#spooking

He knows when you've been good or bad, so hide for goodness sake ...

Hello, it’s definitely not uncommon for non-lesson horses to be a bit more sensitive and spooky. They’re probably not being ridden as much and are used to just a few certain people. Don’t doubt your abilities; plenty of advanced riders still get thrown by spooky horses. It’s normal to be shaken up. I go through this with Indy a lot. 

I don’t know what discipline you’re doing or if you’re in a trail or arena setting, but if a horse is spooking I strongly advise against taking up a forward equitation-type of position. Open your hip angle so that you are sitting perfectly centered in the saddle with the ability to quickly lean back if the horse takes off. If you’re having trouble doing this on your own try switching to a western or dressage saddle if you can because they will put you in more of a “chair” seat.

Another important thing is to keep both your leg and your contact. It may be tempting to take your leg off if a horse is surging forward, but you will become less stable if you do so and if you accidentally brush the horse suddenly it will be worse. Consider shortening your stirrups a little to keep your leg steady. You don’t want to squeeze too hard or pinch with your knees, but think about wrapping your legs around the horse’s barrel. This will also help you sit back if need be. 

But overall the best thing you can do is try to prevent the spooking the best you can. The worst thing you can do with a spooky horse is to just keep riding them along the rail. It’s too easy for them to zone out and focus on things other than you. You want to constantly be asking them something to get their attention. Do many random things like leg yields, circles, weaving in and out of cones, turn on haunches, backing up, counter bending, spiraling in and out, etc. Whatever comes to your mind. 

Move them to the center of the arena to get them away from whatever they’re spooking at. Pay close attention to their ears. Everytime an ear flicks away from you, bend the horse in the opposite direction until they turn it back. If bending the horse doesn’t do the trick then switch directions completely. Also don’t try to trot or canter a horse if it’s tense. Wait until the horse relaxes and settles it’s head, neck, and back a bit before transitioning. If you need to stick to a walk almost the entire time then so be it.