the neighbor finally picked the beans yesterday and opened up good acess to a couple of miles of riding.. first run thru i got back in about 1/2 mile from the house and the horse zeroed in on a dark blob under a tree about 300 yards down a fence line. It was amazing how she just dialed in on it and I could feel her heart beat increase as she wondered what it was. I eased her up and when we got about fifty yards out dismounted and lead her up to it.. She nuzzled it and immediately began pulling grass. Threat eliminated complete relaxation.. These horse animals are crazy..

Stop getting off of the damned horse!

I'm mostly teasing you, but I'll leave you with this thought. I'll assume that the reason you get off of her is because you are uncomfortable with that big sweeping move that they sometimes make when they spook and try to get away. If that is the case, then just ponder what might happen should that move come as you are in the process of dismounting, which, if she really is THAT scared to not listen to you in these times, the big move may well come as you dismount, because she isn't paying you any attention, and suddenly something makes a big move right on top of her and it's more than she can take. This is basic horse safety and doesn't apply to just you and your horse.
If they sweep away from you, or go backwards quickly while you are dismounting, you are quite likely to get your foot caught in the stirrup and dragged by an already scared horse. I promise you that this will ruin your day. If they sweep into you while you are high in the saddle trying to get off, you are going over the other side head first. If you are down lower while getting off, and they sweep into you, then you'll probably just get knocked down and stepped on.

I know it may seem hard to believe, but take it from a guy who has done this with literally hundreds of horses. No matter what they are doing, be it bucking, running away, spooking, whatever, you are MUCH more likely to get hurt trying to get off of them , than if you just sit tight and ride through it. I've had them run through fences, both barbed and electric, with me, buck, try and scrape me off on the fence at a lope, take off down ravines in the woods, you name it. The only time you are better off not in the saddle is if they flip over. I learned that lesson the hard way too.

I'll stop picking on you now, and please don't take this as discouragement. I just hate to see people get hurt, and believe me, there is no good to come from you getting off of her every time she gets scared. At best, she is likely to get worse at spooking, because you validate her fear by reacting to it. Just ignore her, and give her some time, or start trotting some circles until her mind is fully back on you before you proceed. In fact, your legs and reins guiding her should give her comfort and support at times when she is insecure.

My .02. FWIW

Yeah, you are much better off not getting off. As long as they are upright, try to ride them out.

appreciate the advice and no offense taken!

I just like good old mother earth under my feet when i'm unsure.

the horse was interested and i could feel her heart beat, but was under control.. She's pretty solid that way. I just dismounted to lead her up to the object, didn't think about riding up to it (i'm sure my self preservation instincts kicking in ) didn't get to ride yesterday because it was rainy and crappy, but will this afternoon..

I know about that big sweeping move, the first time i rode her alone we almost stepped on a fawn in the grass. boy can they move quick and fast and the strength you feel thru the saddle is unbelievable..

If you do need to get off, make the decision QUICK! Speed = pain (squared)

LMH777,
If you like to read, I would highly recommend John Lyon's book "Lyons on Horses" to you. His approach to spooking and how to address problems is completely sound. I have all sorts of books by the "masters", but his is by far the easiest to understand. Some of the others take a bit of discipline to make it through. I'll also warn you that more than a few of the "hollywood horse trainers" are somewhat bogus, but I'll not go into that now.

thanks, i will look that book up

great ride today, dry 40 degrees leaves all changed and dropping

put a few miles on the old girl this am and she was ready to travel when i led her out of the barn

There is a time for everything. Most of the time you need to stay put and work the horse through the problem.

I have a good friend who stayed in the saddle to long, thinking he would sort things out. The horse went of off a very steep hillside and they both rolled head over heal's. He broke his back in 5 places. Another friend got bumped by a spooked pack horse. He bailed and his horse went over a 40' cliff and broke it neck.

Experience will tell you when you need to bail off.

Like learning to drive in snow. When you are a kid and you get in your first snow storm, You are extra careful about sliding, skidding etc. Now days with experience, I enjoy fish tailing in the snow or a good 4 wheel slide that I have confidence that I can control.