Riding a Spooky Horse

[@abbykoop5363]

Well, I tried this with my mare today and it worked like a hot-damn! Both lifting the reins to get her head down, and doing the circling exercise. She wasn't very soft going to the right, but after about 3 tries I realized that "I" was not bending with her the same as the other side. We BOTH have work to do! Hahaha

[@Allisonloosemore]

You’re so articulate, concise and measured in your speech in a way that I can fully understand and retain. Awesome job! Thanks so much

[@cab-g4e]

Was thinking just the same!

[@beffis1980]

Absolutely agree

[@JessHorsemanship]

totally agree!

[@lisaeaker9064]

My favorite thing with his training style is he never wants to demoralize the horses he wants them to still have their confidence but to know that when it's go time Ryan is in charge

[@abigail1023]

It must be a relief to the horse to finally have someone who understands them.

[@ElleChelleSky]

So nice to see riders being so pro “long rein.” I teach at a riding stable, and everyone kind of pokes fun that I’m “too nice” and let the horses all go w/long reins. Let my clients learn to use their body/leg aids, not their hands... and let the horse relax while it happens! Love your videos! Only watched 3 just now, but I’m about to click that subscribe video. (I’m overwhelmed with horses all day, so the last thing I do is subscribe to more horse videos. But, I enjoy your style and techniques and hopefully I can translate them even more into to my own riding.)

[@bekigaskin4185]

So agree. In the UK my trainer makes me ride without any reins - we have to be able to control using our balance and seat

[@dianereiser6417]

Good instructions, but it would be nice to see the horse outside on a trail ride, where most spooking takes place.

[@Kenn_Baker]

Love this comment, everyone films these in round pens and empty arenas without geese bursting out of bushes, revving motorcycles, or that North American apex predator known as white plastic bags. Plastic bag joke aside, those two other stimuli were causes for epic meltdowns on my mare's part...an 18H Belgian...it took both arms on one reign and my 200lbs of Irishness to even get a circle...2500lbs of horse terrified of a 12oz bird is one of nature's greatest jokes. Aside from building a bush shaped goose launcher how do aI prepare her for that!!!!

[@SavvyConnemara]

There is probably a few feet of snow on the ground. Sometimes indoors are spooky places as little dirt clumps get kicked onto the walls as the horse passes. At least that's my experience. :)

[@francesca.lehtonen]

If when they spook they don’t just side step but rear and go for a pig root... what do you do then...????

[@mystictailsfarmga]

Add distractions to the area, Next steps..

[@lisabaker9036]

@@Kenn_Baker very funny!😄

[@camillehank7617]

There are alot of guys out there .but ill tell ya .ive been around along time this Ryen is one of the best......hes not affraid to say if the horse is not for the person. I love his sencible techniques i give him a 10

[@melanierenner842]

Wow, this 10 Min Video helped me so much ! Thanks you Ryan. I am with 5 year old spanisch horse who shows exactly the same Issues.... And your explanation is complete , clear exactly fitting in the state of our Training ! So happy to found this

[@abbykoop5363]

This is fantastic! Thank you! My Arab mare is always looking for dragons and I didn't know how to remedy it without taking her in hand. But the second you let go of those reins, she's dragon hunting again! I am going to try this. And to those comments below, I don't have an arena or roundpen, so I'll be testing this out on the trails.

[@ridinhigh2917]

Great educator/trainer! I feel I have to micromanage every step of my spooky horse (when I would prefer to ride on loose reins) so love the idea of the horse taking responsibility for staying connected with the rider.

[@lisasurphlis]

I am a trail rider and I am building my horses confidence by doing what you are showing in this video. I call it having a conversation with my horse. Most of the people I ride with are no more then dead weight on their horses backs and wonder why there horse is spooking at things and acting jumpy. They are not interested in riding their horse or putting any effort into connecting with their horse. Drives me crazy. And, yes I am always looking for like minded riding partners. I have found a couple but the rest I just have to bit my tongue and put up with them. I have tried to help them but it's doesn't seem to work. There are folks out there that just don't get the horse human connection. This are the same people who are human Pezz dispensers with treats. Uhg!

