JanetGeorge
Well-Known Member
I've had quite a few rearers in my day (they're cheap, lol) One I had was virtually cured before I came to the UK (he was an ex hurdle-racer I evented). Cured him by spinning him hard on the spot every time he tried (you've got to be quick and kick, kick, kick.) After about 6 months of that, he never reared wih me but reared with anyone he didn't know. Luckily I found a buyer who was keen enough - and smart enough to follow instructions.
The first horse I bought in the UK was a 4yo, half Cleveland Bay. He was meant to be backed. I found out after I'd bought him that he'd been sold 8 weeks earlier for £1200 MORE than I paid for him - so figure it out. He reared when he didn't want to go forward, or if anything spooked him, but by the time the poppet was 14, he only reared if a bigger horse came alongside him who was bigger than he was! So he was only partly cured - by the same method - but he was incredibly well balanced and only went over once in 10 years - and that was with my husband who pulled him over (not deliberately, pure incompetence!)
I did have oe of my home-breds - perfect manners when she left here - come home after a 6 week trial period with the Met. (She allegedly didn't like pedestrians.) The first two days back she reared several times - but stopped damn quick and didn't ever do it in her new/current home.
You need to consider WHY they do it - and go on from there. But a neckstrap is vital unless you can be sure of perfect balance!
The first horse I bought in the UK was a 4yo, half Cleveland Bay. He was meant to be backed. I found out after I'd bought him that he'd been sold 8 weeks earlier for £1200 MORE than I paid for him - so figure it out. He reared when he didn't want to go forward, or if anything spooked him, but by the time the poppet was 14, he only reared if a bigger horse came alongside him who was bigger than he was! So he was only partly cured - by the same method - but he was incredibly well balanced and only went over once in 10 years - and that was with my husband who pulled him over (not deliberately, pure incompetence!)
I did have oe of my home-breds - perfect manners when she left here - come home after a 6 week trial period with the Met. (She allegedly didn't like pedestrians.) The first two days back she reared several times - but stopped damn quick and didn't ever do it in her new/current home.
You need to consider WHY they do it - and go on from there. But a neckstrap is vital unless you can be sure of perfect balance!