by Alta Brewer

Created on: February 15, 2007   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

How to handle a horse that spooks is safety first. Safety for yourself and safety for the horse.
Try to identify what your horse is spooking at. The horse sees it as a predator that will eat it, regardless as what the object is. We will use the term "predator" as the object.
You are riding along nice and calm, almost as though your horse is sleep walking. You and your horse are relaxed and enjoying the ride - BAMM - your horse jumps, head up, ears perked and he puffs up like a blowfish making himself larger and taller and ready to run as fast as he can in the other direction. Your heart is pumping so fast, almost as though it is about to jump right out of your chest.

1. Take control. If your horse is wanting to turn, you turn him. Keep him turning until he seems to settle down a little.
2. Give him something else to think about. Don't let the horse stand still, keep his feet moving by giving him commands that he can do. Move him left, move him right. Turn him in another circle. But keep him moving. By keeping him moving you are taking his mind off of the predator and making him think of his commands that he has been taught.
3. Move him in slowly in the opposite direction of the predator, then turn and go toward the predator, keeping the horse moving. Side step him, back him up one or two (2) steps, go in little circles, turn him left then turn him right. You will get a few steps from the predator and then you will move toward the predator.
4. Keeping the horse moving will build confidence in your horse. And before you and your horse know it, you are past the predator and no harm has been done.
5. Work on ways to handle a horse that spooks at the barn or in a pasture. Using the same techniques from the ground before you leave the horses safety zone will build confidence in yourself and in your horse.

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