[@beffis1980]

You are just so gifted with the animal and how you project your lesson for our understanding is unbelievable. Love it💕

[@beffis1980]

I love that you listen to the animal! In a way, you almost become one with the horse, yet remind them that you are the leader.

[@lindadickson6253]

Good timing Ryan, been off my horse 3 times in the last year once just walking by a obstacle.

[@yavonnavichmutt-haven481]

Great info and I love your channel. I am only going to start proper lessons in the spring preparing to be a first time horse owner at the age of 57 ! I have done very few rides when I was younger but never had lessons to properly ride and not in a financial position to own a horse till I recently retired. I will be following your guidance a lot and people like you who can help me through my new life with my soul animal! Looking forward to it!

[@alexiscoley5430]

I like the idea of speaking with your body, not with the reins. I taught my friend how to ride like that too.

[@helengoldward5767]

Just subscribed thank you : I fell off a horse that was spooky in South Africa that saw a Wildebeast. He went low and I went high.As a beginner rider no one has given me as much to understand what happened as this video. The horse wanted my leadership and I didn't know how to give it. Luckily I recovered back at my lessons here in UK as from this week we are allowed outdoor activities !!

[@ryanrosehorsemanship]

Wow that’s quite a story. Thanks for the sub

[@shifrah3951]

Great instructions easy know how to implement

[@newsak1]

This hit home with me! Thank you, thank you! My horse who looks for something to spook at thanks you too.

[@lesliepark3370]

Lovely horse!

[@mervjb809]

That is a beautiful looking horse.

[@PersonalTriumph2022]

This video is so helpful ! I have a TB and I am a beginner rider. Whenever I ride him his head is up, ears pricked forward and frequently interested in what is happening outside of the arena. This makes me highly nervous. Those around me tell me he is a good horse and I need to just get on with it but I always feel uneasy because he seems distracted. He also braces occasionally like this horse. I have used ideas from some of your other videos but this one really brings it all together. Thank you for this very helpful set of tips ( although I am not sure I have the ability to teach him the head down with my level of experience )

[@hannahyoder900]

He looks and acts just like my 6 year old! Very helpful!

[@sheilabraun9294]

Great video. Something I have done (which might not be necessary in this case) is retrain a horse who leans on my leg to "yield to pressure" on the ground a few times. It's hard to go back to such a basic lesson, but some horses need it, even after being ridden for a long time.

[@lindadickson6253]

Thanks Ryan, I have come off 3 times this year all due to spooking. This will help.

[@silky2204]

Great video. Liked the rib cage tension info. You used a few training techniques in your ride. All made sense.

[@ldevine07]

My horse spooks frequently in the arena, great video, I’m practicing it.

[@sidilicious11]

Mine does too, even doing groundwork! I’m going to try this.

[@gipsiesrealm]

Great video I own a horse like this always looking around for something to spook at

[@carolcrompton6138]

Love the skip!!..looks so simple and maybe they enjoy it…like playing!!❤️❤️

[@tomblount5635]

Really enjoy your horse sense!!!

[@janisspecht2166]

Good mini lesson!!

[@ryanrosehorsemanship]

Thanks

[@winddy]

I love this. You are so gentle and kind. Thank you for sharing!!

[@leemiller2811]

Awesomeness Ryan. 👍

[@lindachicette8354]

Gorgeous horse

[@TheTeapotte]

This is a good video, I will definitely try this. I have just gotten a young horse who has come out of his shell a lot since I got him and has started to spook a fair bit at loud noises or people/cars going by the arena, so ideally I would like to desensitise him and in the meantime teach him to be more engaged with me and more relaxed

[@sharonconroy4057]

Thanks Ryan, so great to be reminded of the loose rein and one rein to build connection. I think my horse has been trying to tell me there's a hole, you had better fill it in!🤗🇦🇺

[@helenkelley8788]

Appreciate your explanations...Thank you.

[@garymitchell5459]

I have a friend with a Standard Bred that’s spooky that I ride once in awhile. Your lesson in the indoor Arena was helpful but it would have been nice to have more obstacles to simulate riding in a more distracting situation so he would have been wired tighter 😅You are a very good instructor, Thanks!

