I have to agree with Cindy’s
comments on this not being Arab specific.
In fact the horse that did the fastest 180
I’ve ever ridden was a 16.1 hand New Zealand thoroughbred. I found
him *much* spookier on the trails
that my Arab mare. She is wonderful – she does a drop & slight
sideways spook at walk or trot, and then the larger sideways spook in stride
(sometimes with a flying lead change so she can change her bend to look at the
spook object) at the canter. I have never yet come off from a spook with
her. (Though once or twice it’s been a little close!)
The TB spooked at a horse eating fawn that
was just around a corner. Since he saw the fawn before me (that long
neck) I only barely even realized what we were spinning from. One instant
I see fawn, the next we are facing the other way and cantering down the
trail. I of course pulled the horse up and made him go back the right
way. We did see the fawn again (and my horse spun again) but at least
that time I was ready for it!
