Rearing 2 yr old? WWYD?

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Orson Cart

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Hi chaps

I am at a lovely private yard where there is only myself and one other lady.

This lady bought a 2 yr old filly (10h Sec A x Shettie) 3 weeks ago and is having a few problems with it, so I have come on here to ask for any advice I can pass on to her (she is totally fine with me posting on here about it)

This lil 2 yr old rears a lot. And I mean a lot! We have had to put extra meshing up at the stable door as she keeps rearing in her stable and every time her owner tries to take her to the manege for a bit of light in hand walking she rears up constantly - both on the way to the school and in the school, even when just taking her to the field to be turned out. In fact, the minute you ask her to do something she doesn't like, she will rear. Even the vet couldn't get a grip on her to take bloods - they had to give up in the end as the rearing made her too dangerous.

The owner is also 9 mths pregnant, so her ability to control the horse is lessened slightly as she has to protect her bump at all times.

I have suggested that she just leaves the filly until she has had her baby and recovered sufficiently so start on ground work regularly but the owner wants to start correcting this behaviour immediately. I have never had an unbroken horse myself, so am unable to offer anything in the way of helpful advice.

How would you chaps deal with stopping the horse from rearing when in hand or in the stable??
 
have heard good things about the dually headcollar, but to be honest, this is so serious, I think you need professional help asap to nip it in the bud.

I have resorted to chifney bit in the past, but I don't recommend it as they can cause a lot of damage.

Will be interested to see what peeps say :)
 
I agree with above poster. Seek some help from maybe a NH person who is skilled in groundwork. A rope or dually headcollar would be good so the pressure release system can be used, but as timing is so critical so I would really suggest paying for some help.
 
Personally, I'd handle this little pony daily - even if it's only for 10 mins at a time (and it doesn't really need to be doing any work in a menage - just walking to and from the field is enough).

Consistent, but firm handling should sort the problem out quickly enough. I'd also use one of those little rope controller headcollars on it (not a dually or the like).

I would also look at having it out 24/7 during the summer.
 
When my boy was 2/3 he started rearing in-hand when he didn't want to do as he was told (although nothing to this extent!) I bought a be nice halter for him, as it has the little metal bits on the poll, and when he reared up I applied downward pressure- he soon got the idea that rearing was uncomfortable and didn't get him anywhere and he just stopped. I must admit though, this pony sound much worse and I would agree with above advice of talking to a professional.
 
definitely a dually halter and lead the filly only with a long line (lunge line will do) so you/owner can be at a safe distance if she lashes out. I have a 16'3 / 17hh 2 year old and he is in a dually, he has never reared / pulled viciously in it :)
 
PomPomFeathers said:
definitely a dually halter and lead the filly only with a long line (lunge line will do) so you/owner can be at a safe distance if she lashes out.
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The owner does take her out on a long line - although I will pass on the ideas about halters ...

I personally don't intend on doing anything with it! I always have a human 3 yr old up the yard with me, which is more than enough of a handful for me to cope with ! tee hee!
 
PomPomFeathers said:
definitely a dually halter and lead the filly only with a long line (lunge line will do) so you/owner can be at a safe distance if she lashes out. I have a 16'3 / 17hh 2 year old and he is in a dually, he has never reared / pulled viciously in it :)
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Please don't lead out in a long or lunge line.

Close is safe.
 
I have to disagree about the long line. It is far safer IME to use a long line on a horse that is difficult to handle on the ground. It allows you to get out of their way if they rear up and box and still keep hold of them. With horses such as this, I switch to a parelli type rope halter and a long line.
 
Sorry amymay I appear to be just following you around agreeing with your posts today, its not deliberate, honest. At 10hh I think a rope halter should be more than sufficient to control it in hand. And what is the trigger for it rearing in its stable? Eg is it in a lot, when others turned out before it etc?
 
