| Horses are programmed to react to things around | | | | object. |
| them and move quickly to avoid danger. But some | | | | A horse that does not seem to get over his fear may |
| horses carry it to the extreme, shying, spinning, bolting, | | | | need more groundwork and trust-building exercises so |
| or rearing when they are frightened. Understanding a | | | | that he looks to the rider for the support he needs. |
| horse's natural fear will help a rider stay calm and bring | | | | Understanding the horse and being sensitive to his |
| the horse back under control. | | | | feelings will help a horse learn that you are a leader |
| Most horses are spooky because of a lack of | | | | that can be trusted. A good rider will also protect his |
| experience. If a horse has never seen a plastic bag | | | | horse from dangerous situations and not ask the horse |
| rustling in a nearby bush, it may frighten him nearly out | | | | to attempt something that might injure him. Horses that |
| of his mind. On the other hand, a horse that has grown | | | | have been rushed into walking down steep gullies or |
| up around farm equipment, barking dogs, and other | | | | scary places will tend to be spookier because of it. On |
| various noisy things may never turn an ear towards it. | | | | the other hand, a horse that has been allowed to stand |
| It all depends on what the individual horse is used to. A | | | | and look and take it slowly through a rough spot will |
| horse that has been traumatized at one point in his life | | | | build confidence in himself and his rider and be much |
| by a certain object may never overcome his fear of it. | | | | more relaxed and steady. Developing this sense of |
| For example, a horse that has fallen or been injured in | | | | trust in the horse is the rider's ultimate goal. |
| a trailer may resist loading in a trailer for the rest of its | | | | Groundwork is one of the best things you can do for |
| life. A rider that can safely work with a horse through | | | | your horse to prevent spookiness when you are riding. |
| obstacles and new experiences will develop a good | | | | Find objects or situations in which your horse would be |
| sense of trust and communication with his horse, which | | | | uncomfortable and safely and calmly introduce him to |
| will lessen a horse's tendency to spook or move | | | | them. Just tucking a plastic bag in your hip pocket as |
| abruptly when startled. | | | | you groom your horse can teach him not to fear it. |
| A horse's eyesight can affect how he reacts. Horses | | | | Rubbing him all over with a folded cotton lead rope |
| do not see directly in front of or behind them without | | | | can help him not to fear being touched. |
| turning or lowering their heads. Sudden movement | | | | A few ideas for crowd exposure for your horse are |
| around a horse's feet or outside his field of vision will | | | | taking him along to a show or rodeo just for the trip. |
| cause him to spook from pure instinct. Even the | | | | Leading or riding around the fairgrounds, other horses, |
| best-trained horse can still be surprised by a sudden | | | | trailers, and busy areas will help him learn to accept the |
| movement or sound from something that is not fully | | | | noise. You can also set up an obstacle course with |
| visible to him. | | | | any number of strange objects, a tarp, mud or water, |
| A rider's actions can also affect the horse's | | | | or a flat bridge to cross. Riding next to farm |
| spookiness. Some riders punish their horses when they | | | | machinery, construction sites, and sheep or other |
| shy at something, which often causes a horse to | | | | animals are also good bomb-proofing experiences. |
| spook worse the next time because his fear was | | | | Don't overdo it. Some trainers use extreme methods |
| heightened by the rider's actions. Anticipating the | | | | of "de-sensitizing" a horse to leaf blowers, pistols, bull |
| horse's spook by stiffening the seat or tightening the | | | | whips, and chain saws. However, these things may dull |
| reins may also add to the horse's nervousness. It is | | | | a horse too much, over-riding his natural instincts to |
| best to stay calm and still when a horse shies. Allow | | | | keep himself and his rider safe. Think about this - if a |
| the horse to turn and look at whatever it is scared of. | | | | bomb literally went off near your horse, would you |
| Give him a moment to snort or stare at the object, | | | | want him to stand and accept it or move quickly to |
| and let him continue on at his own pace. A horse may | | | | safety? Sometimes getting out of the way of danger |
| want to walk closer to sniff or examine whatever it is | | | | is an important instinct for the horse to keep. |
| that he is afraid of. Once he determines that there's | | | | The number one requirement for achieving a safe and |
| nothing to fear, he will ignore it and continue on his way. | | | | steady mount is time spent in the saddle. If you have |
| Forcing a horse to pass closely to something he is not | | | | been with your horse through thick and thin, good and |
| ready to accept can result in a mistrust of the rider | | | | bad, easy rides and tough ones, your horse will have |
| and a greater fear of trail obstacles. The horse will | | | | the foundation he needs to be able to understand and |
| learn to accept strange things on the trail more readily | | | | trust you no matter what comes along. Good steady |
| if the rider does not add to the fear and adrenaline the | | | | horses are the product of a lot of miles with a rider |
| horse may feel the first time he experiences an | | | | they can trust. |