| If your horse scares you because he's | | | | When is it happening? |
| unpredictable while riding him, here are some | | | | Once you learn to look for the timing of when it's |
| techniques you can try. | | | | happening, you may discover the problem and |
| First, understand that he may be unpredictable | | | | thus fix it. As an example, a horse could be in pain |
| because you may be making him that way. | | | | and every time you used your left leg on him it |
| Check to see if you're giving him conflicting signals. | | | | made him jumpy - but you may have thought he |
| That confuses a horse. A confused horse can | | | | was being spooky or unpredictable. Thus, you |
| easily turn into a scared horse. A scared horse | | | | may find that he's in pain and not unpredictable. |
| becomes unpredictable. | | | | Another way to help an unpredictable horse is |
| If your signals are not conflicting, then start by | | | | ride, and ride, and ride. There's an old saying that |
| riding your horse in an enclosed space. If all you | | | | says, "A sweaty saddle blanket makes a good |
| have is a round pen, that's a good starting point. | | | | horse." It means you need to put miles on your |
| If you have an arena, that's even better. This will | | | | horse. He needs ridden a lot. Much of it you can |
| be a controlled area and if he spooks and gets | | | | do in an arena but you'll also have ride out of the |
| unpredictable, then he can't run too far. | | | | arena because he may sour on riding in the arena |
| As you ride, be very aware of his unpredictability. | | | | too much. Lastly, you may have to do some |
| In other words, take notice where it's happening. | | | | de-spooking exercises with him. If so, don't leave |
| Is it happening at a turn? A certain place in the | | | | that out of his training. |
| arena? Does it happen when you only turn left? | | | | |