[@CrayolaCoffeeBean]

That horse is mega cute 😍 I have such a soft spot for greys

[@MorganJServices]

Probably the best training video I have ever seen to help my spooky mare and I. I had no idea her nose constantly pointed the outside meant she was disengaging. She behaves exactly like the horse your are riding. Need to find a technique to lower her head though I have been riding bitless because of her intolerance of anything on roof or corners of mouth even with my light hands. It's always been a complete rodeo with a bit in her mouth as soon a reign makes a movement. She accepts it easily and lets it hang on her head okay, but that's all. I trained her from wild to under saddle myself. Never, ever caused her pain or trauma in anyway.

[@dextersmith9591]

I just have to ask, have you had her teeth checked? Sorry to ask, I mean no offence.

[@MorganJServices]

@@dextersmith9591 No offense taken! My mare has a dental exam every spring like clockwork. She is given the best medical, dental and theraputic care I can find including a specialized diet for her metabolic syndrome. I never forced the idea of a bit because she has done so well with the bitless headstall. Not that I don't want her to learn to take a bit. I've just been nervous about her blowing up.

[@dextersmith9591]

@@MorganJServices No I totally understand!! I have a rounded up mare from the reserves, she was 9 and had no contact with humans when I got her lol If you ever put a bit in her mouth she’d dump you, so I totally get it 😆

[@MorganJServices]

@@dextersmith9591 good to talk with someone who understands the breed!

[@dextersmith9591]

@@MorganJServices Of course! “Wild” horses require very different treatment compared to domestic horses.

[@george.6556]

I like your style, Dude ! Very nice

[@neverfind1]

EXCELLENT video! Relaxed and connected to you is key and you know how to help the horse get there. Thank you for the great video!

[@lindasvensson4855]

Thank you!! 🙏🤩 Do you have instruktions on how to train when they are scared of other horses?🙏

[@jefferyschirm4103]

My first horse was very spooky, I found out if I would react to what was something that would spook first , he learned to trust me a quit most of that dumb stuff . Finally realized he was very far sighted , anything within 6-8 ft that he came up on would scare him !

[@sharonsamsung5219]

Huck is a big fan!

[@carolcrompton6138]

Love your video, and found it so enjoyable!,…is it better to “de-fly your horse prior to a work out??….I end up twitching and find it destructing when they are not really relaxed!!…in fly season, wouldn’t it be better to spray them down in the morning so you have their total concentration??…it just seems kinder for them learn!boy I wish I could be doing what you are doing, it’s so enjoyable….and I am 76 and have had no lessons!! The itch is getting worse as I am aging, but love these animals since I was a child….thank you for them!!..I also watch Steve Young!!…thanks!!……..if only I were a millionaire!!…lol…..👍❤️❤️

[@mishaanton5436]

Like this. Never saw wrangler b4. I like the schooling. And teaching. Foundation foundation, foundation. Bond and horse learns not every human stupid. This is a thinking rider making a thinking horse. Horses only rise to the level they r taught. If they learn to be naughty and basically unpredictable and ipso facto, then a dangerous horse. You have my subscribe. Wish i coukd still ride. But i still learn. I would like it if video not cut n phased thru the bending. I see ao much as the horse moves. 💛 #happy safe trails

[@krystaldaniels7940]

This was a perfect little lesson for my new mare. Someone was really hard on her mouth in the past so I try to use as little rein as possible but she is constantly bending to the outside just like Huck!😁

[@sidilicious11]

This is just what I needed to learn! Much thanks🙏🏼🐴🍀

[@sdcaeastcountyfamily]

I did enjoy that video. Thank you

[@ac12201]

Really good information. I like your style of teaching. Hopefully i can attend one of your clinics in a near future. Great job, good mentor.

[@andreaklein7013]

Thanks, that helps me. Greatings from Germany 😊🇩🇪

[@ryanrosehorsemanship]

Great 👍

[@melancollie9597]

LOVE this, thanks a lot❤

[@Ullabrittnielsen]

It would be so great to see on the trail 👏

[@paisleysfarm9948]

I think one important point Ryan makes that is missed is that the horse has been taught by inexperienced riders that he can get away with spooking and consequently shortens the ride (and gets fed and stalled) The horse knows he has an experienced rider during this video so he’s not pulling those stunts. His tips to correct the problem are solid.

