Advice needed on horse that's started rearing & bolting

[sandi_84]

A friend of mine rides a horse that she helps look after but she was telling me that she hasn't been able to ride him for months because whenever she manages to mount he rears (she can't sit the rears - tbh she's a fairly novice rider) and then bolts. She kept trying for a while but now she's extremely nervous.
I asked if he'd been checked over by the vet for any pain related issues and he has been and given the all clear.
I said I'd give her a hand and my thoughts on the issue was to take it all right back to basics with a theme on re backing sort of.
I thought we'd start with just putting on the saddle - treat, girth extremely loose - treat and remove the saddle - treat. Continue that for a while then over a period of time keep gradually tighten the girth and treat leaving the saddle on for slightly longer periods of time as we go along with the process.
After however long it takes to get into his head that saddling and girthing is a-ok then move on to putting weight on the saddle (from the ground) and treat, continue doing this for longer periods of time till he is ok with that, then try leaning over him and treat and continue doing this for longer periods.
Eventually (crossing my fingers here) I'd like to sit on and then dismount continuing the treating etc (I can sit a rear and have practice dismounting correctly from a rear if it all goes pete tong) and hopefully build his trust in us that sitting on him is going to be a pleasant experience.
We are just looking to be able to eventually mount, not do anything else at the moment. Obviously I'll have someone on the ground with a lead rope attached and although I have helped back and start horses I've never done it without someone experienced being there to help.
What do you think? Is the above sounding ok or are there flaws that I'm not seeing? Does anyone have any other suggestions? Sending him away is apparently not a viable solution so we are all on our lonesome with this one

 

[TheMule]

Define "checked over by a vet" as unless it has had a full work up, probably involving spinal x rays and possibly a bone scan, I'd be willing to bet pain is the cause.

There's chance a rest and an experienced rider could make a difference now but you could get injured trying so I personally wouldn't risk it without a full all clear

 

[frannieuk]

My one piece of advice would be to make sure that you don't put the girth on too loose, and that you use a breastplate, just in case the horse reacts adversely - the last thing you want is for the saddle to slip back and/or end up round his belly!

ETA - I also agree with TheMule regarding the work up before trying anything.

 

[sandi_84]

Define "checked over by a vet" as unless it has had a full work up, probably involving spinal x rays and possibly a bone scan, I'd be willing to bet pain is the cause.

There's chance a rest and an experienced rider could make a difference now but you could get injured trying so I personally wouldn't risk it without a full all clear

Pain was my initial thought too Unfortunately I can't elaborate I got told the vet had checked him by the girl (should say woman as she's older than me) who helps but I stupidly never thought to ask what had been done. I'll have a word and see if I can get more info but I won't be seeing her till next week as I'm off to the OH's for the weekend and the mothership is in charge of our two till I get back. I am a little reluctant to get on a horse I know could hurt me as I definitely don't bounce like I used to but I'd like to help as much as I can and I suppose I'll just have to see how it goes.
If the vet did do a full work up and it really is not a physical problem though do you think that would be a viable route to go down?

 

[sandi_84]

My one piece of advice would be to make sure that you don't put the girth on too loose, and that you use a breastplate, just in case the horse reacts adversely - the last thing you want is for the saddle to slip back and/or end up round his belly!

Oh aye I wouldn't even consider getting on until we'd got to the point that we could get the girth tight enough for mounting To be fair to him the problem isn't really the saddling and girthing, he's fine with that apparently but I just thought it would be best to really go back to basics with him.

 

[PandorasJar]

Agree totally franni. This doesn't only apply when someone sat on Sandi. If he goes up or saddle slips round without regardless of someone on it'll set him back.
Tbh I'd not use a girth unless doing up properly. If it's the pressure I'd just use a surcingle and saddle pad, then do girth up properly if fine.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Really needs a proper vet check....spine X-rays to check for kissing spine would be first thing to ask for if you can, be fore you can safely say is behavioural. Also has horse been fine in the past?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'll go against the grain here and say I wouldn't be surprised if he's just doing it 'cos he can with his novice rider, so you'll probably have no trouble. But a word of caution, fasten the girth normally, although not necessarily as tight as you would when you re actually in the saddle, so that the saddle doesn't slip and try to use a soft surface when you actually get to mounting him, just in case. Otherwise your ideas sound fine to me.

Mine started being awkward at he mounting block, she would just take a side-step as I made to put my foot in the stirrup. I found that making her take several steps backwards reminded her who was in charge and then she behaved herself.