February 2010

Spooking is a natural equine reaction to frightening things.

See The World From Your Horse’s Perspective

Put yourself in his mind to deal with spooking or disobedience.

By John Straussburger

Spooking, shying and refusing to work or obey are the biggest problems common to riders in all disciplines. They often evoke the most fear among inexperienced riders, and they’re one of the problems most often dealt with poorly by inexperienced and more experienced riders alike.

That’s because people often fail to understand that horses do not think like humans. They’re not extra-large, vegetarian humans wearing fur coats. We are predators; they are prey animals. Their species has survived for millions of years by being ever alert, by scanning the distance and their surroundings for danger.And a couple of thousand years of domestication and the seemingly safe, warm place you keep…