Spooky horse

[Candice_17]

My Bella is going to be coming back this weekend. She had 30 days put on her last year as a 2 yr old, she was doing well and fairly quiet. I rode her a little over the winter and she always did well, a little on the spooky side, but not bad at all. This spring she went for another 30 days at a cattle trainer. He never introduced her to cattle, infact he didn't do too much riding at all (long story, but I was not happy). From that trainers she went to a feedlot and has been there for 3 months now. The guy that is riding her there is a GREAT horseman and well renowned in the area for his gentle way of dealing with the horses. This whole time I have not seen her, she's too far and I don't really have "visitation" rights at a feedyard. He calls weekly and updates me on her progress (or lack there of) He's always said, she's a lot of horse, she's got a lot of go, but she's very controllable. If she has more than a day off she gets a little humpy, though she has not bucked. She continues to spook at the feed trucks, the other horses, and stuff in general. She is a BIG girl, at 16.1 HH, and is very athletic. One would think after 3 months of seeing feed trucks, other horses coming at her, and so on, she would have gotten over it by now. So, my question is, will she ever get over this stuff and just be a nice broke horse? What can I do to hurry that up? Is it possible that she would do better in a show type setting, as in living in a stall and doing working ranch horse in a controlled arena setting? Are some horses just this way?

I had once heard that Peppy San horses can be a little this way, but once they finally get it they are the best horses out there. Anyone heard this? How long am I supposed to wait for her to get it? I'll be trailriding with him and my horse this weekend, so I can see what he's talking about exactly. Goofy horse anyway

[My Ladyhawke]

I hope you are not paying for this training and certainly would not have my horse somewhere that I couldn't go visit. If she has been around all this stuff for three months and still spooky then they are not doing much with her to get over it. The only way to despook a horse is with ground work first and getting their focus on you and not the object. Lots of foot work, move those feet. Same when riding her. You are leaving out a lot of info so really hard to determine entire issue. Is she stalled all the time or out free running around?. I'm glad you are getting her back and hope she is in great shape. Keep us posted on how she is when you get her back. And yes, she is a big girl.

[mart]

Yes, some horses are "just that way" !! Though I have never it applied to Peppy San horses !! Usually they are good all arounders !! Just curious but what are you and the others feeding this mare? As with hot horses a low carb/sugar diet can help !! As well as lots of ride time !! My gray mare will still jump at little things after three years !! But just a little !!

[Candice_17]

When she is home she is on grass or grass hay, no sweet feed, she doesn't need it. He is feeding her straight grass hay too and says she certainly isn't lacking.

As far as not being able to see her, I am sure that if I called and asked him too, he would meet me there, but I have known this man for over 10 years, and hubby has known him all his life, I don't see the need to go check up on her. He is not a "trainer" so to speak, he is riding her at his job at the feed yard. I would have to have him go out there after working hours to see her. He, I am sure, has done every thing to get her used to these things, it just seems to be her nature. I am hoping with maturity she will start to out grow this. I'd like to give her a job, but with her being a bit on the high side I am struggling with what to do with her. Just based off of pedigree, she should be a cutter. But she went and sprouted size, and I think she would be better at her 16.1 hh to find another job. I thought about roping, but a rope horse needs to be fairly unphased by things. I'd love to do working ranch with her, but again, her size... Maybe reining would be her thing.... Hopefully she will grow out of this by the time she is 5, that is my goal anyway.

Oh, she is in a rounpen sized pen with a run in shed at the feed yard. Here she has the run of 40 acres. I think I answered the questions. Like I said, I'll know first hand this weekend exactly how spooky she is.

[mart]

Well, if she just starts a little I wouldn`t worry about it !! However if it is enough to unseat you,, that might be another issue !! When you get her back I would haul her everywhere possible !! Shows, playdays, slould be some rodeo`s this fall !! Ride her as much as possible at events !! Perhaps just age and maturity is needed for her !! I would sure try reining with her !! It would help her concentration !!

[Mits]

You sent her to the right place to get the hair rode off of her.I think the feed lot is the best place for one.She should be over all the spooky stuff around the feed lot,if not she may always be this way.The only draw back to a feed lot is they ride those horses a bunch and they come back,drawed up ,no fat on them.Not skinny but they look different then the last time you saw them.A friend of mine has sent 4\5 to a feed lot and was jumpy and bucky and he came back after 3 months and made a nice horse.He has been happy with everyone he has sent to a feed lot.

[sdeloach1958]

I believe in resist free training and I know it works. I have trained a few young horses with it. Do a little round pen work until they work up a sweat. Then ask her to do something that usually scares her. If she runs or bolts then that is fine, make her run again and try it again. It takes time and patience but she has gradually learn that it hurts worst to run that whatever is in front of her. She will understand that you are not going to hurt her but she is hurting herself by running away. It will not happen in one day but with patience she will come around.

[My Ladyhawke]

Amen Loach, I couldn't have said it better myself. Move those feet.