26/ DECEMBER 2021 THE RIDER How To Ride A Spooky Horse Calmly


By Anne Gage for The Rider De- cember 2021


How do you handle it when


you’re riding a spooky horse? Does it completely unsettle you? Or your horse? It doesn’t have to. When you


know how to calm yourself and your spooky horse. As I rode my client’s horse re-


cently, I was very aware that the wind had picked up. And the horse was very aware, too! The strong gusts of wind were


blowing the autumn leaves from the trees. And we could hear the staccato “tick... tick ........ tick” as they randomly hit the windows


around the arena. I knew there was a strong potential for the horse to spook in this situa- tion.


And, just to keep it interesting


... an occasional branch tapped on the window, too. I knew the horse was worried.


He’d been unsettled when I was tacking him up. I always pay atten- tion - and really listen - to the horse’s behaviour. Your horse’s behaviour is his


communication. And there are many ways that horses communi- cate that they’re feeling anxious or nervous. • Not being able to stand still (i.e. dancing in the cross ties)


Karen Dallimore, OAC ‘85 Great Beginnings


Horse Basics is a coaching service for horses and their handlers based in Orton, Ontario. Call me to find out how I can help you with


handling and husbandry, goal setting, Extreme Cowboy obstacle work, recreational riding or just plain enjoying your horse. For more infor-


mation visit my website at www.horsebackwriter.net/horse-basics or find me on FB at Horse Basics.


Sweet Grass Farm, Orton, Ontario


519-855-1127 • karen.dallimore@gmail.com www.horsebackwriter.net • @horsebackwriter


• Grabbing things with their mouths (i.e. lead ropes, halters, etc) • Staring eyes (not blinking) • Tight, tense mouth and/or chin • Tented upper eye lid (similar to our raised eyebrow) • Pinched or flared nostrils I don’t enjoy riding a spooking


horse anymore than anyone else does. It’s easier to manage a spooky horse from the ground than it is to ride a spook. I always start by doing some simple groundwork that the horse is familiar with and can do eas- ily even when he’s feeling a bit stressed. As you work with your horse,


pay attention for subtle signs of ten- sion - the tented upper eyelid, flip- ping ears and high head all clearly communicate that your horse is not feeling safe. You might work with your


horse at liberty - as long as he isn’t going to simply run around increas- ing his adrenaline. Focus on helping him to do quiet work in hand, free lunging or on a lunge line at walk and trot in both directions. Even doing a bit of in-hand work over poles - keeping it simple - helps to give his mind something else to focus on. After a few minutes of simple


groundwork, if your horse hasn’t spooked and he appears less tense, you can choose whether to end your


session there (on a good note) or get on to ride. Don’t Rush a Nervous Horse -


Rather than forcing your horse to face up to something that scares him, give him the freedom to move away from it. Horses naturally move away from things they aren’t sure about. They like to check it out from a dis- tance where they feel safe. If you decide your horse has


calmed down enough to be ridden, take your time with each step. Take your horse to the mounting block. Can he stand still? If not, there’s still some tension you need to help him release. Your horse is only ready for you to get in the saddle when he can stand still for mounting. It’s important that your horse is


relaxed as you get in the saddle. The less tense he feels, the less chance that he will spook. Once aboard, walk only in the


area of the arena where your horse feels safest - his comfort zone. Keep- ing him on a circle gives you more control if you do have to ride a spook. Gradually, expand the area in


which you’re riding. As soon as you notice any tension, go back to his comfort zone so he can relax. Then venture out a bit further again. Keep repeating these 2 steps and you’ll find that your horse’s comfort zone slowly expands.


and veterinarian approved.


recommended,


Brooks Feeds is highly


Jones Feed Mills Heidelberg Linwood Wroxeter


Carley Stewardson, DVM Veterinarian Approved Capree is a 2015 Oldenburg mare (Checkmate x MJ Fusion


x Ferro) owned by veterinarian, Dr. Carley Stewardson. Capree was purchased one year ago as an underdeveloped


mare with miles of potential. We struggled with her feeding pro- gram for months before contacting Laurie Bishop at Brooks Feeds. Laurie’s information on ingredients and ration formulation was transparent and based on the latest research available. With the goal of competing in the FEI 1.40m+, a properly balanced, palatable, high quality feeding program has been of utmost im- portance to developing this young athlete. We started a strict in- dividually tailored Brooks Feeding Program that consists of a combination of Eeze, Fibre O and Flax Appeal. Laurie expertly adjusted her program to include supplements to ensure she was meeting exact nutritional require- ments for her life-stage, growth, and competitive goals. Since beginning this feeding program, she has not only excelled in her development and


growth, but her temperament as well. Her talent and capability have surpassed all expectations we have ever had for this mare. Alongside international FEI rider Hashem Zaghloul, Capree is now successfully competing and winning at the Silver Series Grand Prix level in her first show season at Angelstone Tournaments as a 6-year-old. She is showing great potential to move up in the levels as she continues to thrive and develop throughout her career as a showjumper on this feeding program. Brooks Feeds is highly rec-


ommended, and veterinarian approved for any owner looking to support growth and develop- ment of a young horse striving to become a competitive win- ning athlete. Carley Stewardson, DVM


MB Country Living Canborough Fonthill Fulton


Niagara on the Lake Stevensville Wainfleet Waterford


North Wellington Co-op Durham Hanover Harriston Mt. Forest


Post Time Services Fenwick, Mohawk Fort Erie Race Track


Sharpe Farm Supply Desboro Fergus


Freelton Guelph Moffat


Shelburne Uxbridge


Animal House Limited, Ayr B & L Farm Services, Chesley Brooks Feed Store, Port Perry Budson’s - Farm & Feed Co., Erin


519-699-5200 800-265-8735 519-335-3555


905-774-5498 905-892-0322 905-643-3754 905-685-7353 905-382-7878 905-899-3431 519-443-7770


519-369-2415 519-364-4777 519-338-2331 519-323-1271


905-658-2557 905-658-7225


519-925-3119 519-843-2451 905-659-3341 519-837-0510 905-854-2242 519-794-2327 905-852-3355 519-632-5048 519-363-3308 905-985-7992 519-833-2002


Davis Feed & Farm Supply, Caledon 905-584-2880 Durham Farmers Co-op, Grafton Durham Farmers Co-op, Orono


905-349-2411 905-983-9134


Hillsburgh Feed & Supplies, Hillsburgh 519-855-4403 Nobleton Feed Mill, Nobleton Skinkle’s Pet Supplies & More


905-859-0762 613-395-0899


Starfra Feed Service, Douro-Dummer 705-740-2697 Stick N Stone Tack Shop & Feed Sundridge


The Split Rail Country Store, Stratford 519-273-1881 Tottenham Feeds, Tottenham Walters Falls Milling, Walters Falls Wilton Tack, Odessa, ON


519-794-2747 613-386-3514


Wright’s Feeds ’N Needs, Blackstock 905-986-4201


705-492-0174 905-936-4163


Some days getting a nice, relaxed walk in your


horse’s (or your) comfort zone is enough. And it’s still a good ride. Use Quick Techniques To Calm Yourself and Your Spooky Horse If your horse does have a startle or a spook that sets your adrenaline running you can calm yourself quickly by: • Exhale deeply - make your exhale longer than your in- hale • Soften your eyes to open your peripheral vision • Speak softly and calmly to your horse (e.g. “we’re okay now”) • Go Back To The Comfort Zone (for yourself and your horse)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47