Advice on a horse that rears

[Leg_end]

As others have said.. it isnt worth it.

My old horse died on me after rearing and going over backwards. It turned out that he had an aneurysm that finally burst and I was bloody lucky to survive it.

I didnt know but I found out a while afterwards that he was a habitual rearer prior to coming to me and had been over at least 3 times before. The rears he did with me (only twice before the last time) were big and vertical and he didnt care. It always happened when you put him under pressure but I learnt very quickly when I could push him and when I couldnt - the last people who had him kept pushing him and he made them pay for it

He was clearly in pain - the vet said those episodes were probably 'mini bleeds' and so he couldnt get rid of them in his head

I feel awful still and the image of him on the ground still haunts me but I have learnt if all vet reports come back negative then just leave them be!! Even if this horse had a full body scan it may not have been picked up. I wouldnt want anyone to have to go through what I did

 

[AmyMay]

Haven't read the other responses, so sorry if I repeat.

But I would not be riding this horse. IT COULD KILL YOU!

 

[Halfstep]

I had a friend who was a seriously talented young rider. He had just got his first "proper" riding job (i.e. not mucking out!) for a big name trainer and was on his way with his career.

Unfortunately ended up underneath a horse that went over backwards, broke his pelvis in a number of places and was never able to ride again. Career over before it even really started.

Moral of the story, if you make a living from riding, value your body because you need it.
You have nothing to prove by riding a rearer and everything to protect by refusing to get on board.

 

[georgiegirl]

Twiggy reared for months when ever the pressure was put on and at that point everyone was telling me to get rid. She never actually went over backwards but did go vertical and i must admit once or twice I have kicked my stirrups free and slid out the side door when it got too high!

We sorted her by as soon as her feet left the ground I'd whip her round to the side - they cant go up so high as they need to come down to get their balance and then just turn her in endless tight circles until she got the message and cooperated - at one point she tried biting my leg when we were doing this and i know I'll get shot down for saying this but she got the wrong end of my boot and didnt try it again little madam.

From doing this every single day I dont think she has attempted to go up in the last 6 months now (shes rising 6)

I would personally give that method a go and then if your not getting anywhere after that then get rid. Its just not worth it. x

 

[jm70]

I admire your tenacity and your willingness to give the horse a chance but if you have excluded all of the obvious sources of pain then there is little else you can do. Often behaviour problems do arise when a horse has pain but once these responses are well established it is very difficult to cure them. Riders often secretly enjoy the challenge of the difficult horse but a horse that readily throws itself over backwards is really pushing it! If it goes over again and you break a leg then believe me you will be lucky. It could just as easily roll over and crush you to death or perhaps even worse snap your back in two and render you paralysed! Sorry to be morbid but I have seen it happen and its no good believing it wont happen to you.

One thing you dont mention is the bridle. It could be a long-shot but it is possible that a) she gets her tongue over the bit and then panics b) the bridle is too sharp c) when she tenses so do you - sending a message straight down the reins d) all of the above.

Good luck and please dont get hurt!

 

[Vicki1986]

this horse sounds like one a friend used to have, it just didnt have the mental capacity for anything too complicated. sold it to a quiet hacking home in the end and i believe he's quite happy. some horses just cant deal with what they percieve to be a stressful situation.

my mare rears when she spooks out hacking alone, shes not in any physical pain - just a pain in the rear! It makes it difficult as i want to 1/2 loan her but am apprehensive as she can be quite quick off the mark to see something spooky, spin and go up. perhaps i should ride along with an egg in one hand...cant quite see myself navigating a spazzy mare on the road, negiotating traffic all with an egg precariously balanced in my hand ready to pounce though!