SaddleSore

How do you react or control a horse that gets spooked-say by a snake being too close or something else that it sees that you don't? How do you stay safe?

Buckskin

It would depend on how the horse reacts. Some horses just stop and stare when they see something 'spooky' (like a plastic bag) and want to give it a good long look to see what will happen. If you're riding the horse and it goes crazy I imagine all you could do is hang on and hope it settles.

Horse's aren't exactly the safest animal in the world to handle.

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Jamil

If that's the case then how come we don't hear more about people getting killed or badly hurt from falling off? Do they not spook easily?

MizzRibbon

I would think this would depend on the horse too. I'm sure that some horses spook easier than others, as with most any animal. It would also depend on what exactly was spooking the horse to begin with. Most likely, some things might throw a little more fear into a horse than others.

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marge

I think it depends on the entire situation. That means the horse, rider, and issue causing the spook. I know sometimes animals will stare like you mentioned above, to see if they can figure out what is going on. Others will get a little spooked more so and I think thats when a rider lands on the ground.

iHorse

You are more likely to just fall off than get killed by a spooking horse. Horses are very instinctual about the fight or flight issue and most are the flight type. Normally when the horse is running your best bet is to try and turn them, bringing one rein back to your hip or past it toward their tail. Running toward a wall can also possibly work, but normally you're more likely to be able to turn them down than run them into something (or at it).

Should they just be the dead stop, flared nostrils, wide eyed type, slow circles toward the object are best. Possibly hop off and encourage them to touch the item if possible anticipating them dancing nervously or trying to move away.

SaddleSore

It just seems a little strange since I was told at an event for children once that they had to be really careful in case the horse got spooked. Why have kids on a horse that has that risk?

Jamil

They really shouldn't be letting a child ride a horse like that, a child that likely doesn't know much about horse riding. Can you imagine the law suit that would result from an injury?

Jewel

When giving instructing riders before heading out on the trails when I worked on my uncles dude ranch, we instructed all riders, young and old alike, how to handle a spooked horse. All of horses were experienced trail horses and I only remember one time that a horse actually spooked and it was the fault of the rider. You never know what might spook an animal at any given time and it is better for the rider to be prepared than not. Because we were on wooded trails and their were usually at least two to three ranch riders with the group, we could usually get to a rider before there were any major issues and help get their horse under control.

SaddleSore

I can understand such instruction for seasoned, or even advanced learner riders. But this was kids of three to six years old, never ridden before, being led around a paddock...