Belle reared and tipped me off!

[HollyWoozle]

I booked a lesson on Belle today - first time she's been ridden for two weeks as she was looking a little off on a hind leg so gave her a rest. We have about a 5 min hack up the street to the menage where we have our lesson.

Weather was a bit rubbish but she tacked up fine, when I got on she started walking off which she never usually does but not really a problem. We have to ride through two gates so went out of the paddock through one, fine, got to the second gate and she wouldn't go. She's done this before - she stops and turns. Usually I turn her back and use more leg and lay the stick over her shoulder and she'll go through fine then that's the end of it... not today!

Turned her to go back through and she put in a huge rear and I toppled back/off the side. I've always said about her issues "well, at least she's not a rearer!". It wasn't nasty, if that makes sense, and I guess when she hadn't been ridden for a few weeks then some naughtiness is to be expected. I was absolutely fine (wearing hat and BP) and ended up leading her up the street and had a great lesson. Hacked home absolutely fine. I hope that's the end of it!

Sorry, bit of a pointless post but really just needed to vent. It seems that when we get one thing sorted with her, she starts doing something new!

 

[skint1]

hmmm you know what I think might be her problem? Her name begins with a B, and if you have a mare whose name begins with a B they are automatically given a copy of "The Handbook For Naughty Hosses" which contains an extra annex just for Mares Whose Name Begins with a B

Seriously though, I am glad you're ok. Rearing can be scary.
(I have a mare called Bella who occassionally rears)

 

[Tickles]

Walking off when mounting can be a sign of discomfort, either real or remembered. Rearing is often pain or fear. If you thought she was looking a little off and she it might be an idea to have her checked out by a vet - better safe than sorry when it comes to her comfort and your safety.

Glad you're OK!

 

[Shysmum]

glad you are ok - make sure you have someone with you next time you attempt the gate tho. I dunno, that book must be a bestseller by now Are you sure there is no pain, sounds like there could be ? sm x

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks everyone.

Well, when she was a little off, she did look it and didn't want to pick up her feet. Today she was absolutely fine with all that, showed no signs of pain at all around her legs or back when tacking up. She has often shied at the saddle (pulling back is her thing!) but today she was as good as gold, didn't appear to mind the saddle going on at all. When I got on again afterwards in the school, she was totally not bothered and behaved wonderfully. Instructor said she looked a little stiff (which is a bit common around here at the moment as the ground is like rock) but she loosened up along the lesson and seemed very relaxed and happy.

Stopping at that gate has happened several times before so I'm 99% sure it was just naughtiness, her friend was calling her and she doesn't like to leave. There was someone else there with me, I never get on Belle or ride her without somebody to walk along with me. She just was absolutely not having it today.

I would have considered putting it down to pain but looking back at her behaviour over time, I really feel (and instructor and horsie friends agree) she was just trying it on. She has leapt about a bit before so seemed to just try a full on rear today.

Of course if it continues then I would definitely consider having the vet to check her, I wouldn't want to be hurting her. Thanks a lot for your comments.

 

[Daisy11]

glad your not hurt ,but again there are indercations of a possible back problem
(1) wont stand still to mount
(2) rearing
(3) wont pick her feet up can also be a sign ,
when was the last time you had her back checked ??
does she have any of these signs
■Uneasy/abnormal posture while standing
■Uneven muscle tone
■Discomfort when grooming the back
■Sore areas along the back and spine, being cold backed
■Unusual sensitivity to touch, hollowing the back and evading contact
■Reluctance or discomfort while being saddled or mounted
■Unlevelness or unevenness of steps
■Tail carried to one side
■Stiffness on one rein or a disunited canter
■Reluctance to jump or other unexplained deterioration in performance
■Uncharacteristic behaviour patterns or changes of temperament
■Lameness after a fall when alternative causes have been ruled out by a vet

 

[skint1]

glad your not hurt ,but again there are indercations of a possible back problem
(1) wont stand still to mount
(2) rearing
(3) wont pick her feet up can also be a sign ,
when was the last time you had her back checked ??
does she have any of these signs
■Uneasy/abnormal posture while standing
■Uneven muscle tone
■Reluctance or discomfort while being saddled or mounted
■Unlevelness or unevenness of steps
■Tail carried to one side
■Stiffness on one rein or a disunited canter
■Reluctance to jump or other unexplained deterioration in performance
■Uncharacteristic behaviour patterns or changes of temperament
■Lameness after a fall when alternative causes have been ruled out by a vet

Our mare exhibited many of these signs but we misconstrued them.

She started rearing in Apr 2009, but then stopped about a month later after we gave her lifestyle a complete overhaul and so we thought ah- that was it, she was spoiled and not in enough work so all would be well from here on in (not saying your mare is like that but ours was)

But then this spring she started again. We thought initially it was hormonal, but after a month on Regumate making very little difference under saddle, we had a semi professional rider friend get on her and she immediately picked up what she described as a "blockage" through her back end. We got her checked by a chiro, turned out she had a rotated/dropped pelvis, she had a course of chiro treatment, followed by some Bowen therapy and touch wood at the moment is not rearing.