Ridecamp: [RC] [Guest] Spooky horses

Mike Shea m_j_shea@xxxxxxxxxxx
Hey,

I'm a heavyweight 35 year old Wannabe endurance rider from Charlotte, 
NC.  I bought a large Chestnut Walking Horse Gelding earlier this year in 
the hopes of turning him into my endurance horse.  I chose the Walking 
Horse over the Arab because I don't get sore riding walking horses, but I 
do get very sore riding quarter horses, and I assume that it would be the 
same riding Arabs.  I'd be happy to change breeds if I can find something 
with the right demeaner.

The problem is, when I ride alone my horse spooks at the dummest 
things.  Yesterday I was riding around an arena, and something made a noise 
inside a barrel that was on it's side as we were going past, and my horse 
jumped 3 feet to the right.  I lost my balance and fell off.  Not 
hurt.  When we're in the woods, and a squirrel, or a deer makes some noise, 
my horse can suddenly jump sideways.  It's much less frequent when I'm with 
other horses, but it still occasionally happens.

I fractured my fibula earlier this year when I was racking around a corner 
from a dirt road onto a power line and came upon some deer (I think as it 
happened too fast).  My horse lost it's balance, started to rear a bit and 
then run, and I had to bail out when I lost my balance.   The bottom line 
is that I love to ride.  I like to ride fast and long, and I love to see 
the countryside, but I want a horse that's not a damned scaredy cat.  Is 
there such thing as a brave horse?  something that will ride off through 
the forest and over streams and past outbuildings and through grass that's 
tall with just me on his back, and not another soul around, and not turn 
and run, bolt, or jump sideways?  Spirit is great, fear is OK if it's 
controllable, but uncontrollable fear in a horse has got me ready to hang 
up my helmet/ kneepads/ wristguards and the body protector that I haven't 
yet bought but was thinking about.

Any comments appreciated even if you think the horse needs different shoes, 
or if I should try barefoot.  Even if you think joining the AERC would help.

I'm not scared  mmmmmmike


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