[@debbie4269]

He is more trained than expressed. He gives to where your spurs are, he is not disconnected. I would say he challenges or tries to out smart his riders. I would say he is not spooky but a thinker. Horses like him, will always ride one way for one rider and different for another.

[@hotwireman49]

I dont usually like grays (reminds me too much of me) but he is stunning!!

[@hotdizzle7791]

That is one sweet dapple Grey u got there amigo 😉

[@bonniehiggins8811]

Thank you 😊

[@marylouspaull6343]

some great tips for my "tool box" thank you

[@MyBelgianAzzy]

It is so refreshing to see a rider/owner looking at training techniques like this, instead of thinking of one trainer's method as "right", and another trainer's method as "wrong". With exceptions of outright abuse, there will almost always be some helpful takeaways from even trainer's who's overall philosophy you don't agree with- the trick is learning which to apply to specific situations on specific horses. Learning that comes from experience and trial and error. :) Enjoy your animals- I'm sure they appreciate you furthering your education and putting more "tools" in that toolbox you mentioned. :) Hope you and your loved ones are happy and healthy.

[@HobbitHomes263]

WHen I am working, I rarely use the reins for anything. ALL the WORK revovles around my seat and my energy and intention.

[@KJThiry]

Great stuff, Ryan! I’ve been to your clinics where you guide us through this. It appears I needed a reminder. ;) Glad I found your video, here.

[@nat3199]

I leased a very spooky Arabian. Question, because we did very similar training: why the wide hands instead of i.e. what i do which is take my ring fingers and sort of "tap" back and forth (pull back in a "come here" motion) with each finger to bring his head down, usually it'd be lower and lower with each "tap" . Is it a matter of preference? Mind you, I've ridden English style most of my life but most horses I've been around have had experience in both. I've ridden western on trails here and there and also adopted some of the techniques, especially when my coaches have taught me some of them when riding bareback or had me be a part of "transitioning" them into English style.

[@jelnamacklin8487]

Hi Ryan can you do video how to fix a horse who always drifts to right side of a trail road mo matter which direction you go. Going straight.

[@michellehennen3699]

What do you do when a non spooky horse spooks, such as happened to me, when a random farm dog comes barking and charging at you full speed? I was able to use my one rein and disengage his hind quarters, but we went into a nearly unrideable 100mph spin, because he was doing everything in his power to exit the situation? How do I desensitize for charging dogs and and how do I prevent this speed spin?? It has taken away my confidence to hack down the road, but rather to stay in safer group trail rides, which greatly limits our riding miles that this colt needs.

[@lisaholland8681]

Awesome!

[@jessicahanson88]

Love this video- what would you recommend for the horse that is always nervous vs not paying attention? She had lymes and was vit e deficient so possibly learned to be nervous from being g sick so long. She is a tough horse to work with as she hurts me a lot due to her constant flightiness.

[@gipsiesrealm]

He’s spooky this is good to see

[@Trapezius8oblique]

This was really interesting thank you

[@peggyrowe4354]

Using your legs and spurs are paramount to training Cutting horses, the way Daddy and I did. We used the snaffle bits when we would break a horse. = until they became neck reaned.

[@goodgirlvicki]

I don't own horses and i love your videos

[@marylamb56]

I sound like a broken record. But thank you Ryan, for breaking it down. Making it so simple to understand. Thank you Ryan!, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Bleukeet]

Solid advice!

[@lilapowell5272]

My horse is calm most of the time and an older horse. He is very spooky about horses coming at him face first. He had an incident in the practice arena where a reiner was practicing the slide stop in front of us. Now he’s scared of any horse approaching face first in our direction. At shows in the practice pen we now stand quietly on the rail to help get him over it. Any suggestions to help him would be greatly appreciated.

[@laurafowler1142]

Impressive riding...makes it look easy eventhough it's hard. Like watching Olympic skaters and thinking that looks fun maybe I'll give it a try- then flop!

[@lindavanschalkwyk9829]

Great video i will defnitley work on keeping his head down. But what will happen with loose reigns if you started cantering. If i loosen my reigns my horse wont listen.

