[MistyFawn666]

I rode my horse Buddy today and he was awesome. I mean awesome! He carried me up steep hills on our trail ride with determination. He was absolutely perfect until...he heard a gun shot for the first time.

Some guys were shooting clay pigions out in the field. And while we were way back in there on the complete other side, Buddy could hear them, but he only stopped and looked and then kept going. I was so relieved because I didn't know if he had heard a gun before. So we were making a final pass at the end of our ride on the grass along the road. I turned him around to go back towards the barn and of course he picked up the pace a little because he was excited to be going back, but I made him walk. He was doing fine until we came back to the field where the guys were shooting and then he FREAKED OUT!!! I mean we were not that close to them about 60-80 yards away I would say, but he really got scared. He started twisting and turning and backing up. I really thought he was going to rear up. I tried to get control of him and I did a couple times for about 2 seconds until he heard another gun shot and then he stared it all over again. Like I said I really thought he was going to rear for I could feel the front of him going up. The only thing I could think of then is if he reared up and went over backwards we were both going to land on a black top road and neither of us would be going for rides ever again. So as soon as I got him to calm down just a little bit again for about 2 second in between shots I dismounted. I didn't jump off, I just dismounted as I usually do. I got a hold of his head and he calmed down a little. I assessed his physical condition and he was SOAKED with sweat and breathing hard. And every gun shot he heard while I was on the ground he did NOT twist and try to get away, but his eyes did get wider and I could literally see the sweat drip off his chest. So I did something most trainers would probably yell at me for, I didn't get back on. I lead him back to the barn and tried my best to calm him down, for on the way there if he heard a gun he would turn around and look. Only after I started to brush him did he start to calm down. After I had him tied for awhile and he seemed to get used to the guns I led him out in the yard so he could see them shooting from about 150 yards off. He stared at them but seemed a little better. But when I turned him around again so the shooting was behind him, but he didn't like that and tried to get away. He had to keep them in sight to feel remotely safe.

So did I make the right choice? I think I did. Most trainers would have told me to ride out his spooking, but I even though I was calm I couldn't get him to calm down. The last thing I wanted was for both of us to go splat on the concrete. I didn't get back on him for I was not going to push him with this if he was that scared, not because I was afaird. In fact, I intend to get right back in the saddle next weekend. Some would still tell me it was bad horsemanship, but I really don't think I would care about my horsemanship if I was in the ICU and he was about to euthanized due to a broken back.

[Jess!]

Yes, you did.

[Miss Thunder]

DEFINETLY. Good for you

THe best thing you could do is to get off, especially if you think your in a dangerous situation. Your safety is above all the most important thing!

I was riding my mare once, and some kids accrossed the lake were throwing rocks at us, and into the bushs. The sound was TERRIFYING Redie. It got to the point I couldn't handle it anymore, so I dismounted and hand-walked her home. Once the boys were gone, and things had calmed down, I brought her back on the trail and things were fine. We were both a bit tensed, but got over it quickly and enjoyed the rest of our ride.

Do whatever you have to to feel safe

[dockeramb]

I think you did the right thing. I would have done the same thing. Especially on the black top. That's too dangerous to be on a hard top road, and try to school a horse that's freaked out of his mind!! And taking him back out and letting him see what all the shooting was about was a great thing to do. If they shoot there alot, it'll be a good opportunity for him to get used to the noise, and the smell of the guns being fired. If the wind was blowing in your direction from where they were shooting, he probably smelled that, and added to his fears. I'm glad all went well, and neither of you got hurt.

[Dandy_Brush]

you did the right thing!! i would never ride out the spooking outside on a trail or by my self!! if the horse reierd he could fall on you!! you deffinitly did the right thing!! good for you!! you have a smart head on your shoulders!!

[cowgurly02]

You did the right thing. It calmed down your horse and prevented any injury to you and your horse. Good job!

[naughtygirl]

I think u did the rite thing. very smart of u well done

[ROO]

I would have done what you did. Actually I wouldnt ride it out even if my trainer told me to, especially b/c he calmed down alot after you got off.

[CrazyHorse]

You most definitely did the right thing. You could have very possibly saved both your lives.

[Painted_Spots]

Yup - there's a big difference in 'riding out' a spooking fit, and 'creating an issue' of a spooking fit. On a horse who's PANICKING, the best thing to do is to try and get him/her to grasp onto something familiar... usually that something is YOU. You are the one who's always brought comfort and reassureance before, so getting off to let the horse know you're right there with him is the best thing to do - it's amazing how when they panic they simply forget you're up there!

Well done on using common sense.