What makes pegasus wings lock up and how common is it?

[Landi 602]

There is a silly little detail in Dragonshy which has had me thinking. In the episode, there is a scene where Fluttershy's wings lock up after hearing the dragon growl. It has made me ponder upon two main questions: what exactly makes pegasus wings lock up like this, and how common is it among pegasi (for instance, can it happen to any pegasi or just certain individuals, and on average how much does this happen in a pegasus's life?)? I'm curious to see what you all think.

 

[Fluttershutter 2,634]

When you get scared you clench up. Watch scare videos and watch how often people fall down for no reason.  It's the same thing.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

As @Fluttershutter said, it's most likely due to high levels of fear, just like in Dragonshy. Alternatively, they could lock up due to being hit with paralyzing magic or...something else...

[Fluttershutter 2,634]

Or crampss, I guesss.

[Astralshy 28,225]

High levels of fear is the reason in Dragonshy. This will happen to not so brave pegasi easier. Besides Fluttershy I would also think her parents and her brother would be easier to experience that, but it can happen to every pegasi. To say how common this is depends therefore on the character of the pegasi, so it's hard to tell.

I can only do a conjecture here: This is not too common because

• I have seen this only once happening (in nine season)
• I can only think about a few pegasi which are easy to experience it ( we've seen many pegasi)

If this is occurring due to a cramp or paralyzing magic then I think also every pegasi can experience it. I can't say much about the paralyzing magic part. As for cramps I think it can happen to pegasi as easy as it can happen to us. At least I don't know any argument which contradicts that.

As for the frequency of this occurring one pegasus's it depends on the character, life, environment etc. In general I think it happens also not often and most likely more often in the early life of a pegasi.

 

[Evil Pink One 13,519]

I guess it's called accepting ones demise. Like when a mouse is faced by a cat. The mouse is frozen in fear. Or when a kid knows he's in trouble and can't move while his dad approaches. So same as the pegasi inflicted with great fear will stop flying.... 

[Evil Pink One 13,519]

Oh another examples are the villains demise... Like tirek was so shocked that the mane six got magic again and he couldn't accept it and just let the rainbow hit him... Or discord who got re-stoned again.