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  Discussion on Horse Scared of Things Behind Him
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Member:
njen

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 21, 2010 - 2:50 pm:

My horse is usually quite sensible but he seems overly sensitive to sounds, movement, whatever behind him. When he gets scared, he will DrOp his hind end and scoot forward. He hasn't bolted and I'm able to bring him back within a few strides, but it is very unnerving. Is there anything I should do when this happens? Is it better to let him look behind him and see nothing is there? I've read about the one-rein stop and wonder if that should be my first action. He just seems to get startled by things without warning.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 21, 2010 - 9:59 pm:

Is he an Arab by any chance? My Arab mare used to do that constantly when she was younger. I swear her own tail would scare her! She did outgrow it thankfully.

Is he nervous in general? I would suggest doing a lot of work with a calm down cue. Lift your outside rein up a bit, and take the slack out of your inside rein; he should DrOp his nose then. Release, and walk on, then repeat.

If you've ever read any of my posts about Tango, these- boot- scooting- wanna- jump- out- of- their- skins type need to have a confident leader and the more things you can do to send signals of reassurance the better he will be.

It sounds like you are trying to hold him straight when you ask if he can look behind him? Are you perhaps holding him tight and making him more nervous? Again, teaching him a few calming cues, and trusting him, will make a world of difference.

He sure sounds like he is bolting if you are having to stop in "in a few strides."

By the one rein stop are you meaning pull his head around and disengage his hindquarters, or put one hand on his neck, one rein tight, and pull up with the other rein?

Are you on trails, or in an arena? How old is he?

The more you can post here, the more ideas we'll all come up with!
Member:
njen

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 22, 2010 - 9:40 am:

He is 7 yrs old and a mutt (TB/QH/draft). He is actually pretty quiet most of the time. I used to have a TB so I know what you mean by the skittish mentality. But Monty is pretty steady and isn't looking for things that might scare him. I get the feeling that he had a traumatic incident before I got him where something came behind him and scared him. He has done this when we've been on a trail (but when he's leading it doesn't happen) and in the field where we ride. He's done it when we're just on the buckle relaxing or when there's contact. I guess I don't think of it as bolting because he's not running off. It's like if there was a loud noise behind you and you jump out of the way but don't run for the hills. I guess I'm hoping that this will lessen as we develop a more trusting relationship. I've only had him a few months.
The one rein stop I was referring to was where you disengage his hindquarters, but I think I use the other one more. I've never tried the one rein stop but am willing to try anything. Thanks for the reply!
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 22, 2010 - 10:15 am:

Hmmmm...have you done any ground work walking away with a scary object like plastic tied to a lunge whip? Or dragging a tarp behind you as you walk away? How is he if you approach with something noisy/scary? I would do all kinds of approach and retreats with different things and watch his reaction. If he don't care about those things from the ground, then move on to noise. Can you chew gum and pop bubbles/crack your gum? (Tango used to jump out of his skin over that! I am a sucker for troubled horses.)

In short what I am suggesting is do some detective work and see if you can figure out what he is afraid of: Noise? Movement? Both?

And don't forget the obvious: Is the saddle fit o.k.? Or does something pinch him? I take it you are riding English since you said about "on the buckle" (I have no clue what that means, lol!)so it's probably not a back cinch bothering him. But it always helps to start with the physical and then move on the mental part of the horse.

A few months together may not be long enough to know each other. Maybe if you ignore the behavior it will go away since he'll figure it's no big deal to you so why should he worry about it?

Good luck, stay safe.
Member:
lilo

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 22, 2010 - 10:37 am:

I agree with Angie's suggestions - like dragging a tarp behind you as you lead - also a plastic bag tied to the end of a stiff whip (or carrot stick, if you are into Parelli) - dragging it in front at first, so the horse follows it, and finally be able to touch the horse all over with that noisy but harmless plastic bag. I occasionally have to refresh my gelding's memory with those exercises.

I remember reading that John Lyons suggested letting a horse looking behind him when riding along a road and having a car coming up from behind. With my guy it is mostly noisy things that get to him, like a car pulling a rattly trailer.

Good luck,
Lilo
Member:
njen

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 22, 2010 - 10:38 am:

Great ideas. I have done groundwork where I've had him walk over tarps and such and he's a gem. But I didn't think of trying to distinguish between noise and/or movement. Good things to work on during the winter. (And I do ride English!) Thanks!
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