Nervous horse

[sosirius]

I bought an older horse over a year ago (9ish years old). He hadn’t done much at that time (small courses, no lead changes, no shows, few miles) but had a lot of potential. However, he is a very anxious, spooky horse despite clear vetting, massage therapy, ulcer treatment, daily turnout, full-time training, etc. He is now able to ride reasonably relaxed in the indoor arena but continues to be very nervous when ridden/hand walked outdoors or at any location that isn’t “home”.

He’s been to a few shows at this point, but is so anxious in the show ring (spooky at any little thing) that he can barely get around crossrails or 2’6" course with a pro. It’s even worse with me aboard (an anxious ammy). Lots of spinning and bolting and just general spookiness (even at things he trotted past just fine 5 minutes ago). He is wonderful most of the time when he’s ridden somewhere he feels safe (read: only my indoor arena) but is miserable to ride anywhere else because he is so unpredictable and has gotten me off/nearly gotten me off many times with his spin and spook or spook and buck. I know my anxiety also doesn’t help but I feel like if a pro has difficulty showing him, what hope do I have?

Would love any thoughts/tips/advice as I really do like the horse. I’ve pushed on thinking he will improve but am losing hope that he’ll ever be a horse I can successfully show

[4LeafCloverFarm]

My experience with horses that are constantly looking for things that might “eat” them, is that it can be one of two things - 1) They are truly high strung/have anxiety and need a supplement/medication to help calm them so they can concentrate on the task at hand or 2) they use every bush. jump. moving tree branch as an “excuse” to act silly which simply requires working through it. If your horse is very green (even at his age, this is possible), its simple something to work through by exposing him to as much as possible and giving him confidence.

Have you tried earplugs? It may be sounds that are bothering him as well as what he’s seeing. And though it might not still be used, I rode a trainer-owned horse once that literally could not go anywhere but the outdoor arena without having a meltdown, and had to be put on Calm & Cool to go a show (but this was in 1991-92, don’t even know if its still around). The horse (I was told) had severe anxiety, like a human does.

[horse_crazyi]

I second the above and will also add - magnesium and Vit B has helped my mare’s spookiness quite a bit. I use Smartpak Calm - there is a definite difference when she is off the supplement.

[merrygoround]

Since you are in your words,an “anxious ammy”, I would continue to have a competent pro ride him at shows and in strange places. This sort of thing is not unusual for a horse that has lead a sheltered life.

It is not unusual even for one who has racing experience. I have fond memories of one eventually winning Three Day horse unloading at the first horse trial and spending a lot of time on hind legs, in hand and under saddle. :eek:

[retiredhorse]

I’ve had success sending nervous horses to cowboy type trainer – he basically takes them out on miles and miles and miles of trail rides (no trails in my area, unless you count riding alongside semi trucks). He started our young horses too. And is just much better with ground work than I am. Friend who hunts says it’s pretty much the same with their horses – they get in some horses that have quit from h/j stuff for various reasons, including anxiety. They get out of the ring and learn to be brave and generally calm down. She’ll send them up a hill if they need something to do, it gets them to work and pay attention to where they’re going and to the rider. It seems to re-set their brain a bit, especially with a solid, confident rider.

Magnesium deficiency can cause some of the nervous reaction too, which is why so many calmers contain it. May not hurt to try it. Also the ear plugs. I think calm n cool is still around, but not legal to show on. Would not matter at home.

OTOH, if you’re really not enjoying this horse and want advice to sell and get another one that’s easier… I think horses are too expensive and time consuming to be more frustrating than enjoyable on a regular basis. Horse might do better with someone else or in a different program/discipline. If you really like this horse, maybe look into a different trainer? Especially if yours is having issues with him too and not getting much improvement. I’m not saying you have to fire your trainer, but second opinion might be helpful. Also could help your confidence to ride a steady schoolmaster type horse that is easy and BTDT, if you have access to one, while in the process of figuring out your own horse.

[beau159]

@sosirius

I bought an older horse over a year ago (9ish years old). He hadn’t done much at that time (small courses, no lead changes, no shows, few miles) but had a lot of potential. However, he is a very anxious, spooky horse despite clear vetting, massage therapy, ulcer treatment, daily turnout, full-time training, etc. He is now able to ride reasonably relaxed in the indoor arena but continues to be very nervous when ridden/hand walked outdoors or at any location that isn’t “home”.

He’s been to a few shows at this point, but is so anxious in the show ring (spooky at any little thing) that he can barely get around crossrails or 2’6" course with a pro. It’s even worse with me aboard (an anxious ammy). Lots of spinning and bolting and just general spookiness (even at things he trotted past just fine 5 minutes ago). He is wonderful most of the time when he’s ridden somewhere he feels safe (read: only my indoor arena) but is miserable to ride anywhere else because he is so unpredictable and has gotten me off/nearly gotten me off many times with his spin and spook or spook and buck. I know my anxiety also doesn’t help but I feel like if a pro has difficulty showing him, what hope do I have?

