Myth or True?

[UnaB]

I've seen a few threads on here from people having trouble with their horses rearing and I was once told by a wonderful RI that if you have a horse prone to doing that, hit them on the top of the head mid-rear, preferably holding an egg or water filled balloon. Apparently the impact on the poll makes the horse think its hit its head and the liquid dripping makes them think they are bleeding It sounds a little mean, but apparently it is very, very effective. I havent really had a rearer thankfully, but one time at a show my boy got very excited and was spinning and rearing so during one rear i bopped him on the head - the behaviour stopped immediately and he calmed down right away. I didnt do it hard, just so he would feel it though.

Anyone else heard of this?

 

[kkjames]

My old horse used to stand vertically and not come down so one day I smacked him between the ears, he never ever went up at all again.
I have heard of the egg thing, but have never tried it, would also like to know if it is true or a myth!!

 

[only_me]

Yep, have tried the egg on on an ex-pony of mine, although the trick would appear to be able to carry the egg in your hand without breaking it first

Someone hitting the underside of the belly when they rear is much more effective

 

[stroppy]

Yep works a treat!!

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

My friend tried this in his horse. It worked in respect of he never reared again. However, he also refused to hack out alone or in front again... I would only ever use it as a last resort.

 

[MileAMinute]

Yep, have tried the egg on on an ex-pony of mine, although the trick would appear to be able to carry the egg in your hand without breaking it first

That's what I always wondered! I'd never be able to hold my old tank of a pony with an egg in one hand, and then remembering to smash it whilst they were up - clearly can't multitask!

I'd be wary of what kind of horse to do it with though. I couldn't help but feel if tried with my Section A, who is nervy, it'd result in backwards, headshy behaviour.

 

[JessandCharlie]

A friend of mine did it once and it worked. I also heard that smacking their belly when they go up works, but you'd have to be braver than me to do that!

J&C

 

[WoopsiiD]

I've seen it done too!!!
It took a whole box of eggs-free range-not because she kept rearing but myself and friend kept breaking them while passing them to each other/as the pony reared/by falling off and landing on them!

 

[MissTyc]

I tried the egg thing when I was about 14, on advice of my RI ... It worked ... ish. I fell off and egg went all over me and I never did it again! Pony continued rearing until he fell over. Then he stopped.