Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Understanding Your Horse’s Behavior by author and equine behavior specialist Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB. 

Q. My new horse–my first–is a 12-year-old Thoroughbred. I do not know all of her history, but I understand it has had its rough patches. She was one of a group of underfed broodmares rescued from an abusive owner. Fortunately, she was in two good homes before she came to me.

She was very quiet and withdrawn when I purchased her, but now she is blossoming into a more complex character — sweeter, yet more stubborn, with a strong tendency to spook