So if I read this right there is a 10hh little brat that throws a tantrum and tries to intimidate when ever it doesn't get its own way?
Frankly i would make dam sure it realised how unpleasant the reaction will be if / when it does that.
 
I agree with AM & prefer to stay close to them, although with owner being 9 months pregnant i do question the wisdom of doing anything at all with it at the moment.

2 yr olds can go through a bolshy, teenage, tantrum stage & is usually best nipped in the bud by someone experienced in dealing with youngsters.

Either pay for some professional help or turn the filly out full time, preferably in a large mixed group & let the older horses teach her some manners :-) You might find that once she's settled down & is more relaxed over the summer things improve naturally.

Definitely wouldn't be doing anything that might put the bump at risk.
 
Ah, didn't realise the pony was only 10 hh! Shorter rope would be fine. I think she needs a short sharp lesson. I would use a rope halter and give a really sharp tug the second she starts to go up.
 
littlelegs said:
Sorry amymay I appear to be just following you around agreeing with your posts today, its not deliberate, honest. At 10hh I think a rope halter should be more than sufficient to control it in hand. And what is the trigger for it rearing in its stable? Eg is it in a lot, when others turned out before it etc?
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As far as the owner is aware, it has never been stabled before. She is insisting on stabling it so that it gets used to it - I would've turned it out 24/7 myself. they are in the stable at the moment coz they've been wormed.
When it is in the stable it always has at least one other horse with it - the owner also owns a 16h semi retired dressage horse. The stable walls are tall and I think it's rearing because it can't see out and is curious about what is going on. She has been combating the rearing by clouting it one with a riding crop thru the bars each time it does it whilst she is there. Not sure that is how I would do it - but then it's not my horse and I would never dream of taking on a 2 yr old!
But in the main, she works her two horses to the same routine. So they are always together. When turning out, the 2 yr old goes out first and then the oldie goes out afterwards.
The 2 yr old is a very affectionate, curious horse when not rearing!

I also agree that, if pregnant, I would be leaving it until post birth. She's only got another 2 weeks to go until her due date and I can see - despite her protestations that the baby won't interfere with her horsey time - that things will be increasingly difficult for her in the first few weeks post baby arrival. She isn't amazingly careful about the bump - this week she's had her non horsey OH (very tall and strong) trying to pin the pony down by laying across it's back whilst she dodged the flying hooves to worm it!
 
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She has been combating the rearing by clouting it one with a riding crop thru the bars each time it does it whilst she is there.
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Excellent horsemanship there then........................

Words fail.
 
You can keep them close with a long line just the same as a short one - but it allows you to get out of the way without lettinng go, which is a lesson the pony does not want to learn!

If she really does not want to give it 24 hour turnout and leave it to be taught by its elders in the field for the next few months I would def. be getting an IH/NH trainer out to give her the tools to deal with it.
 
My sect A yearling has a tantrum behind her door when others go out, just make sure the door is high enough for her not to get her feet over and shout at her for doing it.
If its a brat to lead a rope or B nice halter esp good for rearers should be used. At that height they can set their necks against you. Lots of handling, tying up, grooming etc to get them used to behaving. At 9 months pregnant she might be better letting the pony live out, be a pony and pick it up again when she is able.
Been through both and I know handling a youngster when heavily pregnant isn't ideal.
 
EmsHooper said:
As far as the owner is aware, it has never been stabled before. She is insisting on stabling it so that it gets used to it - I would've turned it out 24/7 myself. they are in the stable at the moment coz they've been wormed.
When it is in the stable it always has at least one other horse with it - the owner also owns a 16h semi retired dressage horse. The stable walls are tall and I think it's rearing because it can't see out and is curious about what is going on. She has been combating the rearing by clouting it one with a riding crop thru the bars each time it does it whilst she is there. Not sure that is how I would do it - but then it's not my horse and I would never dream of taking on a 2 yr old!
But in the main, she works her two horses to the same routine. So they are always together. When turning out, the 2 yr old goes out first and then the oldie goes in afterwards.
The 2 yr old is a very affectionate, curious horse when not rearing!

