Horse tears when scared! What do I do?

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Equine_Riderxox

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Hi, I have a horse who was really badly beaten when he was younger. As a result he is now terrified of everything. Even to put the bridle on we have to take it apart as his ears were severely damaged and he won't let anybody go near them. When I ride the arena is next to the road and he is terrified of traffic and people walking past. He occasionally goes up to rear and I can rule out pain, teeth and back trouble as I have had him checked. I know it is a case of him being scared and I was wondering does anybody know what I could do so when he does go up to rear I can stop him before he can even get in the air. Thank you x
 
Normally the best way to stop a rear is to spin the horse the moment you feel that front end lightening. However in the case you have explained I would be looking to get a good remedial person such as Richard Maxwell or Michael Peace to work with your horse. It doesn't sound as though this is something that you have the experience to deal with on your own.
 
Stand him in hand near the traffic to feed him, so he gets used to it and it becomes a pleasant experience, being near traffic.
The start sitting on him, then walking along past the traffic, etc untill you have progresse to him passing with no problems.
Take it slowly and gently, and go back a step if you need to.
He will eventually learn there is nothing to fear.
And make sure you arent accientally telling him, by being tense yourself, that its frightening.
 
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personaly I'd send him to melanie Watson as she is fab at sorting these issues quickly, compassionately and permanently.

I had a lad who had been beaten so badly that they fractured his skull and pelvis. Getting a longrein anywhere near him or doing a girth up resulted in bolting, we couldnt break him to ride as we couldnt get a saddle on him but even arms moving to quickly resulted in bolting
Melanie fixed him, got him under saddle and in the show ring!
 
I have had smaller horses standing at 15.2 and 16.3 that I was able to cope with and the technique you mentioned about spinning the horse when I felt the front end lifting worked on her but it doesn't work on a large 18.1hh horse he just rears until he realises there is nothing to fear and then is calm again. I just was wondering what to do instead of the normal bog standard things.
 
Poor horse :( Don't think 'I need to stop the rear', think 'I need to stop the reason for the rear'. The reason is fear, so that is what ou need to work on. You can do this quietly yourself, through desensitization (and counterconditioning if you want to use food). It would be worth you learning about clicker training - have a look at Hannah Weston/Connection Training. Have a look at Ben Hart's shaping plans as well, but basically it is all about breaking the task down into small steps and ensuring the horse is calm at each step before progressing to the next one. Working with fearful horses takes time and patience but is very, very rewarding when you see the breakthoughs. Avoid force, and putting the horse in situations where you know he will have a big reaction. That may mean for a time riding in different areas, or at different times of day or, most possibly, not riding at all but working with your horse on the ground until he begins to rebuild his confidence.
 
Hi well done for sticking in there-what an awful life he had before you had him...i would rec jason webb for sure total expert in this area-look at his website--you spend alittle money on jason but he sorts it and properly too-with patience and calmness-really friendly aussie bloke-plse contact him and get his advice and training-good luck :)
 
Equine_Riderxox said:
I have had smaller horses standing at 15.2 and 16.3 that I was able to cope with and the technique you mentioned about spinning the horse when I felt the front end lifting worked on her but it doesn't work on a large 18.1hh horse he just rears until he realises there is nothing to fear and then is calm again. I just was wondering what to do instead of the normal bog standard things.
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So you have experience of rearers? Did both the 15.2 and 16.3 rear? If so, why?

Get professional help for all your sakes.

18.1 of horse rearing is dangerous to you, the horse, and others.
 
Yes, they both did rear as well Nicnac. They were also beaten. I rescue horses who were beaten in a horrible previous life. I have helped my other 2 over come their fears and now you would never know. I thought I could do the same but this horse has obviously had more past trauma.
 
There isn't anything wrong with getting professional advice if your struggling OP/something is outside your experience. Sometimes a different set of eyes can just make the world of difference.
 
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