Rearing 5 year old ex race horse :/

She is not a troll

She is a teenager with a horse that she loves dearly

She is a teenager having problems with her horse

She has also apologised for being a brat several pages ago.

So for heavens sake people give the negative replies a miss!

All in all she is a teenager seeking constructive help from a horse community - be adults and be nice!
 
I am not being rude but could the reason the horses is rearing you? If he has been hacking and riding well for 6 months with his prev owners and he has come to you and started rearing you may not just get on. I'm not saying you're a bad ridder but some riders and horses just don't click. By the sounds of it this is going to be a difficult partnership for a long long time. Speaking from experience I would consider selling and getting something you get along with easier, I had a horse I had to retrain when I was a teenager and I loved her so much I couldn't bare to sell her but my god she bad! Looking back now I wish I hadn't wasted all those years trying to force a partnership as we just went suited to each other. Maybe you should consider looking around for a horse and I bet you will fall in love with one you can actually enjoy. Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear but that is my honest opinion.
 
what im wondering is where is this 16 yr olds parents whilst this horse is rearing? why cant people see that TBs are not regular horses ! its like trying to teach someone to drive in a ferrari- they are the most sensitive of animals -i for one wish people would stop buying exracers for inexperienced people just cos they are cheap - and then they wonder why they have problems!!! sheeesh:rolleyes:
 
Sorry but she has had some very good advice from several people, and spat out her dummy at them all, ok she's 16 but no need for bad manners and it seemed she didn't want advice at all really as she knew best.
 
Reminds me of Jazzaria all over again!! :rolleyes:

Seriously though OP a few of my friends have taken on ex racers - some have succeeded in easing the horse into their new lifestyle and have ended up with a lovely horse, willing to do everything (albeit with the odd tantrum ;)) Others have tried to rush it and ended up with a bad tempered, unwilling, stubborn horse that they have no control or patience with.
I think (and I'll admit I have never owned an ex racer, but have had my fair share of difficult, shall we say, horses) time and patience is the key - right back to basics, groundwork, hacking, building a really strong bond to get that trust and confidence to a maximum before you start to think about how he's going in the school.
You are only 16 you have all the time in the world to work with him :) My advice would be to stick with it, well done for asking for advice - now just accept it and enjoy your horse!
K x
 
Well, not to have yet another dig at this particular OP, time was when at the age of 16 one was leaving school and in the workplace full time, maybe in the army getting taught how to shoot to kill.

In 24 months the 16 year old will be voting, ie suddenly recognised as an adult.

I started working on a Saturday morning at age 12, got a big pay rise when I was 15 to real money, but had to work an eight hour day with tea breaks.

Most of the girls who have their own horses round here are 14 years to sixteen, they seem pretty sensible and are self-sufficient.
 
I'm surprised that no one has suggested getting your saddle fit checked professionally. Agree with the other advice about less is more but also strongly advise checking the saddle. Young horses change shape quickly - I have a 6 year old ex-racer and I've had the fit change in as little as a week with regular work. TB's are sensitive and a poorly fitting saddle can drive them crazy.
 
baymareb - I have just stalked through OPs other posts, well some of them, and she bought the saddle herself without having it fitted as it was comfy for her! She did say she was getting the saddler out to check it afterwards but what doesn't make sense is the saddle came from Ingatestone where they have a good in house saddler so don't understand why it wasn't checked prior to purchase.
She does then have another thread saying it doesn't fit and she needs a pad as hes getting a rubbed back.
Poor horse. I do remember being 16 and boy did I know everything but my parents would never have allowed that to impinge on an animals life.
 
Im sorry if I'm repeating what others have said as Im at work and dont have time to read through all responses :D

I'd deffo get two things checked immediately - that his saddle fits correctly and that his teeth have been checked.

I bought a 9 year old ex racer a few months back who came out of racing two years ago and had since been stuck in a field as nobody could get near him (he was deemed as dangerous/unrideable). I'm currently in the process of a complete reschooling process - something I suggest you do too as rearing is dangerous and needs to be stopped immediately before he seriously hurts you! His teeth were also completely horrendous which nobody had checked.

Im using a Thorowgood high wither (adjustable) saddle along with an all over riser pad as he has no topline/prominent spine and a normal saddle will put unwanted pressure on his withers and could cause him pain (resulting in rearing perhaps?).

Remove all gadgets and ride him what he will know - a plain simple snaffle. The de gouge is great for topline but maybe to restricting it to lunging once a week. Try also a lot of uphull/downhill hacking to develop his topline.

Good luck x
 
Keeky said:
ERRRR Was actually recommended them in the shop for the fact they don't strap their heads down unlike draw reins. They relax their head into a long and low position working on a pully system of rope. & Excuse me I've taken a year out of college just for him so I do have the time. & He had his 6 months off and came back into work with previous trainers who didn't have time for him so yeah great idea I'll send him back (Y)
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1) No need for that. Its plain rude. Didn't want to listen? Then don't post the question.

2) he is 5, probibily has no muscle from racing and needs to be built up. Slow and steady wins the race. He was probibily rearing because he was sore. Also don't be lulled into thinking, because his head is down he is going correctly, you want to ensure you maintain the forwards.

3) For now lunging/longreining will probibily be best for him to get his own balance without a rider on board. Once he is balanced and working with a bit more topline, then put the rider back into play. Also, lots of hacking etc to mix it up a bit.

4) Have his back, teeth, and saddle checked. What bit are you riding him in?
 
Keeky said:
You all need to calm it a bit, everytime I ride, a friend that just sold her retrained ex race horse helps me & everyone has sworn by the de gogue you can't really comment on that gadget yourselves until you actually know what it does tbh! Just like you can't comment on why my horse is behaving this way:/ Simply asked how to stop him. He was fine the today in them and the other time we used them which was the first time, yesterday was because some idiot was cantering round and round past my wound up 5 year old!
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My troll warning just sounded. I get the strong impression that it isn't just your horse that is young. So your friend has found a De Gogue worked for her horse so by inference will work for every ex racehorse in existence? Believe it or not, there are plenty of people here who know perfectly well how things like that "work", and even more surprisingly, know way more than you about reschooling ex racers. Gosh, a horse that gets excited because its windy and another canters past - what a shock that is. Bet the other rider would be delighted to know that they are an idiot for having the temerity to be working their horse in canter.

Heat and kitchens springs to mind.
 
Goldenstar said:
Please explain someone how and why would OP get banned I am new to all this.
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I suppose she could be a nutter, or a child, or a troublemaker, this forum is for adults to exchange views and info, so if TFC [The Fat Controller] decides she has overstepped the mark and is just a troll, some sort of ego tripper out to stir anger and so on, she will be pulled.
PS a lot of people complained to TFC about one of my posts [and I am never controversial lol] the whole post got pulled in the end.
 
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I brought a 5 year old ex-racer 3 years ago and had the same issues.

I am not sure if someone has already asked this, but have you had back and teeth checked?

In my experience good racehorses are very well looked after, but those who aren't bringing in the money don't tend to get the same attention and care.

Once back and teeth are checked and a correct fitting saddle is put on, then you can concerntrate on why it is rearing.
Does it rear on the lung or just when you are on its back?

I think if you have time on your side and a PMA, then you can give it everything you have to re-educate the horse, but if you are looking to change it quickly, then maybe it is not the project for you.

Hope you find out the reasons behind behaviour.
:)
 
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