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Gosh what's the matter with the owner - honestly!! If she wants to have a pony that gets aggressive and hates people tell her to carry on as she is! Why take on a youngster if you are so clueless. It really makes me cross. I have a 7 yr old 17hh WB screwed up because he was abused because people were scared of him so they beat him.
My 10hh falabella x constantly stands on the cross members on the back of stable doors - he is desperate to get a good view of goings on. Why doesn't she cut down the stable door to an appropriate size or just start feeding only in the stable. Where has all commonsense gone to????
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YasandCrystal said:
Gosh what's the matter with the owner - honestly!! If she wants to have a pony that gets aggressive and hates people tell her to carry on as she is! Why take on a youngster if you are so clueless. It really makes me cross. I have a 7 yr old 17hh WB screwed up because he was abused because people were scared of him so they beat him.
My 10hh falabella x constantly stands on the cross members on the back of stable doors - he is desperate to get a good view of goings on. Why doesn't she cut down the stable door to an appropriate size or just start feeding only in the stable. Where has all commonsense gone to????
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I had been wondering myself if this was going to create a nightmare horsey - I'm more IH/NH myself but I think this lady sees that all as a waste of time! :roll eyes:


Unfortunately the stables are big Monarch sliding door type stables (technical aint I!) and I doubt the YO would like the doors to be cut down! The V space at the top of the door has now had mesh put across it by the YO to stop the pony from battering her legs. I do wince when she bellows BEHAVE in its face and gives it a wallop - she hit it's bum with the fork thing from the skipping out doodah (again, more technical jargon from me!) the other day which I thought was way over the top.

Her and I are like chalk and cheese in our horsemanship, but other than try to make helpful, calm suggestions there isn't much I can personally do as it's not my horse
 
EmsHooper said:
I had been wondering myself if this was going to create a nightmare horsey - I'm more IH/NH myself but I think this lady sees that all as a waste of time! :roll eyes:


Unfortunately the stables are big Monarch sliding door type stables (technical aint I!) and I doubt the YO would like the doors to be cut down! The V space at the top of the door has now had mesh put across it by the YO to stop the pony from battering her legs. I do wince when she bellows BEHAVE in its face and gives it a wallop - she hit it's bum with the fork thing from the skipping out doodah (again, more technical jargon from me!) the other day which I thought was way over the top.

Her and I are like chalk and cheese in our horsemanship, but other than try to make helpful, calm suggestions there isn't much I can personally do as it's not my horse
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Yes I realise it's not yours. Poor youngster - I feel for it :(
 
Poor little pony.

Make sure it can see out so it doesn't NEED to rear to see. I'd jump up too if I couldn't see! Get a chain or a door mesh for it.

It 10hh for godsake. When it rears it'll just about come up to your shoulder. :rolleyes: Step to the side, yank it down, tell it NO then carry on as before.

As for hitting it through the bars for rearing to see out............ :eek: :mad:

OP: you sounds like you have far more horse sense than the owner: could you not take it on for a while? (on the pretense that the owners just had/having a baby so will obviously lack time......) and help it before the poor little things ruined beyond saving. Having an unbroken horse is neither here nor there: it's a handling issue any broken horse could have too.
 
Owner sounds like a muppet imo.
Try & persuade her to cut the door down to height, even if while its still rearing it needs a grill on to look out from. I would be building up from a few minutes in the stable so it doesn't have a need to get stressed about it. And appreciate its hard but try & persuade her whacking it will make it worse. Sounds like she's the one who has started the physical battles with it, if she won't listen to you get her to call in professional help in the hope she'll listen to them.
 
