A little help/advice pls - what would you do? (a tad long, sorry)

B

Blondie1

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 May 2009
Messages
164
Visit site
Hi,

I am currently having a few little issues with my gelding Archie and i'm now starting to feel a bit low about it.

I have had Archie for just over a year now and over the last month when i or anyone else have been leading him to and from his field he has been rearing and they are huge rears! But its not every day - maybe once a week. In the year i have had him he has had a few moments of rearing whilst being led but this was kind of once in a blue moon, mainly when he's been out in wet windy weather. Most of the time he leads extremely well like a little angel.

When he rears i tell him off using my voice and then a firm tug on the leadrope incorporated with a firm 'NO' Normally he will only rear once and after the telling off he's fine but sometimes he will react even more - and i can only presume that its him reacting to the telling off i give him. Beating him is not an option with him as he reacts worse and to be honest i'm not a believer in beating.

I am now at the point where i am feeling nervous before i've even put his headcollar on which i know is not good. He is very sensitive and picks up on everything. I try so hard to be positive but as soon as he rears i kinda turn to jelly, i stay firm with my voice and body language but can feel my whole body shaking. Its stupid that i should feel this fear because he's never hurt me when he rears.

In every other way he is so good. I have explored all sorts of avenues with him so far ie, back check, saddle re-flocked, teeth done (has regular 6month checks). He is regularly excersised. He is currently living out with plenty of good grass and comes in for an hour or so each day to either be excersised or to have a snooze and then hi-fi lite for dinner before being turned back out. From what i can see he's rearing through grumpyness but i could be wrong.

So what would you guys do/try if you were me?

Thanks in advance xxx
 
Have you tried a chiffney? From time to time mine decides he is going to be rude and just tow me so he goes back in a chiffney till he remembers his manners..
 
Poor you. Sounds like you're in a bit of a vicious circle.

First of all, ALWAYS wear your hat while you're leading him.
Lead him out in a bridle, which gives you a bit more control.
You're basically doing the right things. When he does it growl at him, and make him march on. Sometimes I'd make him walk backwards and forwards from the field to the stable and back, so he gets bored of being naughty, especially if he is rushing to get to the field.
If you're worried, try and get someone bigger and more experienced to go with you.
Best of luck..xx
 
I'm reluctant to use a chiffney on him because he has a very sensitive mouth and i have only just managed to get him semi happy in his current bit he's in - so really worried this may ruin his mouth and then we're back to square one with the riding.

Oh yes i always wear my hat and gloves now. He is strange though because he's not bolshy or rushing to and from field. He will walk really nicely and quietly and then all of a sudden his head goes up and up he goes!

So wish i could get into his head and understand him.
 
So what would you guys do/try if you were me?
Click to expand...

Try not to make an issue of it. If he goes straight up - but is not pulling away from you, then you should be able to cope with it quite well.

My big 16.2hh went through a phase of doing this - I just stood my ground gave him a stern No, and no more. Whilst he was going through this phase I always led him in a bridle.

Wearing a hat is a sensible precaution. And I wouldn't advocate a chiffney in this particular situation.
 
you could use either a dually or a rope pressure halter to lead him and a long lead rope or lunge rein. When he goes up fight him, not too much because you don't want him to go over, but enough to make it uncomfortable whilst he is up there, when he comes down you must release the pressure immediately as he is coming down so that his reward is that it is more comfortable to stay down and then just continue walking him on as normal (as if you didn't even notice anything odd in his behaviour). Make sure you always wear a hat and gloves when leading him to keep yourself safe. If you don't feel confident enough to do this yourself try to find an IH Recommended Associate close to you, this is something that could be stopped in one session if handled properly (my boy reared twice with RA and has never done it since with anyone) and will cost you around £25 - £30, they will also show you how to deal with it yourself. The RA I used instigated the rears on my boy because he didn't do it all the time.
 
Hat. Gloves. Bridle.

Do you only lead him to and from the field? Does he rear anywhere else?

Lots of groundwork, bearing in mind the rear potential. Get a book (there's a good one that I've used in the past, but I've forgotten its name! I'll dig it out) that shows you different ground handling sessions. If you can't get one, then walk forwards/stop/start/move away left or right/if he goes left, you go right. All calm and quiet, no need for raised voices or rough handling (not saying that you would!). Get him listening to you.

I've done this with horses in the past. Had to set aside half an hour just to get to the field! But it was worth it :). Mine didn't rear, they were just generally ar$e$ and wanted to get to where we were going quicker than I did :rolleyes:. One day Tigs was a complete witch when being brought it (and it just had to be from the furthest point of the furthest field). Scared me a bit, but then I thought Oh bu&&er this! and made her effectively lunge around me all the way up. At the top gate she had dropped her head and was moving away from pressure like a good 'un :D
 
MrsMozart said:
Do you only lead him to and from the field? Does he rear anywhere else?
Click to expand...

