How To Ride A Spooky Horse 🐎

In this video, I discuss how to ride a spooky horse. While all horses can spook, some will more than others based on their personality, age, and past experiences.
I know it can be challenging working with a horse that tends to spook. There are many reasons why this can be happening and a lot of different ways to approach the issue.
When training a horse that tends to spook you want to gain their focus. A horse that is always spooky is not focused on you, but rather on their environment. With some training eventually, you can get a horse to look to you for direction, but it is important that the rider be relaxed and confident as well during this process.
I wish you success when working with your spooky horse. Feel free to leave any questions 😊
0:00 Example of Horse Spooking
0:38 Why A Horse Spooks
1:37 Exercises For A Spooky Horse
2:42 How To Ride A Spooky Horse
5:52 Words of Encouragement
DISCLAIMER: Whenever learning something new I recommend having an equine professional present.
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[@JSHorsemanship]

I hope these tips help :) Feel free to leave future video ideas or questions.

[@Zixcify]

Oops, I usually come first....but I'm late now...This video is so marvellous and informative...will wait for more Horses video...Thanks for uploading...Bai!

[@Whenyouhaveabird]

I vid idea is how to clean a stable that what I be doing for living ;-;

[@tanyapurcell6819]

I have an anxious nervy horse she is great in the fact she does not bolt or spin and I am supporting her whenever she is fearful. Riding up my lane from the yard she stops approx 5 times in same place each time we ride this path every other day and have so for months. How can I get her confident that it doesn't take 10mins to get up a small lane

[@Ella-dh2ic]

Hi, I love your videos! Can you do a video where you show how to saddle and bridal a horse. Thank you :)

[@Zixcify]

@@Ella-dh2ic I think she have already done a vid bout that...go check in her channel..

[@lucasa1849]

Defintely don’t forget destination attraction. The spooky side of the arena almost always happens to be furthest away from the place the horse is most attracted to like the gate or other horses. And the horse spooks to get to the place they’re drawn to. Once they’re not attracted to places anymore, suddenly the things they used to spook at aren’t scary anymore.

[@pc6620]

I love that you addressed working with your horse on the ground as well as in the saddle. And so true that "curiosity leads to confidence."' So many times I see people afraid to let their horses explore their surroundings. Your videos make sense and you are a pleasure to watch~

[@funisthefuture4653]

I would love to see a video on tips to keep a more “lazy” but physically healthy and sound horse in a trot or canter when they like to transition to a walk before being asked.

[@JSHorsemanship]

Hi Andrea, that is a great idea 👍 I will add to my list. Thanks 😊

[@sophiehines7182]

The horse was like!! ITS A RAINBOW

[@milamarinkovic9588]

My horse is scared of everything, but i am too so that is something what is conecting us😁. This video helped me to meet my horse better and make me and him better team. ❤️🐴😂😁

[@bunterslivingabroad9724]

That was a really helpful video to me, thank you xx

[@littlebits4559]

Excellent video. Always so informative.

[@techtycho4752]

Thank you! I love this vids, Keep it up!

[@majagwozdz2017]

Very informative video, thanks!

[@lauriedeveau2195]

I really appreciate that you demonstrated the curiosity leading to confidence, Scarlet did great 👏

[@horse-lover68]

Wow, one of the first good.learning videos I saw from English riders. I learned English, too, but after competitions and my age 53 I enjoy riding on a trail. With a Western saddle. They are more.comfortable for long rides and better for the horses back. Anyway thank. you for this video. I LOVE to see people riding without spurs, big bits and with force. You are a very good horseperson in my opinion and I have horses and started with 8 years. Congratulations and Respect, respect 👍🤗💞

[@InfusedLife]

Great video thank you!

[@ramakanthreddy9999]

Very helpful video thank you very much

[@rajeevsingh7168]

I really love the way of you speaks and actions. I am getting impress and learning by watching your every day video. I huge love from one of your fan. 💖☺️☺️☺️☺️

[@julietang2501]

I don’t know why but whatever you post it’s something that I did in my lesson😂😂

[@JSHorsemanship]

Lol 😂 Great instructors think alike ;)

[@briandorn2385]

Thank you, you are a wonderful teacher and trainer. Would you consider making a video that would give us closer look at leg cues specifically how to apply pressure and release with the feet and cover the areas of the horse to prompt. As you have; turn on the forehand, turn on the hind quarter, and I dont know what the specific dressage term is for moving forward but sideways. You dont seem to use a nob end spur so it would be helpful to see your feet more clearly.

[@JSHorsemanship]

Hi😊 I’m so glad you enjoyed the video. This is a wonderful suggestion. Thank you for the recommendation🐴

[@Horse_Lover.x]

thank you @JSHorsemanship i'll use this tips when i get my dream life with horses, thank you.

