i deal with problem horses on a day to day basis, my advice would be not to have the rein contact too loose, but do NOT hang on to the horses mouth.

If you keep your leg against the horses side as it spooks, keeping your hands down gently flex one rein then the other, making sure you dont see-saw with the reins, but correcting his head movement. Talk in a low voice to the horse using words you use to do a down transition (steady/woah etc).

If you use a gentle yet firm contact (meaning not holding the horses head in a fixed position but allowing some movement of the head) at all times you'll find that you do not have to cange the rein contact theough a spook.

Do not bring your hands up in a panic, as this raises the horses head and will allow the horse to rear if it so wishes.

Best of luck, be sure to let us know how it goes next time!

Becca
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