Silly things your horse will shy at!

[Becky (ridendurance)]

Have you been riding your horse or pony and there was something they were terrified of? Like a "butterfly monster" , a tiny frog jumping into a pond, or maybe an umbrella opening during a horse show? Share your funny story with us!

[Becky (ridendurance)]

My horse Jazz was terrified of a tiny piece of corn husk that was "chasing" us down the road one fall day. The wind kept picking it up and blowing it toward us. Everytime she calmed down, the wind would pick it up again and it would start twirling and spinning. She was convinced we were going to die but maybe if she snorted loud enough she might be able to save us. What a funny day!

[Katie]

Sheik is pretty bombproof...especially for an almost three year old.
The funniest thing he ever spooked at though, was a round bale of hay.
We usually feed them from square bales, but we were going on vaction and didn't want the person taking care of them for us having to haul out hay to them. He came in from the back pasture and kept freaking out everytime he saw it. It took him two days before he'd walk over and touch it.

[Katherine Alexander]

Incredible Gift is pretty bombproof herself but Wind Dancer is a freak about everything. It doesn't matter if it is the wind blowing against her, she just goes all weird on me. How do I get her to be bombproof, like IG?

[Katie]

IF she spooks at certain things, like plastic bags, for instance, you can 'sack her out' it's a really handy thing I've done with Sheik a million times.
When she spooks at something, and you can figure out what is, go and get that thing (If possible) and then talking to her calmly, let her sniff it, and then rub it over her nose and her head, her neck, her legs, etc. It won't help with the wind of course, but it should help get her more bombproof about other things.

[Katherine Alexander]

Thanks a lot for the info. I will try that with the two younger ones that are not bombproof. As for the one that freaks at everything, well she is being sold to my farrier. He is a really good guy and will give her a really nice home. Plus, he subscribes to the natural horsemanship method and trains horses for his living. She will be much better off with someone of more experience. But thanks again.

[Becky (ridendurance)]

Hi Katherine,
Some thoughts on shying. To some extent the nature of the horses genetics can make up his response to things he sees as a possible threat. I think we can help them to become more confident with us and also to introduce them to a lot of new things in a "controlled" situation. I am interested in the nautural horsemanship methods that teach a lot about the value of approach and retreat with obstacles and potentially scary onjects. The idea being to introduce your horse to a lot of new things and help him to develop confidence in you and in himself in new situations. Much of this is done safely at home and while they are handled from the ground. I do not think it can so much change their reaction to something but help them to be able to think when they see a potentially frightening thing. Hope this made sense. I imagine your farrier could explain more about it. I wish him all the best with Wind Dancer and that he can give more confidence to this horse. Horses like this need a strong leader and you are becoming one as you gain confidence yourself. Recognizing that we are not always the best match for a horse we own is often a hard decision. My hats off to you for putting your horse and your familys safety first. KUDOS TO YOU KATHERINE!

[Boomerang]

Horses i have ridden on trail rides when i was little would freak at dogs that weren't there the day before XDDD

[MustangLover]

My horse montana will spook at anything...but the funniest one was when he acted like some barrels were monsters...I was trying to practice for speed shows and was practicing the plug race...I asked montana to canter, and he did...well he got close to the barrel, he jumped off to the side, bucked and then bolted...I got him undercontrol pretty fast, but it was soo funny...

[Donna Campbell smith]

Sometimes our horse is not shying at what we think it is shying at, because their vision is different than ours. You can read about how horses see at my hub article.

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-Horses-See

I don't know if it is still in print or not, but a good little book titled The Mind of the Horses by RH Smythe does a good job explaining how the horse uses its senses.

[Ashley]

yep .............my old pony Millie shyed at a pink flower in her path as her concentration was on a prancing horse in the field!!

[Jessie]

My arabian mare used to shy at PIGS! She did not like pigs at all and would flag her tail and spin around when ever she saw one. I usually would just jump off and walk her past. I don't know why she doesn't like pigs, but she doesn't! LOL!!!!

[Becky (ridendurance)]

All my Arabians have been scared of pigs! It must run in the family I guess. No pigs in Arabia? LOL Mine eventually got used to them but always kept a close eye on them until we got past that "scary" bunch!