Ex racehorse- dangerous rearing/ striking out in hand

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stubblet

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Hi there
I've had my 5 y/o tb mare for just over a year- she came straight from a racing yard, had about 3 months turnout, and then gradually began groundwork then ridden training.
She is the sweetest natured horse, but it soon became clear that when she didnt want to do something, eg coming in from the field, walking on, lunging on her bad rein- her get out was to rear. Not just a straight rear, but striking out as well.
This started off last winter, I went with a chain over the nose while leading to/ from the field which did help with general high spirits, but when she wants to rear it seems like nothing will stop her. She was a lot better during the summer when living out, although she would still do this occasionally on the lunge.
To make things worse, about 6 weeks ago she was diagnosed with a torn hind suspensory branch, so no turnout. Considering this, she hasn’t been as bad as I’d expected, although when I had to start walking her out, the rearing & striking came back in play. I have resorted to walking her in a chifney, but she still rears/ strikes and has started spinning round and kicking out as well.
I try and stand my ground as much as possible but she literally comes towards me, striking so there is no option but to get out of the way, therefore losing contact.
The worse thing is these outbursts are so unpredictable- she can go for days without putting a foot wrong, then when you are least expecting it, go into one. Luckily i have been wearing a hat at all times, and have managed to get out of the way, but i am genuinely worried that sooner or later i'm going to get injured or worse..

I know this behaviour is exacerbated by being on box rest, but I just have a horrible feeling that this is always going to be underlying in the future, and could happen any time she doesn’t want to be restrained

I have tried so many methods, had trainers help- but the fact is she is so defiant, when her mind is made up, she just wants me off the end of the rope at any cost.

Under saddle- it is a different story, has never reared or bucked once…

I really don’t know what to do… I have invested so much time & money in her and 95% of the time she is an affectionate, willing horse- but I don’t want to have to live with this risk every time I lead her out

I’ve thought about putting her out to grass, but I’m not sure how well she would fare living out through the winter- and I wouldn’t sell her on as she would just endanger the next person…

There is another option, but I just don’t know if I could bring myself to do it, even though it may be for the best for both of us :(

This is really upsetting me as I love the horse to bits, but in reality I can’t keep a horse that has that type of dangerous trait

If anyone has any advice/ experience relating to this I would really appreciate it.
 
We used to use chifneys at the stud I worked at on all the large stallions. Are you experienced at using a chifney? They need to be used be experienced hands and a tug at exactly the right moment :) I am not being patronising but, maybe someone a bit bigger/stronger/more experienced?

I can imagine it being very frustrating.. does it make any difference if a calmer horse is brought on trips to and from the field?
 
stubblet said:
Hi there
I've had my 5 y/o tb mare for just over a year- she came straight from a racing yard, had about 3 months turnout, and then gradually began groundwork then ridden training.
She is the sweetest natured horse, but it soon became clear that when she didnt want to do something, eg coming in from the field, walking on, lunging on her bad rein- her get out was to rear. Not just a straight rear, but striking out as well.
This started off last winter, I went with a chain over the nose while leading to/ from the field which did help with general high spirits, but when she wants to rear it seems like nothing will stop her. She was a lot better during the summer when living out, although she would still do this occasionally on the lunge.
To make things worse, about 6 weeks ago she was diagnosed with a torn hind suspensory branch, so no turnout. Considering this, she hasn’t been as bad as I’d expected, although when I had to start walking her out, the rearing & striking came back in play. I have resorted to walking her in a chifney, but she still rears/ strikes and has started spinning round and kicking out as well.
I try and stand my ground as much as possible but she literally comes towards me, striking so there is no option but to get out of the way, therefore losing contact.
The worse thing is these outbursts are so unpredictable- she can go for days without putting a foot wrong, then when you are least expecting it, go into one. Luckily i have been wearing a hat at all times, and have managed to get out of the way, but i am genuinely worried that sooner or later i'm going to get injured or worse..

I know this behaviour is exacerbated by being on box rest, but I just have a horrible feeling that this is always going to be underlying in the future, and could happen any time she doesn’t want to be restrained

I have tried so many methods, had trainers help- but the fact is she is so defiant, when her mind is made up, she just wants me off the end of the rope at any cost.

Under saddle- it is a different story, has never reared or bucked once…

I really don’t know what to do… I have invested so much time & money in her and 95% of the time she is an affectionate, willing horse- but I don’t want to have to live with this risk every time I lead her out

I’ve thought about putting her out to grass, but I’m not sure how well she would fare living out through the winter- and I wouldn’t sell her on as she would just endanger the next person…

There is another option, but I just don’t know if I could bring myself to do it, even though it may be for the best for both of us :(

This is really upsetting me as I love the horse to bits, but in reality I can’t keep a horse that has that type of dangerous trait

If anyone has any advice/ experience relating to this I would really appreciate it.
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Wow. What a handful she is. No wonder you are worried. Is it possible to turn her out in a really small area? Part of the arena for example? Or, if she is so good ridden, I don't see the harm in just getting on her and walking her. The amount of strain she will be putting on her injury by leaping about would be far worse than you riding her, surely?
 
I have to be honest, i'm not experienced in using a chifney- it was recommended to me, as being an ex-racehorse, she should have some respect for it, but clearly not..

When she goes up i have tried to tug as she is going up, not on the way down, or on the ground. However this is easier said than done due to me trying to get out of the way of her thrashing hooves...

She isn't being turned out at the moment due to the ligament injury- so it is just when i am hand walking her....and no-one else on the yard will handle her due to what they've seen her do.
 
