Crossword Genius

What the horse did when confronted with a coconut? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shied

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'confronted with a coconut?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'what the horse did when' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'horse' could be 'h' (synonyms) and 'h' is found within the answer.
'when' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sid' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shied that I've seen before include "Cast" , "Flung, tossed" , "Jumped nervously; threw" , "started" , "Thrown" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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