Lol! I guess that’s a very good point!
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Unless @mustang_levi says they tried to make the post that was attributed to @J-Lu, I think this was just a case of J-Lu mistakenly posting on the wrong spooky horse thread.
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I hope i haven’t overloaded you too much.
My normally laid back horse suddenly started spooking and bolting and bucking for no apparent reason.
I am ashamed that it took me so long to figure out his saddle needed to be reflocked.
In later years he started to get spooky again , so I had a vet do a lameness exam.
My horse had some arthritic changes. Equiox made a huge difference for him.
Ruling out pain should be the first approach imo.
A horse may appear to be spooking at something around him, but is actually reacting to internal pain or discomfort.
Something else to think about is whether this is the horse for you. Some people like a reactive sensitive horse. I can deal with it but I don’t want to. If you like to go on trails but your horse does not, it’s not going to be a pleasant experience for either one of you.
I really do hope you find a solution.
Good luck.
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I sincerely apologize for my response to you! @Moderator_1 was right - I posted to the wrong thread.
Your advice here is really excellent. I’m soooooo sorry for my post in response to your really excellent response to the OP, I was obviously on the wrong thread.
(I’m sorry!!!)
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I kind of want to read this other thread now… 
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I am so happy to talk about my fabulous mustang Levi! He was one of those “horse of a lifetime” horses. My friend adopted him when he was 4 or 5 and hadn’t been ridden. Levi came from the Nevada desert. He was enormous-much taller than the other mustangs and later topped out at 17.1 hands. He obviously had some Percheron in him, we’re guessing. He was always gentle. Although owned by my friend at the time, I would ride him on trail rides while she rode her other mustangs. She had several mustangs, and all were amazing trail horses. Later, I became the official owner of Levi. He was so fun to ride with his big, broad back and easy going personality and smart! I often rode him with only a bareback pad and a hackamore. He never spooked. He easily took on any trail obstacle. I used him for a Partner in Equine Therapy program too. We could put all sorts of kids on him, some who didn’t have much control of their bodies. Levi was always so gentle with the kids. I had him into his early thirties before he died of bladder cancer. Amazing horse and in a way he spoiled me. I bought my current horse after Levi died, I was lost and heart broken without a horse. I decided to buy a quarter horse because I wanted to keep trail riding, but this current horse, Buddy, is a challenge because he’s so spooky. I can’t just sit on Buddy passively like Levi. Levi took care of the rider. Buddy expects you to know how to ride and if you don’t-well, too bad! It’s like night and day, the difference between my mustang and my quarter horse. I"m not sure if all mustangs are such great trail horses or Levi was the exception, but now I have to really ride and keep my wits about me!
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Apology accepted.
We’re good 
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Holy smokes - 17.1! Such a sweet story and so happy to hear he lived so long. That’s funny you say that about him spoiling you. I grew up with QHs and they were so steady and reliable and it was easy. Then I got an Arab and always say I thought I knew how to ride until I got an Arab. Like riding a shark sometimes! That little dude would do a 180 in a second if something jumped out. We sure do learn from these guys but it’s better to be 30 when we’re doing that learning.
Like you, I’m over 60 now and realizing I don’t want to get launched and hurt.
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I hear you! I looked at a gorgeous Arab before I bought Buddy, both were about the same price, but my friend who owned Arabs said, “Do you want to ride a pogo stick, or a horse?” So I picked the AQHA! And still got a pogo stick-but only when he gets scared. That’s what started this interesting thread of asking people how they calm anxious and spooky horses. Buddy (his stable name, registered name is Day Money Mac, which makes me think he was bred for racing!) has “launched” me 3 times. At nearly 70 it’s a miracle I haven’t broken anything yet. So when he did the 180 spin and bolt the other day, I wanted to cry, yell, (while hanging sideways on the saddle, gripping the horn) curse, and sell this horse. Why don’t I? 99% of the time, he’s the best. In the arena he’s so fun. Very athletic! The horse is so sensitive to aids. I can move him with my legs and seat-lateral work, circles, transitions. I’m rediscovering dressage because he’s so fun doing dressage stuff. Dang it on the trail rides though! And on the ground, this guy has all the manners. Ties, stands, likes head rubs. Loves my 6 year old granddaughter, who leads him around like a puppy dog. And sound as a dollar. It’s just not knowing when he will be set off on the trail. So the comments here have helped a lot. Basically, I"m getting off each time he tenses up! And doing my best to listen to his “nervous system” say “Overload! I can’t handle this!” You out there with calm horses are so lucky to have it all! PaddockWood-you grew up with AQHA horses, were they all so easy and gentle? This guy has Three Bars, Two Eyed Jack and Triple Chick breeding on both sides. From what I’ve researched, all sound pretty hot-blooded. Are you familiar with any of those horses?
