Young horse problems

Question
I have a 4 year old Paint gelding(lives in a stall) that I bought just a year
ago. He has been going great with his training, but he has 2 issues- he is
terrified of outdoor arenas and open spaces, and he freaks out when around other
horses. He is fine when in an indoor arena when alone and in the round pen, but
once you take him out in a differently shaped arena that is outdoors, he'll keep
his head high in the air while his tail is flagging and will start jigging
around. He has reared a few times as well. For the horse anxiety thing, whenever
he sees 1 or two or more horses in the arena or outside, he will start snorting,
prancing, running around me in circles(if he manages to get away with it) and
jigging. I have tried keeping his feet moving in all directions-forward,
backward, sideways, front end, hind end and it seems to work a little until we
start moving around. Can you give me some advice? Thanks!


Answer
Hello Haley,

This behavior is totally normal for a young, high spirited and, as yet, unsocialized horse.  He only needs more and more of this exposure to outdoors and other horses.  Try taking him out unmounted, with halter and lead (you may need chain at first) where there are other horses. You may even try lunging him first to get rid of the first tension and excitement.  He will out grow it if you expose him more and more.

Also, find someone with an older mount that you can go trailing riding with and take the youngster out with him only.  Your patience is called for here, and your desire to socialize him.  Take him to shows, trail rides, all unmounted, so you do not have to worry about being on his back while he is frisky.

I have one that was just like him ... a mare.  They do settle down after a while, but only if you expose them to that which excites them. If you shelter them from it, it only gets worse.

Happy riding,
Dorothy