Kallibear said:
OP: you sounds like you have far more horse sense than the owner: could you not take it on for a while? (on the pretense that the owners just had/having a baby so will obviously lack time......) and help it before the poor little things ruined beyond saving. Having an unbroken horse is neither here nor there: it's a handling issue any broken horse could have too.
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To be honest, I don't think I have the skills to take on this horse and that is exactly the reason why I would not buy a youngster. Our horse is a beautifully behaved mini shetland who is blossoming with us. I have my 3 yr old daughter with me when I go up the yard - no option on that from my end - so I can't see myself dealing with the pony and my daughter. Safety of my daughter comes first and whilst I would love to just make the pony feel secure and spend time building it's confidence with ground work I just can't do that with my daughter in tow. Personally I think she has taken on too much with too little knowledge/horse sense but the owner is convinced that it's bolshiness that needs to be eradicated. I think it's a right brain horse that requires understanding and confidence building but as the owner doesn't believe in any of that stuff I don't seem to have got anywhere in trying to get her to understand that.

The owner has owned/competed horses all her life and seems to be very old school in her attitudes - whilst I am new to this horse ownership malarchy and whilst I have studied lots of different theories about IH/NH Im no expert and I think she thinks I'm a bit of a novice, so I doubt she would be happy about passing horse over for a short while anyway. She wants this pony as her project so that she can break it in her for her baby :eek:
 
Do you know why she bought it? Sounds as though it would have been better off wherever it was before.

I believe that youngsters are best left to be just that. I do very little with mine, once basic leading, picking up feet & touching all over have been established. I do bring in & out quite a lot as we have very wet land so they come in at night for wettest parts of year.

My two NF's have just turned three & have now been separated & are each out with an older mare who shows them who's the boss & puts them in their place.

It must be very hard for you to witness this. Try & encourage owner to just turn the little filly away, if only for a couple of months, otherwise i fear that it will end in tears & a 'problem' pony that someone else has to sort out further down the line.

Good luck.
 
Hazy Xmas: She bought it because her other horse cannot be in a field on it's own and I made it clear that my horse was there to be enjoyed by my daughter and not used as a field companion. So she decided to get a companion of her own. A companion turned into a 'project' as she felt she needed something to do whilst her baby was sat in the pram ... she wants her child to use this pony as first lead rein/first ridden pony but at the moment that seems miles off. I feel for both the owner and the pony. The owner is trying to do her best, but with limited knowledge. The pony has only been with us for 3 weeks, so is understandably a bit shocked and wary still!
 
I understand the YO would not want the door cutting down, and I also think the fact that the pony cannot see out creates a lot of problems, if not all of them - it must be very frustrating for the pony not to see out.

As the pony is small, and I woudl guess is still in a 12x12 stable can the owner build (or get someone to build as she is pregnant) an internal smaller door for the pony, then the big door can be pinned back at all times and you can just use the internal swinging door for access. We installed one of these when we had our donkey, and it is in my horses stable, it folds back on the inside of the stable and is pinned back when not in use. I actually use it for mine if I am there as he like to lean over etc, door must only be about 2'6 high :)

Re the swinging inwards, we have never had a problem with this, and I woudl think if the stable is standard sized the pony would be easily manoruverable in and out. :)
 
In my uneducated view, there is far too much being made of this pony.

WelshxShetland is hardly going to be a dope on a rope, it's a baby, a tad stroppy, only 10hh and not a colt. All that is needed is a rope halter, and to be health and safety minded, gloves and a hat.

All it needs to know is pressure and release. If it rears just keep walking, it will soon go forwards. It sounds like it is already well on the way to being useless. Turn it out. All it needs to do at that age is be catchable, leadable and be reasonable for a foot trim.

The more response it gets to poor behaviour the more it is likely to produce. As for beating it through the bars, words fail me.

Sadly, the pony who is merely a confused baby will soon become an aggressive dangerous young pony fit for nothing but a short life of misery.
 
Oh dear all round. Firstly the owner buys a youngster when in the later stages of pregnancy, secondly keeps it stabled when it's not used to it, thirdly the poor thing can't see out of the stable, fourthly if it tries to see out it gets a wallop for its troubles, I could go on...
 
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