How to stop a youngster rearing?

[misst]

I think to be honest the best thing you can do is ask someone locally for help who is experienced. There is no shame in admitting you have bitten off a bit more than you can chew and a lot of these problems are common and easily solved by someone who really knows what they are doing.

We have our first youngster and have regular help with him to ensure we introduce things kindly and correctly. There are lots of people on here who could recommend someone in your area and it need not cost a fortune.

Some professional help now will be a great investment for your future together. In the meantime hat, gloves and back protector whenever you handle him.

 

[KS1]

well there is always the old fashioned techniques such as cracking an egg on his poll as he goes to rear, the yoke feels like blood and they think they've hit the 'roof' of the sky, i have heard of this being done with success..

instead of having a lunge whip round his nose i would invest in a dually headcollar which will apply pressure more evenly and only when needed, we had a mare who was a night mare to handle and used properly the dually turned her into a mannerly angel!.. good luck

Immmy x

This is a barbaric suggestions, cracking an egg is myth as to working, remember we are also talking of a youngster and using methods as this will traumatise a young horse. Also being inhand it would be dangerous to the handler.

Instead I would use the method of engaging the mind and moving the feet, give the horse something different to think about.
You usually get a signal that the horse is going to do something so if I thought the horse was gonna rear I'd gently turn a circle, ask for back up, sideways anything to get his focus on me.

I'd also be looking into the reasoning behind the behaviour, what triggers it, etc.

 

[the watcher]

He's just at 'terrible twos' stage of his life, providing you handle him confidently and correctly, he will grow out of it, honest They like showing us the underside of their tootsies at that age, him and probably every other youngster in creation
Just have a longish rope, stay out of hoof range and keep him moving, don't lose your temper and you will be just fine.

this!

If a second person is available then attach 2 long lines and lead one from each side, it keeps them focused and moving forward and doesn't need doing very often before they get the idea

 

[vieshot]

I remember reading once that a predator will attack a horse in its belly area so an old trick they used to use when horsey went up was to crack them one in the tummy, supposedly discourages them from exposing that area so readily to you again. Not that ive ever tried it or seen it used so wouldnt want to advise.

 

[yasminA]

No, no, no! Don't try to smash an egg on your youngster's head or use a dually unless you are shown how to use one properly.


Your youngster wont rear if you can keep them moving forwards. So put a long leadrope (Shires do good extra long ones) on your horse's headcollar, wear gloves and carry a schooling whip. If the youngster *thinks* about rearing - send them in a circle around you (mini lunging style) and say 'walk on' firmly. Once they have circled you, go back to leading them towards the field/stable block as if nothing had happened.

You may need to do twenty circles to begin with, but they will soon learn that it gets pretty boring going round and round, so you should soon only need to say 'walk on' to keep them going forwards.


ETA. The lunge whip around the nose is one of the oddest ideas that I've ever heard!

This is exactly what i ddi with my mare, she soon got pretty bored of circles & stopped doing it.

 

[Kallibear]

At his age i'd pretty much ignore it. Very firm NO! when he goes up then continue as normal, so he doesn't learn rearing is something 'special'. Same as you would when they wave their feet about when learning to pick them up. Making a song and dance about it just makes it into an 'issue' Use the advice already given to keep him moving to try and stop him doing it in the first place.

Mine 2yr old (entirely unhandled 2months ago) tried it recently. It got no reaction other that a firm NO so he's not bothered trying it again.

 

[scribble]

I actually gave my mare some very light work when she went through her terrible twos stage, bridle, leading etc, long reining, gives them something to think about mentally. Also a lead rope with a chain in it and wrap it over thier nose helps as they go up. circles and a smack and if all else fails then lead them in a chiffney and headcollar and two leadropes. the headcollar lead rope works as normal and if they rear then the chiffney cuts in but if they are fine then they have no affect from the chiffney. I know people moan about them but yuo need to be safe with a large warmblood rearing in your face.