ATM i have to lead him through another field before i get onto the yard and this was the only place he would rear. But this morning whilst leading him from his night time patch into his daytime patch he went to bite me so told him off, sharp tug on leadrope and then he just went straight up. Told him off again once he'd landed (I tend to freeze and go silent whilst he's up there) Then he led to his patch like an angel. Its a little confusing.

xxx
 
I don't see how a chiffney can ruin a horses mouth used correctly? mine has a very good mouth but I am absolutely not going to get into any arguments with him when he can use his strength against me. He is a full up 16.2 m/w and bright with it - not nasty but not above trying his luck from time to time. I am strong (like all equine women!) but not quite 5.5" so... chiffney and then he gives in. Bearing in mind that when he is normally turned out/caught he will have at the very least a chain in his mouth - his choice, its on the lead rope he has and he likes to hold it when he comes in!
 
Personally you could 'try' all sorts of things. Unfortunately this has scared you which is not going to helpy out try and sort it out alone, an issue like rearing is a pain in the bum anyway, let alone if now you are terrified of him doing it.

If I were you, i would get michael peace out. Let him (an expert) assess the situation and try and help you reslove it once and for all. The fact that you are already nervous by the time even go to take him out suggests proper help is what is needed for both him and you.

Goodluck.x
 
I'm having similar problems with my youngster so can sympathise. He was rearing when he didn't want something done to him, i.e wormer, rug, etc. Have managed to stop the rearing by holding my ground. He's been mistreated so shouting & balling & smacking is just not an option with him. Just a firm NO & a tug on the lead rope. I also bought an anti-rear headcollar & he really respects that - the lead rope attaches to a separate strap that goes over the poll so as soon as he starts pulling back on the lead rope the pressure is increased on his poll, he hasn't tried rearing since I've put it on him. It's from Shires - 9.99

http://www.shiresequestrian.co.uk/shop/product.php?productid=452&cat=666&page=1

Now, we still have the striking out problem, but we are getting there :rolleyes:
 
Luci07 said:
I don't see how a chiffney can ruin a horses mouth used correctly?
Click to expand...

I have never used a chiffney, i have just heard that it could do more harm if used incorrectly. So if i went down that route i would want to be shown exactly how to use it.

heidirusso - If i get professional help, what happens if Archie is an angel on the day of the professionals visit? Do you know how much he charges please?

xxx
 
amymay said:
Try not to make an issue of it. If he goes straight up - but is not pulling away from you, then you should be able to cope with it quite well.

Agreed Amy! I would ignore him, dont even tell him off because that can do two things, i.e. make it more freightening for hm and react to being told off too or he is getting attention from you which is what he may be trying to get. I know that sounds hard but just ignore him, dont look at him directly, let him have his hissy and move on. Perhaps lead out with a long rope/lunge line as not to lose him. Good luck!!! :D
Click to expand...
 
I would wear hat gloves and use a dually. I hate chiffneys with a passion, so many times are they used in the wrong hands.

If my horse started this i would...once he has reared, give him a tug on the rope like you said you've been doing and a firm no and then back him up firmly a good 5/6 steps and mean it, if he doesnt want to go forwards then he can go backwards.

i used to work at a stud and we led all our stallions in headcollars and a rope and they had impeciable manners and if they started thinking about messing around we'd always back them up, halt and walk on again as normal. I know yours isnt a stallion but this may help for you. I used this with our youngsters when they got pushy when leading and it helped so much.
Good luck and keep trying x x
 
ThoroughbredStar said:
amymay said:
Try not to make an issue of it. If he goes straight up - but is not pulling away from you, then you should be able to cope with it quite well.

Agreed Amy! I would ignore him, dont even tell him off because that can do two things, i.e. make it more freightening for hm and react to being told off too or he is getting attention from you which is what he may be trying to get. I know that sounds hard but just ignore him, dont look at him directly, let him have his hissy and move on. Perhaps lead out with a long rope/lunge line as not to lose him. Good luck!!! :D
Click to expand...

Quite possibly this is what he's doing - Attention thing for him maybe? Do you think possibly try the headcollar that 'Jackobean' has suggested? Especially for when other people need to get him in - to maybe give them piece of mind - Or is the poll pressure not a good idea?

xxx
Click to expand...
 
I personally wouldn't put any extra pressure on him as it just gives him something to fight. Sorry did you say how old he was??

My experience with youngsters and some prob horses has been to ignore unwanted behaviour like that. As long as it's not malicious etc ignoring is the way forward. I got a couple of youngsters who at times do silly things and I don't react. They soon get bored.

:D :)
 
ThoroughbredStar said:
I personally wouldn't put any extra pressure on him as it just gives him something to fight. Sorry did you say how old he was??

My experience with youngsters and some prob horses has been to ignore unwanted behaviour like that. As long as it's not malicious etc ignoring is the way forward. I got a couple of youngsters who at times do silly things and I don't react. They soon get bored.

:D :)
Click to expand...

He's 13 so really should know better! lol. He comes across as i little grumpy at times. I dont think he's had a great life so far but I'm doing everything i can to make his life better now - just wish he would cut me some slack sometimes. lol

xxx
 
ThoroughbredStar said:
Just a quick thought.......You don't think some else that has led him out has really told him off recently which made him do that???
Click to expand...

