We sometimes have a herd come through while we're in the ring riding, and all the horses go nutz! I hate it when we're out on the trail, because everybody spooks in all directions. Even steady old Gracie jumps a mile.
My horses have all jumped when deer pop up out of the brush. But once they know it’s a deer they are OK. I have deer come graze in the pasture with the horses, so they are use to them. It’s just that many times the deer wait till we’re about right on top of them to jump up and take off, heck they startle me.
Sometimes my dog will scare them up before the horse and I get to them. The horse may stop to watch the dog chase them off, but I think that’s more of just watching, not spooking.
Becky