New horsey..

[Skhosu]

has been threatening to rear a little. Not nappy on the roads at all, or in school, but when I took him down the railway track (a grassy embankment) he started getting a bit stroppy. Now I don't do rearers, but once I rode him on, he was ok, now, bearing in mind we've had him 6 days, the others were all a bit 'uppity' in their fields, should I be concerned?
I had a bungee on, which I think helped, but also any tips for riding them through when they start thinking about it?

 

[carthorse]

Circle ,but of course this is unsafe in traffic but any where else spin immediately

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Just do what you did and push him on through it, and a sharp smack with the whip as sooon as it happens (prefereably before they go up) to send them forwards
Spinning will just encourage the horse to, well, spin and then you have a whole other problem

 

[Clodagh]

Are you sure the bungee didn't upset him more? My rearing mare gets worse if she is restricted, I don't even ride her in a martingale any more.

 

[Skhosu]

ok, so differing opinions there.
Think not, probably (about the bungee?) as he was worn it several times now and it is loose, only came into action today when he threatened, and then he settled a bit?
I wasn't sure if smacking him would make him worse, he did get booted on, and I am very aware we haven't built up a relationship yet.
Wondered about spinning, but he is not very coordinated to sould see us in a heap!

 

[madhector]

thought the same thing, if i rode my last mare in any sort of training aid she would start bunny hopping, she did throw little tantrums quite reqularly and we could normally work through them (by gentle persuading other wise she would hop)

 

[Weezy]

Personally I wouldn't use a bungee out hacking, but I know plenty of people that do

Still early days, I wouldn't be overly worried, possibly a power play?

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

The thing is when you smack them for it, you have to make sure you do it on reflex, as soon as they go to do it before they've actually gone through with the action (preferably) as it will send them shooting forward before they can get to the rearing bit. This is the advice my trainer gave me and has worked well for me, thing is if you wait to think about 'should i smack or not' then you'll end up with the horse in control before you can take control (if that makes sense lol)

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Would also echo weezy, alot of the horses i ride for work try it on the first time or two i sit on them, they're trying to push the boundaries with their new rider sort of thing, a power play as weezy put it

 

[Skhosu]

Yes, ok, thanks K-r, and all others of course!
That's kind of my opinion Weezy, is it a 'lets see what you do' kind of thing as he finds his feet?
Bungee out hacking, well, tbh he works well in it (i.e. head below giraffe stage..) so for now he's being ridden in it a lot to get the correct muscles developing as he really hasn't a clue about lowering his head at all, and it is only on loose to give him an idea, why wouldn't you hack in it if you don't mind me asking? I am always open to other (wiser peoples!) suggestions.

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

hope you get it sorted

 

[Weezy]

Not wiser, just different ways of doing things! Reason I wouldn't hack in one is that I like to be able to work/take pressure off/work on a hack and if you have something like a bungee on then the horse cannot have the pressure taken off and mooch a little. If you are riding the horse EVERYTIME in a bungee, therein may be your problem. If you ride a horse using different muscles, it is going to be sore (think how you feel after the gym), therefore after a proper work sesh, the next day I do not work the horse, this rest allows the muscles to actually form (this comes from a VERY prominent trainer BTW). I either turn out OR I ride on a long rein and do not ask too many questions. This rearing could simply be that your horse's muscles are aching.

 

[Skhosu]

ok, some good thoughts there. The reason I use bungee over draw reins is that they can stretch out and down (although I appreciate not as much as when 'loose')
Yes, I think I may be giving him too much to think about/do/work through too soon so I shall take that on board with how much I use the bungee (only had him 6 days and worked him for 5 so guessing he is probably a bit shocked!Although did have a day off yesterday)
Will no tbe asking him that way for a few days as his 'schedule' has hacking and schooling and lungeing in it (plu sister riding) but will update when we have anything interesting to say!
Thanks for all the advice,

 

[filly190]

Firstly I would look at health issues, new horse, ridden every day, is his back sore? Is he being ridden in a different saddle?

It may be his way of telling you he is hurting and by taking him a little further on your hack may have just pushed his tolerance level.

My old mare that does not rear, has started on long hacks to tell me she has had enough. She will plant and threaten to rear and I know she is stiff and perhaps had too much work. She has no history of rearing and I have owned her years, I just know her so well and she is telling mum that she's had enough.

 

[magic104]

They can't rear if you keep them moving forwards, so if you are in walk you push into trot. If you are in trot & they start to back off your leg push into canter (so long as it is safe ie not on the road). Obviously this is only any good if the horse/pony is not in pain or discomfort from tack, teeth etc

 

[Skhosu]

k, thanks for that. I will consider that, we didn't have him vetted as he was cheap, and he doesn't appear (to me..) to have any back issues/teeth issues but next time the vet is out I will get them checked.