Would love any thoughts/tips/advice as I really do like the horse. I’ve pushed on thinking he will improve but am losing hope that he’ll ever be a horse I can successfully show

I’m assuming you have horses in your life for YOUR ENJOYMENT. So I would ask yourself: “Is this horse going to get to the point where I can enjoy him?” And know that there is no shame in deciding to sell him and look for something not-nervous for you. Of course, you can decide what is best for you.

If he has only been to a few shows so far, if you do really like him, I would give him more time (with a pro) riding him. Seasoning takes time and they need to learn to handle a show environment. Some season slower than others. They will get through that faster with someone confident on their back. An anxious rider on an anxious horse just is not a good combination, as you know.

So, think about how it took you a year to get him comfortable at home. I would expect it to take a year for him to get comfortable with showing. It’s up to you if you are happy and okay with that … or not!!

[Jackie_Cochran]

I ride other people’s horses. Three or four times my riding teacher has put me on horses who scared easily, and I rode these horses for months (or years.)

I learned, from something I read by Western oriented trainers, was that a horse often needs upwards of four seconds to “process” something new and unusual. The mare (Arab) I was riding at that time spooked at everything that changed in the riding ring or outside the riding ring.

So when she started acting anxious I started to halt her, sit on her with loose reins, and count slowly to ten. At the beginning I might have to do this ten times during my half hour lesson. After a few months she stopped spooking at everything new. Now, years later, I might have to stop her and count to ten once or twice a year (instead of 10 times in 30 min.).

I think that these horses need TIME to LOOK at the scary thing without any distraction from the rider. They need time to process that however scary the new thing may be it will not attack or try to eat them. This can get tedious at first for the rider (oh no, I have to count to ten AGAIN!)

With this particular mare she used to freak out every single time anything at all was changed in the riding ring. Now she just glances at it and moves on quietly. Stopping, counting to ten, and letting her look at the scary thing at her leisure really worked with this mare and with other horses I ride. Occasionally she relapses, I stop, count to ten, she processes it in her brain, and we go on to have a good ride. She just had to learn how to process a scary thing in her brain, and under “normal” training regimens she was never given enough time to learn that she could get over being scared, by herself, without any attempts from me to calm her down.

Good luck!

[skrgirl]

Haul him everywhere and anywhere you can, even if its just to hang out and see the sites. The more places he goes, the better he should get.

[retiredhorse]

Also… Do you ever go to shows just to hang out? Like no pressure to compete or even jump? Or trailer to different barns/schooling shows to get used to going to new places? It’s how we started “showing” our green horses; they go and hang out, maybe do warm up day, maybe just hack around, generally don’t expect them to compete the first time(s) out. Even if they’re schooling 3’ at home.

Could be you’re asking/expecting too much too fast. But I will reiterate that not everyone likes training green horse, especially anxious green horse, which I have no issues with; it works out better all around, imo, to have a horse that suits your ability and temperament and goals. Not one that you have to convince yourself to get on or constantly worry if it’s going to be a good/safe ride. Seen quite a few people lose their confidence and desire to ride due to this.

[sosirius]

Thank you all for the thoughts, tips, and advice!

I do use ear balls, but we haven’t done many “field trip” to go other places without the pressure of showing. So I think that’s our homework this winter. I’m also going to continue full-time training, try Smart Pak, and give him more time to process new things (my approach has usually been to try to keep him moving, which actually might be making him more stressed). I plan to re-evaluate things this spring and decide what I want to do next. I agree-I do this horse thing for fun and when I’m nervous all the time, it’s not fun for me or the horse!

[beau159]

@sosirius

So I think that’s our homework this winter. I’m also going to continue full-time training, try Smart Pak, and give him more time to process new things (my approach has usually been to try to keep him moving, which actually might be making him more stressed).

For a nervous horse who is prone to spooking, it’s maybe not so much about “keeping them moving” but more about keeping their attention on you. Personally, I would disagree with Jackie Cochran’s advice above because (in my opinion) that will cause most spooky horses to continue to spook. My Red is one example. If he was allowed to stop and stare at something, he would BOLT after a few seconds. However, if I re-directed his attention to me and off of whatever it was he wanted to look at, then he would not bolt. That’s how I fixed his bolting problem. When I felt that he wanted to stop and “evaluate” something off in the distance, I immediately starting making him do things (sidepassing, pivot, serpentine, circle, etc) to make him have to pay attention to me because I was asking him to do specific things.

They can’t spook to objects if they aren’t paying attention to them!

So I would encourage you to keep him moving when he wants to be spooky, but make sure it is things that are going to take his attention off the scary object and re-direct him attention to your riding. You don’t have to get excited about (and better that you don’t) so just stay relaxed and “ho hum” in your demeanor but just keep him busy.

