What do you do if you feel your horse is going to spook/nap?

Supertrooper

Supertrooper

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Not out hacking but in school, B has done it with me a couple of times now. Basically goes in a strop and either spooks and/or whips round.

I read in your horse to put horse on a circle anytime you feel them about to, therefore making them work harder.

I do lots of transitions and lateral stuff with him to keep his mind focused. He does understand but finds it mentally hard so don't do long schooling sessions xx
 
hmmm depends personally..I was taught not to turn them away from something they were napping at otherwise they will learn if they nap , they get away with it ? Well jumping anyway. personally, if my horse is being safe ( not bucking/rearing) i tend to make her go past it a few times, but shes v.young.. interested to see what others think :D Xxx
 
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Til doesn't always let you know when she's going to spook plus there are deer and pheasants suddenly darting out of the trees near our schooling area. I try to ignore it and get her focused on something else, i.e I might do lots of transitions or lots of various sizes of circles and different directions for getting the bend.
She used to find it mentally hard and we kept things short but we have built up to longer periods and she is more settled, the more regularly she is worked.

Mollymama - if ther is something visible she spooks at - i.e. a bag on the ground, then in the school or out hacking (provided its safe) then I will have her walk up to it/past it until she settles. I agree with not letting them turn the way they want to - and so turn then back the same way.
 
I try to ignore it as much as possible - keeping them going forward, keeping myself straight and not looking at the offending object (if there is one) helps. Try really hard not to look at it, not to tense up, not to tighten grip etc as all these things make them spook more. Maybe give a feel on the outside rein and a kick with the outside leg, shoulder in past the 'spooky area'. Turning away but not actually going away and as you go past, soften the rein so they relax just as you go by the spooky bit.

I have to deal with this a lot so have lots of different techniques depending on exact scenario! Sorry for rambling!
 
We have a spooky 17h TB, we get our unspookable gelding to stand beside
whatever has spooked the TB (who broke his riders back spooking in a school)
then bring the TB up to stand and look at it beside the gelding, has worked every time so far
 
Gently apply leg in what is hopefully a supportive and encouraging way,rather than an aggressive get on with it way .(that might come later once he has spooked.)Oh yes and then I often fall off
 
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Raise inside hand, apply legs and seat aids, push heels down. Look past the spooky thing, breathe out slowly, ride forward. Tap on shoulder with stick will prevent mine from doing a 'naughty' spook (ie spook, spin, spin in other direction if rider is still on board, attempt to run off bucking). However 'genuine' spooks are not usually violent enough to unseat me!!!
 
Lots of leg, keep weight right back and give with my hands. My old mare was a rearer so if I applied any pressure to the reins it gave her a reason to just retaliate and resist.

I also used lateral work as gets them forward/off your leg and keeps their minds busy! :)
 
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