Have you ever been on a trail ride with someone who was riding a nervous horse? Maybe the horse was insecure and easily frightened. Maybe he was unused to being away from his familiar home turf. Or maybe he'd just never learned how to keep his emotions (and body) in check when encountering various surprises on the trail-monster-shaped rocks, deer running through the woods, a boisterous group of riders coming into sight. Possibly the rider wasn't focused enough on her horse, letting him react (and overreact), instead of giving him reassuring directions and requests.
Regardless of the reason, it's likely that the horse wasn't enjoying the experience.
Imagine going on a nice hike yourself and having something startle you enough to make your heart race every few hundred yards. Instead of getting to relax and appreciate your friends and the scenery, you probably wouldn't be having much fun.
If your own horse has a tendency to be jumpy on the trail, take heart. You don't have to head off on a ride anticipating resistance, spooking, crow-hopping and shying, or worrying that your horse might bolt. You can work on various techniques, both on the trail and back home, to gain better control of your horse, increase his confidence, and turn him into a more relaxed, steady trail companion.
We'll break the process down by focusing on these three basic questions:
• What should you do if your horse spooks or starts to panic on the trail?
• What can you do when you ride your horse on the trail to minimize the chances that he will spook?
• What can you work on at home to help reduce his fearfulness and help him develop emotional control?
Defusing a Bad Situation
Do you remember the last time you were truly startled? Maybe there was an unexpected loud noise behind you, or someone suddenly popped out of a doorway and into your path late at night. Think about your physical reaction-did you jump sideways, get ready to run, back up quickly? Did you freeze momentarily as you tried to make sense of what was happening before reacting?
Now pretend that it's your horse who's just been startled. Maybe he'll shy, or jig, or plant his feet and stand frozen for a second. All of those responses give you time to take control of the situation. In fact, your horse usually gives you some sign that he's about to blow up before he does, and that's the moment for you to intervene and try to channel his reactions.
