Going backwards - and up

[TogGoBoge]

Has anyone got any ideas? I recently acquired an ex-race horse after he'd reared and gone over backwards with his previous owner putting her hosipital and leaving her mega nervous about riding him. Having ridden him a couple of times and loved him I ended up taking him on but he does have a bit of a problem I can't get him over: 95% of the time he's a darling but if something really upsets him his 'instinct' seems not to be to take flight but to go backwards. I've tried the obvious things like trying to circle him but once he's gone he's gone and it's like the only way is up. If anyone's had (and gotten over) similar experiences I'd be really grateful to hear how.

 

[Sol]

Can't say I've had any similar experiences but just thought that maybe blinkers would help? After watching a Monty Roberts demo where he used them on a horse that reared, and taped off the top part of the blinkers (using the ones on a hood like for racehorses) so the horse couldn't see upwards. The theory being that the horse doesn't want to go where it can't see. It worked! Also seen it done a few other times and it does seem to work. So maybe if you can work it so that he can't see behind him, he will be less likely to go backwards?

Don't know if it'd work, but it's an idea

 

[Ladybird]

A friend at my yard had this problem with her ex-racer a few months ago.

He was new to her and we don't have much history so don't know if he'd ever done if so drastically but as far as we know he'd have a dig in and then run backwards, even if there was something behind him.

She seems to have got him out of the habit by long reining him mainly, as she can push him forwards without risking injury to herself, he's now going out in company and on his own nicely, his dig ins just need to be caught early and he needs nudging forwards before he gets it into his mind properly.

 

[teddyt]

A horse usually rears or turns and legs it because it has been forced and hasnt been able to understand the scary object/situation in its own time. I have found the best way to deal with it is to sit still as soon as the horse stops/seems scared. Then allow the horse to look at the object or just allow the horse to stand and think. Dont get to the point where the horse runs because it has paniced. Sometimes this means sitting and waiting for ten minutes, half an hour, whatever. Then gradually go for one step forward at a time. I personally wouldnt turn circles, because then the horse can spin.

Just sit quietly and take the pressure off the horse so it doesnt feel it has to leg it.