[@emerwatchorn6971]

O it would have been great to see you do the couple of things to get him to stand to make the video. Pls show us the next time. Thank you for the video

[@silky2204]

Good video.

[@shaylathornton2392]

My horse is pretty okay with things around her, it's mostly me moving on her and my hands moving that spooks her, especially when my hand moves to turn her to the right. Like how much he's moving his hands, she'd bolt.

[@arabiansarelifex9585]

Hello Ryan. Great video. I am just restarting my mare after a few years and she is super sensitive to any hand and leg aids. I am feather light with her. She was always sensitive but alot more now, what would you recommend? Thank you,

[@jeanviarengo231]

I personally suggest Redmond Rock products... A scoop of loose "rock" and a scoop 2x daily of Daily Gold for 2 weeks, then part of daily feeding

[@jeanviarengo231]

Give a spooky horse a job..... awesome

[@hollywoodreiner851]

Idk if this was sarcastic, but in breof explanation the scarier the job and environment is the quieter the horse is, then again i dont know if this comment was sarcastic or not.

[@jeanviarengo231]

@@hollywoodreiner851 not sarcastic at all... if the horse is focused on the job, trusting the rider.. they are less likely to spook

[@hollywoodreiner851]

@@jeanviarengo231 Oh gosh im sorry then i mustve misread your comment the wrong way, my apologies have a great day

[@jeanviarengo231]

@@hollywoodreiner851 no problem at all! Sometimes my words aren't always clear 😉

[@kayparmelee366]

Great video!

[@bethalvarez6956]

That is exactly what my horse does

[@jessicabotts1624]

How do I teach my horse this when I'm a much less experienced rider? I just started leasing a horse in the last couple of months and his owner let him get away with the spooky behaviors before, and then didn't have time to ride him much for a while. He's a sweet horse and very capable, but he does spook pretty easily and when he does it offsets the ride because I've come off enough times that it starts to make me nervous which starts the cycle of him being nervous too.

[@juliepagones2734]

I have a youngster who is very spooky and he gets scared and takes off bucking . Would you suggest the same technique? I love your approach and it makes a lot of sense .

[@HappyWScrappy]

Ryan have you tried the ergonomic cinches that give the horse's shoulder more space for movement?

[@TheReevessss]

I read a seed purchasing company w'sits which said Clover can be a grass giving excessive stimulating behaviour. & experienced this. Not sure red or white.

[@HobbitHomes263]

Ranch I worked years ago gave me six horses in my string that included an Appaloosa whoe was half mad and completely "fly bothered" Let's see you teach that...lol.. whe your horse stops walking and goes nuts over bugs, what do you do?

[@ChickyVal]

Not necessarily, mine will go great on a trail and spook in the arena. How is this boy bred? His demeanor and build remind me of my gelding.

[@spacesadness8949]

my horse focuses on me most of the time but she listens for things that sounds like a whip then she spooks,i guess her last owners used a whip a lot, she doesnt really listen to the reins too

[@katrinebroendsted]

Hi Ryan. It looks like you have two pads under the saddle. What is the reason for this, and is it a special pad? (sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm new to western riding). Best, Katrine

[@ryanrosehorsemanship]

There’s only one pad. The saddle I was using has two different shades of leather on the skirt.

[@alycewich4472]

There is no such thing as a dumb question. You cannot learn without asking questions so don't let people tell you that your questions are dumb. They're not.

[@lyssakate]

Wow! This gave me some crazy flashbacks lol. If the maker of this video ever sees this, I would love to get your input on the situation below: What do you do when a particular training method doesn't work? Here's my 'for instance': I had a 7 year old mare when I was a kid. She was broken really late (like 4 years old) and worked minimally before I got her so she was green. Very spooky, nose glued to the outside, a more nervous clone of this horse. Ohhhh, we did circles. Circles and circles and circles. What did my trainer say? Circles it is! We did so many small circles I got dizzy from it. She would disengage, put her head down and nose to the inside, but as SOON as we got off our circles, no matter how many we'd done, that head was up, nose out. So then my trainers had me physically shorten my inside rein to force the nose in, but then she'd just drop her inside shoulder into the circle and lean on my inside hand. I take the pressure away, the problem is still there. I don't have this mare anymore, but spoiler alert: we never fixed it. I just got used to pulley reins when she spook-bolted at shows and doing the see-saw method of getting her head collected in the ring. I've unlearned all that nonsense now and she went back to her previous owner, so luckily she had a happy ending as a trail riding horse. But after all these years I think, what would I do differently now? Would love to get your take. TL;DR: What happens if small circles only work when you're in the circle, the rest of the time that nose is outta here.

