Dealing with spookiness

Ways that riders can tackle spookiness in their mounts

source: Sara-Jane Lanning
Horse and Rider March 2001
starts p42, 4 pages long

Riders can try to assess why their horses spook, in order to tackle the problem. Possible causes include pain from tack that doesn't fit properly, lack of concentration, diet, picking up nervousness from a nervous rider, and a frightening environment, such as heavy traffic close by. Riders should stay calm and look away from the feared object, bending the horse away at the same time. They can also get the horse used to objects he might be fearful of. He should be taken to different environments to get used to them, and made to focus on his rider. Hacking with a calmer horse can also help to settle more nervous horses.