Handling a Terrified Horse
Yes, he can be a sweetheart, but like any horse, Dodge is not always predictable.
Dodge “blew up” the other day, which in the equine world is another way of saying he had a complete meltdown. In an instant, he went from calm and relaxed to full-on agitation; from walking with his head down to suddenly spinning around with his head up like a giraffe. If that behavior had only lasted a few seconds or maybe even a minute, I would have said he spooked; but no, this episode lasted NEARLY AN HOUR. He blew up.
It had been a long time since he displayed such behavior, and it was a good reminder that working with horses is not always predictable. S*&t happens, and you have to work with the horse you’ve got in that moment. In that particular moment, I had a terrified one. Dodge is a rescue horse. His next stop before I got him would have been the meat auction. I’ll never know what precisely went on in his life before he came into mine, but he clearly had some trauma for he bears physical scars and is easily frightened. Working with him over the past ten years has been a lesson in not only faith and patience, but how to convey trust and reassurance in equine-speak. In those moments of terror and agitation, we had to go back to basics, to communicating “listen to me, you’re safe; focus on me, not the thing you think is so scary.”
I don’t think I can adequately explain precisely how that’s done. It’s about body language, voice, and intuiting when to reassure and when to apply pressure. I’m no horse-whisperer, but thanks to Dodge I’ve learned a few techniques that have been crucial to our relationship. What I can tell you is that with horses, and indeed all creatures, you never punish fear. You reassure. Always reassure first.
Once you have their attention, even the slightest bit, you can begin to ask for and reward the behavior you seek. Through pressure (the ask) and release (the reward), Dodge gradually came around to where I could ride him calmly once again. We ended the hour in a good place, both reassured that we could survive dealing with a scary thing. And what was that terrifying thing? Believe it or not, another horse lying down in a nearby field! Which goes to show you can’t predict horse behavior, only manage it.
At the end of the day, working with horses is a mix of both skill and art. It’s about building a relationship of trust that together you can manage challenges as they arise.
If you’re a “horse person,” I’d love to know your thoughts on this topic. Have you ever had a horse “blow up,” and if so, how did you deal with it?