The other day on a hack the others were in stiches cause i was so far up his neck that the horse just kept jogging. Any Advice

 

[attheponies]

Not much in the way of advice, just to say I'm doing exactly the same since a nasty incident with a bird scarer! Looked at my reflection in a window and realised I'm in real jockey style "crash position"!

 

[Chavhorse]

Just remember to sit down....easier said then done when your first reaction is OMG

 

[kerilli]

i think as long as your lower leg position is really secure, it doesn't matter too much if your upper body goes forward a bit... and if they start mucking about, sometimes having your bum out of the saddle is the best thing, they can't use all that power to send you into orbit!
Lucinda Green uses the image of having a huge metal spike sticking out of the pommel to get riders to sit up xc, she calls the area in front of the saddle the 'danger area' and that seemed to be pretty effective.

 

[Tharg]

Concentrate on keeping your head up and that will help, the head is the heaviest part of the body.

 

[mar2505]

Thanks, my body was not even nervous when he spooked the other day and trotted off, I was so busy chatting however its natural reaction was to go forward, hence when I get nervous I may as well chuck myself off over his head as I am clinging to the reins down by the bit rings.............