[@GodsChild-128]

YES!more of this! A horse that really is staring and focused on a spooky object and how to direct them through it. Rein length, when to push, when to release, and how to keep our selves relaxed!

[@georgial6614]

I’m getting ready to take my horse out to the forest for the first time at the new yard, he’s very spooky. This helped LOL

[@Kelly_Ben]

This video was excellent- not just the content, but the editing! I'm definitely going to go back and see what else you've got to help me with my sensitive, very forward mare.

[@rachelstewart5638]

Thank you for this, it’s such a big help! May I ask where you got your rope head-collar and lunge please? I’ve been looking for one like this!

[@thatanxiouschild1182]

Could yo maybe go over how get the right distance jumping? This video was SO helpful!

[@csaszarkatasara]

This is the first video what really helped me.... You showed us a real example! You are a real horsegirl! Without fancy clothes😉 I see everywhere just showcase, fearsome, opnionated puckles riders with bigger and bigger EGO, whose just being smart, but they can't ride and can't solve critical situation without overflexed head..... My role model is Edit Kappel who's and instructor of the EDL and I finally saw someone doing it the same way she did. I'm glad you didn't join the "puckles"... Don't do that! Always stay like this! I'm happy to find you girl! Greets from Hungary. 🇭🇺

[@JSHorsemanship]

Thank you for the kind words💕 It is always good to hear from a like minded horse girl!😊 Edit Kappel is a beautiful rider with a wonderful approach. I am honored to be compared to her❤️🐎

[@mariaeduardar347]

Omg you are fantastic

[@oxer7062]

The horse that I ride gets afraid of the sewer circle thing..... The thing that covers the sewers

[@yahyaosama5708]

How to gain confidence to jump with my horse

[@techtycho4752]

yay, that's an incredible idea!

[@corvus6779]

After riding a spooky horse for four years I learned a lot of things. Mostly how to fall and how to keep my seat lol, but also that if you have confidence, your horse will feel it too. If you are afraid then your horse will be afraid and be even more jumpy. It really depends on the horse but since mine is extra sensitive, that seems to work for me. And encourage your horse for good things! Like if they walk past their spooky spot or go over a jump (even if they trot or walk over it), pat them! They did what you asked and did it well! Encouraging the good things is key.

[@sidilicious11]

Any tips on how to fall? I fell off backwards from a spook and was badly hurt last Sept. My confidence is ridiculously low and I’m looking for anything to get my bravery and talent back. My horse is naturally highly sensitive. I’ve done tons of ground work and am ready to ride again.

[@corvus6779]

@@sidilicious11 its better to land on your hands and feet, so try and hit those first because it'll help break your fall and stop some of the momentum. Your butt is also good to land on, because its well cushioned. One thing a lot of riders forget is that letting go is NOT a bad thing. Let the horse run off, it'll take care of yourself. Once you're no longer connected with your horse, you need to worry about YOU. As for your confidence, that's something you need to 'discuss' with your horse. Since writing the original comment I've also fallen off, though not as badly as you because I wasn't injured. Try in-hand work. Teach your horse to not react to things like flapping plastic bags or to walk through pool noodles to help that spooking habit. Then on your horse, try something new with them. Bareback to get rid of the distance a saddle brings and just walk around! Have there be no real end goal aside from some hang out time. You could also try bitless or a neck rope for fun if they're sensitive. I wasn't very confident for a long time die to external reasons but also because my horse gets a little TOO comfortable and likes to bolt and buck on me lmao (he's thirty but he seems to forget that a lot). But we changed it up and I've been doing bareback and a neckrope for the past couple of months. He picked it up really quick and perked up, gaining more energy than I've seen from him in a long time. His whole attitude has changed and he's more confident than before. I think he just enjoys learning something new instead of plodding around the same circles he has for his whole life. So try that! Teach your horse something and practice it to distract them from whatever it might be that's got them pent up. Release that tension. Sorry for going off haha, hope this helps!

[@sidilicious11]

@@corvus6779 thanks a lot for your answers! I’m impressed that your 30 yr old is still fit and rideable! I have a 33 yr old who’s retired now. She helped raise my current 9 yr old steed. I promised myself I would always ride him with a saddle since I was riding bareback when he spooked and I went flying, even tho I loved bareback. He’s broad and slippery. I like all your ideas. I will cautiously be continuing!

