anti- rearing halters - some advice please? A bit long...

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darksecret99

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99% of the time my 5yo is a dope on a rope to lead to the field and back, but if other horses are going nuts nearby, he gets in a total panic and rears up (and being 17.1hh, his hooves are head height!! Not good!!!) - this has happened 3 times now and I dont want it to happen again!!!!

Since I cant stop horses going loopy in the field (although, the risk could be reduced hugely if my YO had any common sense... but dont even get me started on that!!)... I want to tackle this before it becomes a big problem...

I've just ordered one of the halters that has an extra rope that passes over the poll, which the leadrope clips onto.... (my YO has a chiffeny I could borrow, but that seems a bit extreme, since he is a tatal plod most of the time!)... I've not had to deal with rearing before, so would like some advice please - what is the most effective way to use them? I would be interested to hear how other people have dealt with simelar problems!!

Should I just bide my time until it happens again (which probs wont be too long, due to bad management at the yard!!) and deal with it then... or should I try and recreate a "controlled" situation that might cause him to rear... to trya nd get the problems sorted before it happens again "for real"....
 
I had never used a chiffney before I moved to the yard I am now. On the day we moved, Mac completely freaked and was going nuts in his stable. Put his bridle on to try and take him to the field (was seriously worried he would do himself harm in stable), but he was totally out of control. He was rearing, spinning etc. One of the liveries on the yard grabbed a chiffney and we cornered him and got it on him. He was instantly a lot calmer. 99.9% of the time, I lead him in a headcollar, but on the odd occasion I suspect he might play up, I put the chiffney on and he walks like a lamb beside me.

He is only 16.1, but Suffolk Punch X, a real big strong lad.
 
Chiffney for me every time! Mine can go mental coming in from the field and he is damn right dangerous when he does go mental.

the minute the chiffney goes in his mouth he is calmer and contolable and actually keeps his feet on the floor!!!!!
 
Do the anti-rearing halters not work at all then??

(I would rather use a chiffeny than find out the halters are useless when its too late!!)
 
i'm a chiffeny girl aswell - but if you have cold feet just use bridle with normal bit and also be very positive about leading and not waiting for the rearing to start. Hard hat, proper boot and gloves
 
I use a chiffney when needed too as my horse does not try to mess about with one in. I have never had any problems with it, but was shown how to use it properly first.
I am a firm believer in prevention is better than cure and would rather have something in place that will stop the behaviour before it happens than have half a tonne of horse messing about around me.
 
Thanks for your suggestions

When he has reared it was because he didnt want to go forward, so panicked and went upwards instead... he didnt look to bugger off at all.... so I thought one of the halters would be a good idea cos they are designed to apply pressure if the horse does not move forwards or goes upwards... and release if they walk forward... whereas I though a chiffeny was designed more for keeping control of a strong/ bargy rearing type cos the lever action works as you pull downward or towards the horses chest? (Havent used either though... so please enlighten me if I have got this all wrong!!!!)

Will the chiffeny have any effect if he stops and plants his feet (which what he did each time before going upwards!!)? When he did it, it seems to happen so quick... he was walking alongside me one moment, then stopped, so I was a step infront, then before I could step back by his side to drive him forward (I have a long lead rope I can swing behind me when I am walking at his shoulder to encourage him forward from behind), he reared, so we ended up in a tug of war type situation...
 
chifney every time, I have a wonderful horse on loan, full ID and not your average plod, very lively and very bouncy + nimble for a big boy! when I load him or handle him for any distance on the ground, chifney! its wonderful and they know instantly and behave!

It will help you lead him and stop him planting yes, but go gently if he is not used to one, gradually they learn that they cannot fight it, he definately should not continue to go up...one hopes!
 
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