Ears craning forward is indicative of a spook coming up (ears sideways or pointing back towards the rider is more of 'no, I'm not going forward' mentality). With this kind of reaction I stop, let the horse look, and proceed, perhaps one step at a time, sometimes even one or two more reinback strides – horses kind of think with their feet and if you can get them conscious of where they're putting them, the brain cells start thinking again, away from the 'flight' response.’