A really terrible, awful, very bad, no good day…..

He could have spotted something that spooked him, smelt something in the undergrowth, teeth could be giving him problems and the list goes on, horses are unpredictable and flight their first defence. We have a 13 year old stallion that has not put a hoof wrong in the last 10 years, we have worked in areas that puts any horse to the test, mountain tops where fighter jets whizz by, worked in a quarry where they blasted with dynamite 3 times a day, yet a month ago he bolted with my son on his back while riding past a bush on the track side, my son ended up in hospital with pulled muscles around his heart. I spoke to the woman that runs the near by riding school, she told me that she has encountered the same problem, all her horses will shy away as they pass this bush, some will stop and have to be coaxed past. I have checked this bush for dead carcases, plastic, glass that could trow a reflection and nothing. It just goes to show how little we understand what makes their mind tick.
simon lenihan

It would seem possible it is about herd behavior or being herd bound. It is normal for a horse alone that is not very secure with their handler to be less settled, relaxed, confident and brave when not in the company of other horses.

They are flight animals so naturally their very survival is an instinctual tendency to run first and ask questions later. It would be interesting to see if his attitude was different if he had a mate along even if it was just left tied to the trailer. It takes a very brave horse to work alone in the forest and the ones that do, seem to accept their handler as another horse, which takes lots of time and a serious presence as a horse man. I think it is definitely easier with some horses than others, but it isn’t easy with any of them.

It is not the same to work one within site or familiar surroundings, as it is in a different place where they are wary of predators behind every bush, shadow, stump or tree.

I don’t think they can help it, just as they can’t help spooking when any stimulus occurs that they are not familiar with, like Simon’s stallion did and my own has done also.

I wouldn’t think following a truck up a hill with no resistance would tire a young horse enough to be relaxed or exhausted. It may be that he was just back home in familiar surroundings and relaxed by being there.

Some suggestions are: have an assistant lead the horse to and from the logs for a few rounds and see if they are made more brave by another horse (person) being in the lead. Make sure the assistant is aware of the horses frightened state and stays well ahead on loose lead line to stay out of dangers way if the horse bolts. They could carry a baton (stick) to reassure there position as a dominant one (horse).

A second suggestion (and this one may be way off the wall) is to take the bridle off and let them try it without blinders, this may not work and witness the fact that I think maybe Simon works his without blinders and it didn’t stop the stallion from wanting to leave the scene as fast as possible. What my old friend Glen French says is that this can help some horses by giving them more of a view of what is around them so they don’t freak out by what they can’t see. Fear of the unknown is universal.

Glad you didn’t get hurt and the horse survived too. Your remaining calm speaks volumes for your skill and commitment. If you work one single you will have to figure it out somehow.

It will be interesting to hear the rest of the boards thoughts. Particularly the old hands….Joel, Carl, Rick, Jimbojim, John……..we are all here to learn and share our experiences.

The story Simon tells is interesting and I hope pray his son recovers well. A stallion is usually as brave as any horse can be naturally, but they are still horses. There must be something there that is freaking all the horses out that go by. Next time you have a little spare, like maybe lunch, go to that site and set a spell and see if you can figure out what is scaring the horses at that particular spot.

On the other hand there are situations that we may never figure out about animals and that is the nature of the beast – if you hear anything different from any horse whisperers, then be skeptical, there next response will be buy my books and DVD’s or take my courses…. If they don’t humbly admit that don’t know everything there is to know about a horse then I wouldn’t think they would be good teachers to us normal human beings…. not to say they couldn’t teach allot to any of us.

Scott, I have had several of these experiences over the years. It is often so unexplainable, especially in comparison to other much better days, that I have found myself pondering all of the things that you have already mentioned.

For me it usually works its way back to what did I do that was different. Was I distracted by people(LO) watching? Was I trying too hard to make up for lost time? Did I push back too hard when he leaned into me when I was harnessing? Was I too unyielding?

The fact that the attitude persists, leads me to believe that the problem resides in the relation between teamster and horse. In my experiences it tends to come down to the horse having one of those days where they feel they need to assert something extra, and me being too rigid. Not having the patience and flexibility that is required sometimes to get to the other side where the horse once again trusts me. This usually is made very clear the next day when I have redoubled my resolve to focus on the horse and what the horse needs, and miraculously I have a completely different horse.

Just my thoughts, Carl

Scott – Days do come along that a usually calm and well worked horse will pick up on and throw a wrench into the plan – a reminder to me to leave the agenda at home – almost every time it is because I have changed the pace or routine that we follow and not given enough time for adjustment – because I need to get it done NOW –
I have a gelding that has worked for years in a team but lost his team mate – he is quite herd bound but will work single off the farm – there are days or times during the day that he looks to me for partnership so I will walk at his head with lines in hand while working – both into the woods and out with a load -this really boosts him up and after a while he can go it alone again –
Glad to see so much support on the thread –
John

@Biological Woodsman 10507 wrote:

It would seem possible it is about herd behavior or being herd bound. It is normal for a horse alone that is not very secure with their handler to be less settled, relaxed, confident and brave when not in the company of other horses.

I have one herd-bound mare, a horse that had her six first years at pasture, that is impossible to drive single. She only works with the herd leader, so that’s how i work her. Don’t know if this applies here or to anyone, but thought i’d second the observation.

I know this isn’t a solution but remember perspective – the worst day working your horses is still better than the best day working at “the office/plant/factory”.

Keep at it and all the best.