Is your horse always on red alert and quick to spook? Learn how to ease tension with Anna Miller

In this feature. . . Get the best out of a spooky horse Ride for relaxation Add cadance and lift to his paces

As told to Kiera Boyle. Photos: Lucy Merrell

Riding a horse who jumps at his own shadow poses a unique set of challenges for any rider. It can make your dressage training a lot more troublesome because the extra tension will have a jarring effect on his rhythm and disrupt the movement you were riding. It also means he’ll struggle to relax and truly let go enough to show off his paces, costing you valuable marks. However, there are lots of ways you can train your spooky horse to encourage him to relax and take things in his stride. I’m here to help solve the problems you may face as a result of tension, so you can get the best out of him between the boards.

What is tension?

When a judge writes the dreaded phrase ‘tense’ on your score sheet, it usually refers to stiffness, a lack of relaxation, choppy paces and over-reaction to your aids or scary objects around the arena. Tension usually manifests itself in a horse’s frame, so it’s important to understand why your horse is feeling tense – is it due to his fitness, the fit of his tack, or his confidence level? As long as you can rule out any physical causes, you can begin to school him with a focus on relaxation. The most important aspect to establish is a relationship of trust between you, which takes time, patience and understanding.