Spooky Horse

[Ash]

Hi!

My filly for the most part is calm and level-headed but some things (such as approaching farriers with rasps in their hands or me taking off and putting back on my coat) cause her to leap away. She doesn't seem spooky, per se, but more so jumpy about some things.

I can, however, catch, saddle, mount, and ride for very short periods of time with no problem. I can throw her rain sheet on her without so much as a flinch. I can pick her feet without a halter in the middle of a big arena without her moving away. I take her out the in the forest for walks and she never spooks. She follows a feel really well no matter what I'm doing with her. I feel like we have a lot of things going really well for us.

But I was wondering what you all do in terms of "spook training"? I hate that term and I get the feeling that most of the people on this board don't do much of that in the way of other "trainers" but I was definitely curious to see to what extent you would work on this.

I'm also doing quite a bit with round penning and changing eyes and "line driving" without reins -- just pressing on eyes.

Thoughts?

Thanks, everyone.

Ash

[spadebithorseman]

When I find something that bothers a horse I work on making them comfortable with that one thing. I work on only one thing at a time. The key is you the rider remaining calm in the mind and body so as to show comfort to the horse. Do not hold the horse forcefully near the object or sound, yet do not allow the horse to run away. Apply pressure and release, do not hold pressure constantly.
Use two people or a long lead in the coat situation. Start at a long distance putting on and taking off the coat and decreasing the distance each time your horse becomes comfortable to the movement.
For the farrier situation have a person dressed like a farrier with the tools in hand start by walking toward the horse off to the side untill the slitest detection of uneasiness is noticed and then that person walks on past without further getting any closer to the horse. Work from a distance and slowly close the gap as the comfort increases.
If your horse is only slightly jumpy and does not remain worried for very long it may be just as simple as repeating what bothers them untill they are comfortable with it. Allowing the horse to learn through repetition that no harm will come from this bothersome thing.