[@corvus6779]

@@sidilicious11 haha thanks! It's weird riding a horse thats a decade older than me. Even weirder, he's a thoroughbred who's never been lame, is barefoot, and has no chronic issues! We of course take it easy, no jumping for him (he never truly liked it anyway), but we're instead turning to new skills to keep his wits sharp. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors! I hope you and your horse can recover your confidence together. (And give your 33 yr old some extra loving from me, I'm a sucker for old ponies lol)

[@sidilicious11]

@@corvus6779 your elder guy sounds like he’ll be around a long time. I recently heard of a horse that lived to 50! Mine was a hellion when she was young. I learned so much from her. Now she’s a shaggy placid stuffed animal who lets me hug her up.🐴She has various lamenesses and missing teeth but still loves her mashes and can still eat some hay and grass. The older they get the more I appreciate everyday we still have together.❤️

[@StjerneGaming]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THES VIDEO i have a realy Anoing horse and im realy scaid of the horse i ride I have told my riding techer and she almoust Tree me of

[@muhammedashraf7913]

Good 👍

[@muhammedashraf7913]

I’m indan I need more information for horses I need study for horse everything Yours tock very good I need stard horse Fam in Inda I try

[@emilyprater6777]

Awww... I didn’t know you were a Buckeye!

[@qriquett1482]

This is a bit of a strange question but how does everyone create their obstacles? Does anyone have any tips on creating obstacles on a budget? So like buying a stand that you can ride under like in the video?

[@biff5856]

The overall management of the horse contributes to "spookiness " more than is realized.

[@joelisdead2038]

Riding is a little crazy with a spooky little horse like you

[@techtycho4752]

'How to gain confidence to jump with a horse 🐴🐎' plz

[@darkshadow_undercover8734]

Hi how are you i hooe you are well. I have one question if you do not mind.In whuch part of the saddle would you land from the rising trot

[@JSHorsemanship]

Hi😀 You want to land in the middle of your saddle when rising to the trot.

[@firefly_the_rescue9308]

Do you have any suggestions for a spooky horse in trail rides? My Arabian mare is super spooky outside her fence in the front yard and when cars pass by. I don’t have any tools with me other than a stick and bag to help me. I’m broke.

[@alanouda2047]

We need one for the spooky rider 🌚

[@autumn_nights392]

What do you do if the horse walks backwards? Do you just keep pressure with your legs and release once they stop? Of do you keep pressuring once they start to move forward again?

[@tanyapurcell6819]

I have a nervy horse am patient and supportive at each time she anxious. We walk out every other day up my lane and she insists stopping 5 times because she sees something . We've been doing this for months how can I get her confident that it doesn't take 10mins to get up a small lane

[@JSHorsemanship]

Hi Tanya😀 With out seeing you and your mare it’s difficult to give advice. When working with a horse that is not confident outside I will often start on the ground to build their confidence and then move to under saddle as they get more relaxed.

[@lindatruitt7858]

Do you ever first expose horse to obstacles on the lunge line?

[@JSHorsemanship]

Hi😊 Yes👍 I am a big believer in the power of ground work. I do work over obstacles on the ground as well as under saddle.

[@ranausmanhaider]

I once got a spooky horse

[@mobstercrow7515]

Is it safe for a horse to graze while you are riding them? I'm getting a horse soon and I'm going to ride bitless and I see a lot of people that won't let a horse eat a bit of a snack while riding which I feel is wrong since they are working hard and deserve a treat. Could they injure themselves if they bend their neck down that far while your weight is on their back?

[@marialenway7086]

Is a horse ever too old to be desensitized? My gelding is a very spooky horse and he's 21, I've been told by a lot of people to not pursue desensitizing him because he is who he is and it's already instilled in his brain. He had a bad spook while I was on him last week causing me to sprain my wrist and I've decided enough is enough. I am working with someone who has successfully desensitized many of her previous horses. She's very kind and think highly of her skills. My gelding is semi-retired and I want to enjoy going on trails with him and in order for this to occur, I need to learn how to make him more brave. Is there a chance for us??

[@mantothegoat4143]

Can you please tell what to do if I am ridding fast and suddenly my horse spookes ?

[@captaincruise_eq.8652]

Don’t take my word, but if they are going too fast and won’t listen to you, do circles, and slowly make them smaller, or if it’s really bad, try to ride them into the corner, because it forces them to stop

[@mantothegoat4143]

@@captaincruise_eq.8652 thanks

[@captaincruise_eq.8652]

This boy, is super spooky ↖️

[@angeldivine408]

He looks beautiful!

[@darkshadow_undercover8734]

Hi how are you

[@fahadthetransformer6991]

2:09 ohh that flag

[@evakazanis2759]

2:38

[@danielepayen-jaekel8104]

Good video but it does not tell you how to sit during a fast spook while working the horse

[@perdesirajaperdesiraja5980]

L😗vely😚😚😚😚😚

[@casil5391]

lmao the pride flag for desensitizing. “how to cure a homophobic horse”

[@badlander2000]

Ah yes, the spookiest object of all, a pride flag.