[@lainahiller4146]

Hi Ryan, Just to clarify. To get him to lower his head you hold reins out to the side and up and then when he starts to drop his head, release? Is this a kind of reverse psychology?

[@ryanrosehorsemanship]

Laina Hiller yes, reverse psychology/ over agreeing with them. Essentially we just need to make it difficult for them to be spooky and high headed and relaxing to be calm and low energy when we are. Thanks

[@pattylee7972]

Legs first then hands when asking for his head to come down. Then the release hand then legs. The release is everything. Go find a good coach in your area.

[@TheKlbrister]

My spooky mare looks exactly like Huck!

[@christyb7590]

Some of these comments are very shocking to me. In order to work on problems it is not fruitful for horse and rider to put the horse in the worst situation possible. Novice riders dont realize that they need to learn these proactive skills from the beginning. I just found those comments to be immature and not more respectful of this learned trainer.

[@silversurfer2156]

At some point the horse will have to go on the trail so when those times come for the horse to learn how to act on the trail that's when the video can take place. You can only teach so much in a confined space with no outside stimulus.

[@FoxtrS2]

..the horse hates snaffle bit ?? 7:55 ->

[@susangaik36]

horse has 'great' bang style/color..good contrast.

[@kirsty4187]

Hi Ryan, i love your videos. I just wondered what your take might be on this- my horse is with a trainer and she uses treats alot. When the horse spooks, when she stops and stares, when she mounts etc, very often. I know this is a style of training, positive reinforcement perhaps but wouldn't it be like rewarding a spook for example instead of solving the issues? It doesnt seem to be stopping the behaviour!? Isnt release of pressure the biggest reward for a horse?. I dont want to get her home and spoil any progress changing to a different way of training but I'm not overly convinced by her methods. Thank you in advance 💗

[@ryanrosehorsemanship]

Kirsty yeah I agree with you.

[@kirsty4187]

@@ryanrosehorsemanship very helpful videos, thanks

[@daniel_moretti]

Kristy, I find treats help a horse to understand that it's not a fight, that you are doing something nice for it. But it's good to use a cue, like a click with your mouth, to let the horse know when he did what you wanted and then give the treat. For example there is a horse who I work with who sometimes bites at the air when someone enters his stall. When he doesn't, I click and give him a treat. He's been getting better and he's grown to see me as less of a threat. A side benefit of this is that when I'm out with him and he starts to going into crazy land in his mind, a click with my tongue helps to bring him back, I imagine because he associates the click with something good about to happen to him. Treats are a powerful tool, esp with horses that have been abused. But they do have their downsides and limitations as well, as you are experiencing.

[@ryanrosehorsemanship]

Kirsty yes I agree with you

[@evelynwaugh4053]

Treats paired with verbal cues are a type of counter conditioning which can help change a horse's negative attitude to certain things that he dislikes or is afraid of, as well as serve to highlight and reward his desired behavior. Removal of pressure is a form of negative reinforcement (removal of an aversive stimulus). Generally, when training or teaching, using multiple ways of teaching has a greater impact, than using only one way. A grade school teacher who only used her steely stare down of a child who talked out of turn, but never praised the children for their quiet and attentiveness, or gave them stickers for compliance with rules, would not have as cooperative a class as the savvy teacher who used multiple strategies in teaching.

[@kei774]

Beautiful Arab! Arabians are amazing horses in the right hands. Very smart. But definitely not a horse for the beginner.

[@inevansteenkiste]

Question: is that a horse in the background (the black)? Because this horse also has separation anxiety and or buddy sour issues? Just asking because my mare has those issues and is extra spooky when alone. Also, with destination addiction, it is hard to let them on a loose rain crooze around, because they Will stop in their “happy place”.