[retiredhorse]

One thing that works really well with nervous horse (or any horse, really) is praising relaxation. Don’t make a big deal about it, but a stroke on the neck every time they offer to relax or do something you like tends to make them seek it more.

So does teaching them to relax when you put your leg on, so it means forward without anxiety, so a working w/t/c in itself becomes relaxing. A lot of people go to their hand when a horse spooks or is nervous – that’s a very human trait, to want to fix it with our hands, and our own fear/nervous reaction too, because it’s counterintuitive to apply leg (the “go” button) when horse already feels like exploding, but arm/hand/rein tension absolutely feeds their anxiety. And a supporting leg encourages relaxation – it’s also the same idea of keeping their attention.

This builds trust, and I find horses are less inclined to spook if you’re consistent with this. I wouldn’t praise while horse is spooking, but if I put my leg on and they go forward, I’d rub their neck for that. When they take a breath and relax, I praise for that too. If they’re relaxed from the start, I stroke their neck; if I ask for a transition and they remain relaxed, reward again for it.

I prefer to keep them moving also, but standing still could be something to try too (it sounds like the goal is less of a w/t/c training ride and more of getting horse to relax for the session, even if all you do is halt and walk?). I imagine the counting to ten part also relaxes the rider, especially if you start feeling bored, and that helps horse too.

[Jackie_Cochran]

Usually the first ten or so times I count to ten I do it out loud, with a firm, definite count.

The horse knows I’m there and I talk in a low, confident voice, I’ve seen an ear flick between listening to me, back to the scary thing, back and forth. I DO NOT stare at the scary thing, I ignore it. Speaking from my diaphragm gives my voice some “gravitas”. I keep breathing, my body may vibrate a little from my voice (I had opera lessons in my teens), I act bored, my legs are mostly relaxed (frictional grip, heels down), I sit upright in the saddle and breathe. If the horse wants to take up contact with my sagging rein it is OK with me, and I keep my fingers soft and relaxed.

I just ride for half an hour. Using this method I have had the horse peacefully walk past the scary thing (though they may keep an eye on it) before the end of the lesson/ride. The worst case took around 6 months before she decided that life was not that scary after all. Now she is my “steady Eddie” who I ride when I have an MS exacerbation, horrible balance, tremors in my body, and terribly weak–she just keeps on walking peacefully past stuff that used to horrify her.

[findeight]

What potential did you see in him?

Not being snarky,it’s an honest question. What about him made you think he would learn all he didn’t know and suit a self admitted anxious Ammy? What was he doing in the 9ish years before you bought him?

Thing with these still green middle aged horses is sometimes there are reasons they are still green and it’s not nobody had time. Horses are expensive to keep around if they aren’t productive. Some never develop much of a work ethic and change hands several times making getting an honest history difficult. You’rely on what your seller told you and that’s often what they were told when they bought it.

IME and opinion, this horse possibly just never went anywhere often enough to get used to being away from home and probably skipped some basic training steps if he forgets his training when he steps off the trailer. Your only shot is consistent and frequent rides away from home along with plugging the basic obediance training holes and instilling confidence and trust in his rider. That has to be done by a very confident rider who does not get nervous. One who can " sit chilly". If that’s not you, you need to find one. He’s going to be 10ish very soon and every year he continues this makes it harder to reverse.

Have you investigated a different trainer better equipped to handle this? Offhand if your current Pro could not get him around crossrails yet went in 2’6" as well he is A) not ready to be jumping at a show at all and you are B) in need of better help with him.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Another thing you can do at your barn, is to take everyday things (brooms, rakes, coat/sweater, muck bucket, feed bucket, small tarp, etc.) and use them to “decorate” a part of your arena. A bucket upside down on a standard, a sweater draped over the railing of the arena, a muck bucket leaning on a ground rail, a tarp draped over a jump… you get the idea. Normal things out of place make something familiar look different. The idea is to be able to ride (or hand walk) the horse through these odd looking things where they don’t even notice anything is odd about it.

Praise when he is relaxed and shows no fear of anything. Use treats for a job well done. Since you know the arena, and you are placing/making the scary things, you should be fairly relaxed showing it to him. Just keep repeating the exercise, moving things around each time, until he can see nothing to look at. This will help your confidence in him as well.

I used to play this game with my Morgan I was bringing along. I needed to be able to hand walk and ride on very narrow roads, trail ride through all sorts of properties by myself and needed him to just ignore or not over react to new things. Trail rides (short at first - maybe even ponied the first time) are a great way to expand a horses horizons. But you, the rider, must have enough confidence in your horse to add this to your repertoire.

[kiwichick]

I had one that got worse and worse everytime I took him out, he was so talented, but could not cope with show atmosphere. I tried a lot of things, including changing disipline (initially helped, but then the slow slide into unrecognisable occured) I had him for a few years and sold to a low pressure home. They took him out and same happened to them, he was eventually sold to a home that didnt show.
He is the only one ive ever come across that didnt improve, but they are out there.