Without a doubt, one of the most frustrating issues riders face with their horse is that of their horse spooking. Most horses do it to some degree. Some sort of spook on the spot and some do a huge spook and bolt away. Anyone and everyone who has been around horses or ridden for long has either learned this the hard way (through experience), or the other way (someone else’s experience). It’s part of the inherent risk that comes with riding a thousand pound prey animal with very keen senses, dynamite reflexes and the desire to stay alive.

There are countless riders that come off of their horses each year while trail riding in the woods. They are out with some friends on a beautiful day, enjoying some conversation together when out of nowhere a deer jumps up from the side of the trail and spooks one or more of the horses.

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.