Possibly.... I had one girl from the yard who is fearless (possibly a little too big for her boots) bring him in for me last Friday and he reared with her and all she said was that she told him off and he didn't do it again. He had not reared for about a week and a half up to then. My boyfriend can lead him with no problems at all and he is non horsey which is strange and the only other girl who leads him is very quiet and i know she would only give him a firm 'NO'.

But saying this he has been good with me for a week since last Friday's rear with other girl and only this morning he reared when i told him off for trying to bite me.

The plot thickens! lol

xxx
 
My old mare used to rear badly while being led when I first got her. She would go bolt upright and waver her feet over my head, it was really scary.

I got help from an Intelligent Horsemanship Representative. I know people can be snooty about 'horse whisperers' and I had never needed to use one before but she was great. It was all common sense really and she taught me how to do lots of ground exercises with my horse so my horse saw me as the leader.

I used to lead my mare out with a lunge line and a headcoller. When she reared I just let her go up, standing well out the way obviously! As soon as she landed I would back her up and forwards several times in quick sucession. Tbh once we had a better relationship on the ground she stopped doing it. She did it once or twice after the lady had been and that was it. The IH lady said she was trying to release tension. I would never have used a chifney on my mare, she was a very sensitive horse and that would have panicked her. I could never 'force' her to do anything, I had to make it her decision.

It also helped massively with loading and shoeing issues that I had with her as well.

She was an angel at the end, I could ride her up to the field bareback in a headcoller and when she was frightened being led she would never rear.

It was really good. Just google Intelligent Horsemanship and they have representatives all over the country :). Its not parelli or anything like it, its just common sense and approching problems from a different angle.
 
firewell said:
My old mare used to rear badly while being led when I first got her. She would go bolt upright and waver her feet over my head, it was really scary.

I got help from an Intelligent Horsemanship Representative. I know people can be snooty about 'horse whisperers' and I had never needed to use one before but she was great. It was all common sense really and she taught me how to do lots of ground exercises with my horse so my horse saw me as the leader.

I used to lead my mare out with a lunge line and a headcoller. When she reared I just let her go up, standing well out the way obviously! As soon as she landed I would back her up and forwards several times in quick sucession. Tbh once we had a better relationship on the ground she stopped doing it. She did it once or twice after the lady had been and that was it. The IH lady said she was trying to release tension. I would never have used a chifney on my mare, she was a very sensitive horse and that would have panicked her. I could never 'force' her to do anything, I had to make it her decision.

It also helped massively with loading and shoeing issues that I had with her as well.

She was an angel at the end, I could ride her up to the field bareback in a headcoller and when she was frightened being led she would never rear.

It was really good. Just google Intelligent Horsemanship and they have representatives all over the country :). Its not parelli or anything like it, its just common sense and approching problems from a different angle.
Click to expand...


Fab reply!!!!! I agree with all that!! :D
 
Just read some of the other answers. I agree, dont tell him off. Thats what the IH told me as well. The lunge line keeps you safe as you can move away from him while still holding him and the immediate backing up she told me to do was the 'consequence', it reasserted me as the leader and also dissapated some of the adrenaline going through the horse, it gets them focused on you and you are telling them where to put their feet but your not panicking them or scarying/confusing them by telling them off.

Sorry hope that helps!
 
Blondie1 said:
Possibly.... I had one girl from the yard who is fearless (possibly a little too big for her boots) bring him in for me last Friday and he reared with her and all she said was that she told him off and he didn't do it again. He had not reared for about a week and a half up to then. My boyfriend can lead him with no problems at all and he is non horsey which is strange and the only other girl who leads him is very quiet and i know she would only give him a firm 'NO'.

But saying this he has been good with me for a week since last Friday's rear with other girl and only this morning he reared when i told him off for trying to bite me.

The plot thickens! lol

xxx
Click to expand...


Hmmmmm.......fishy! lol. I'd maybe say he told off for being bit sensitive which has caused over sensitivity??? Keep going, be calm and relaxed with him! Good luck Blondie!
 
Blondie1 said:
Possibly.... I had one girl from the yard who is fearless (possibly a little too big for her boots) bring him in for me last Friday and he reared with her and all she said was that she told him off and he didn't do it again. He had not reared for about a week and a half up to then. My boyfriend can lead him with no problems at all and he is non horsey which is strange and the only other girl who leads him is very quiet and i know she would only give him a firm 'NO'.

But saying this he has been good with me for a week since last Friday's rear with other girl and only this morning he reared when i told him off for trying to bite me.

The plot thickens! lol

xxx
Click to expand...

Hmmmmmm......fishy!!!! I suspect he been told off for being sensitive by the girl and has caused him to be lil scared.....maybe???
 
Thanks so much everyone for your replies.

I will try the calm and sensitive approach. Failing that then a professional or IH might be required BUT i will try to sort this myself first - i am determined! Just need to tell myself to be braver and remind myself to just keep well clear wen he does go up so i wont need to worry about getting hurt.

I will let you know how it all goes - I would love to be able to tell you in a the future that i am riding him backback down to the field in harmony : )

xxx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top