Not in detail. My QH days were, oh now, 45 yrs ago? Ouch that hurts to write. What I do have a strong opinion about is you need to stay safe and he needs to be relaxed. He’ll feel better. Can’t you ride out with someone instead of alone?
Can you put him on the buckle off the mounting block and riding out (with someone)? Where does he start getting upset?
I think there’s something physical going on.
I had to tell someone the other day we’ve been friend for 53 years and that hurt too, although I’m proud we’ve remained friends since high school-and both of us still have horses and ride!! Yes, my Buddy can be ridden on the buckle, off the mounting block. he’s a sweet horse, honestly. I can ride out with a friend, which I do when my friend is available to ride with me. I can walk and trot this horse on a loose rein but at a canter, he just gets fast, really fast. I keep saying, “he’s 12, but acts like he’s 4.” He stays relaxed on the trail until he sees something “spooky” then it’s like his mind just goes from zero to 60. I hate that. Will keep working on it though. Horses are what I retired to do more of, and he has been such a project!
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Honestly given your situation I would see if you can trade or sell to a younger rider who wants the speed and agility and find a horse that is happier on the trails.
People often talk like trail riding is the default job of uneducated horses but a lot goes into making a solid trail horse and there is talent involved too. Some horses are brave and some are not, whether that means leaving the herd or facing scary things.
I’ve always loved trail riding alone and for me going out alone is a basic expectation for a horse.
My current Paint mare can be balky before she warms up, but she has always been willing to ride out alone either from the barn or off the trailer. She’s super alert so nothing sneaks up on us, and the rare times she startles she is embarrassed and calms down as soon as she realizes what it was. She can go through deadfall and rough ground if you ride quiet on a loose rein and can use her butt to get down steep hills. She is not spooked by cattle, she wants to go push them around. Etc. I’ve given her lots of exposure to both suburban streets and mountain back country and tried hard to do nothing that would negatively impact her courage, only good experiences.
My horse as a kid was a little wildie who rode out alone, was happy to gallop everywhere, was brave and super sure footed on mountain trails. She did have a spook over a couple categories of things but it didn’t impact our trail riding at all.
I’ve seen people at my barn with horses that are herd bound, fussy, spooky, anxious on the trails, and it’s a very long road, not sure any of them turn into trail horses.
I’m in my early 60s and my good mare is 20 now. I’ve been riding her 14 years. She was green when I started with her but I always felt safe on her even when she was being naughty. If I look forward to what I will do when she ages out, if I’m still trail riding, I will absolutely go for safety. We don’t bounce well as we age, and a horse like you describe is no fun on the trails.
On the other hand Levi sounds like a dream trail horse, and a wonderful part of your life.
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Horses should get their teeth done at least once a year.
I have ridden 2 quarter horses. Both were advanced horses and not suitable for beginners. I can not see why I have had this experience and every one says to get a quarter horse for a quiet horse.
You were so lucky with Levi.
Maybe a standardbred would be better for you. They are usually quiet and the pacing is supposed to be very comfortable for trail riding and you don’t seem to be worried about taller horses.
For your horse, the first thing I would do would be to get his teeth done, then figure out the fecal water, 3rd I would take him off all grain. JMHO.
Honestly the OTSB at my barn, currently have 7, all different owners, are a handful. They are still race horses. It’s hard to get them calm in trails or moving in a coherent fashion under saddle.
QH have all kinds of performance lines and very diverse in confirmation and personality.
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Have you checked for Lyme? That caused my TB to suddenly start spooking. It did go away with the Lyme treatment. Of course he may just be spooky. But worth a shot.
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I have found Succeed to help. it’s a hind gut ulcer treatment.
my horse got better after treating w supplements. Succeed and Ulcer Erasers from Horse Elixirs have helped. I also use their aloe powder
I like Animed Viacalm with hemp and Mare Magic. Takes the edge off for sure.