My advice is get some professional help asap. My tb was not a racer but sounds similar. She used to strike out, plant etc. Clear and consistent handling was the key. I had to learn to be very consistent and she taught me well. I had help from a person off this list so recommend whoever is your nearest person. http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/specialist-horse-training.html

Make sure you keep to her side when leading, have a long line, wear gloves and hat. Don't get into battles, plan everything carefully. I never used a chiffney and hesitate to suggest anything because they are not a training aid but purely for control.

More recently I have also become more aware of the effects of diet on my mare's behaviour and looking back am pretty sure this may have been a factor in the past. Something else to look into perhaps.
 
Have you tried having a rope that comes behind her? Only because in order to go up, she has to back-up a bit first. The rope round her back end could keep her going forwards. Also, don't pull her straight down- pull her to the side, she can brace against you if you pull straight, but will be forced to release her head, then neck if you can bring her over to the side.

Obviously always wear a hat and gloves, and if possible ALWAYS LOOK AHEAD! It sounds like she is dominating you and if you look look at her she will respond. set goals... she will walk to this hedge, then she will get to that bucket- you focus on that and ignore her and it will have less effect on you, and she should stop trying to intimidate you!

Also if you can lunge her in a pessoa (the JW training aid is the same thing and 1/3 price!) that will keep her back legs under her, and that should stop the rearing on the lunge!
 
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Get some professional help quickly. In the meantime either ask your vet if you can just leave her in a tiny turnout area or maybe try sedation? When our old lad needed walking in hand and was unmanageable after box rest we sent him to a professional yard for 6 weeks with a horse walker to walk him on. It was very sucessful and the staff at the yard were brilliant with him.

Please be very very careful as it sounds very dangerous for you - and her.
There are lots of good professional people who could help you with this I am sure. Good luck.
 
Thanks Wagtail- i tried the small turnout option, but she broke through the electric fence :-(

Vet is coming to re-scan on sat, if it's healing as it should be i am meant to start riding, so that would be the best option.
 
My young WB was extremely similar - his behaviour on the ground got progressively worse - strangely his ridden behaviour was the last to deteriorate (ended with over ear bucking!).

My boy's behaviour was pain related - he was always nasty - always lookimg to bite, strike or kick you and he really really meant it. He is not so now (has been treated for chronic SI dysfunction and diet changed) although he will pull faces sometimes. He too improved in May - just when he had plenty of grass - so I believe he has an underlying sensitive gut too.

If your horse has a diagnosed problem - do you know if that is a painful one?? Could you try a pain trial and see if he improves?

And nearly forgot when he was at his worst we put him on RelaxMe - First Horse - a fabulous calmer. :) Good luck keep us posted and stay safe
 
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amandap said:
More recently I have also become more aware of the effects of diet on my mare's behaviour and looking back am pretty sure this may have been a factor in the past. Something else to look into perhaps.
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^^This
The diet could be a huge factor. I put my WB on sugar and cereal intolerant feed (A&P), micronized linseed and carob (locust bean) and only hay - NO haylage. My holistic vet swears by a chaff and micronized linseed and hay diet. You just up the linseed if you need more calories.

And how about investing in a Be Nice headcollar - they really work - I am a fan of the pressure and release system. They can be severe, but at least you can't break a jaw as with a chiffney.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies- some really helpful advice, and i will look at getting some professional help

The frustrating thing is, she has the loveliest temperament, and the majority of the time is an absolute pleasure to own and be around.

She just seems to get these moments where she HAS to get away from me- like she is not actually being viscous but it is her way of escaping the restraint of the rope/ lunge...
 
Trouble4125 said:
Have you tried having a rope that comes behind her? Only because in order to go up, she has to back-up a bit first. The rope round her back end could keep her going forwards. Also, don't pull her straight down- pull her to the side, she can brace against you if you pull straight, but will be forced to release her head, then neck if you can bring her over to the side.

Obviously always wear a hat and gloves, and if possible ALWAYS LOOK AHEAD! It sounds like she is dominating you and if you look look at her she will respond. set goals... she will walk to this hedge, then she will get to that bucket- you focus on that and ignore her and it will have less effect on you, and she should stop trying to intimidate you!

Also if you can lunge her in a pessoa (the JW training aid is the same thing and 1/3 price!) that will keep her back legs under her, and that should stop the rearing on the lunge!
Click to expand...

Agree with this. With a horse who rears, you must keep the feet moving and the brain focused. Keeping yourself focused on a 'task' as it were also helps, as when you think about the reaction she will give you are subconsciously hesitating, which she will pick up on and some horses can see as weakness.

I don't usually agree on giving up on a horse, but there are only so many more methods and management strategies you can try. Never be too proud to say you've tried your best but couldn't find a solution to the issue. You've done more than most would have already :)
 
I feel your pain I have one the same My other horse tb exracer came to me as a rearer but it was pain related had some damage in the poll area back was so sore took six month to get him right. now he wouldnt dream of lifting his front legs to rear even when really scared When he did rear i used to tap his belly with a rope soon made him come down but he was an easy rearer never at me always at the side. Took about a year but he is amazing horse now.
 
Tell the vet she is dangerous to walk out from box rest - he will either say turn her out or give you some ACP or equivalent just to take the edge off.

Once she has no reason to be overly bright, then you can start working on the problem. at the moment she is obviously feeling she does not want to be on box rest and is having a go at the slightest thing.
 
My TB did that when I first starting walking him out after a long spell of box rest, he would rear, box with his front legs and buck and lash out behind.

At the time I had no qualms about sedating him for his daily walks (about 5 ACP), I also found keeping his neck flexed and slightly bent helped and as said keeping him focused and moving. No dawdling, I really made him march forward and channel the energy and frustration he was feeling into that.

Now this is all in the past and he is the easiest horse in the world to handle.
 
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