rearing horse going right over?!?!

[emma69]

Have you got an instructor that she respects / will listen to? I've dealt with rearers in the past, including one of mine who turned into a darling with some hard work, but I know my limits, and experienced as I am with rearing horses, I wouldn't take on a horse who has gone over more than once. Too many people are paralysed and die with perfectly behaved horses and unfortunate circumstances, there is NO sense in endangering your life, or liberty with a horse who doesn't care about his own safety. Maybe print this thread off and show her or her parents what some people with experience of rearers have to say about this scenario?

 

[Cyberchick]

I agree this is dangerous but I dont think there is enough detail in this post to make to many assumptions.
What does she do when he rears? Does he get told off? What are her reactions when riding and he gets jolly? Does she hang on to his mouth when she gets nervous? Does she let him get away with the bolting through the gateway etc?

 

[Sol]

Only thing I've ever really heard to work, other than purposely flipping rearers, is using an egg and cracking it on their head - giving the impression that they've hit their head & are bleeding. However, seems a little violent, dangerous and well.... just not the best idea ever.

BUT
Have also seen blinkers used - taped over the top so the horse can't see upwards, and as horses dislike going where they can't see, stop rearing.

Though, if she's 16... it's really not worth wasting your life for a horse.
And if it's really that bad, despite the obvious loss of money, would it not be best to prevent the same happening to another person? I know horses aren't cheap but there are enough good horses out there these days that can't be sold, without dangerous ones being passed on...

It might be curable in time but... what's worth the risk? If it does seem possible, then she should look for a professional home?

 

[JanetGeorge]

[ QUOTE ]
I agree this is dangerous but I dont think there is enough detail in this post to make to many assumptions.
What does she do when he rears? Does he get told off? What are her reactions when riding and he gets jolly? Does she hang on to his mouth when she gets nervous? Does she let him get away with the bolting through the gateway etc?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd agree. There are lots of reasons for rearers - and two main reasons for them going over backwards. Those reasons are:

1. the horse is nuts!
2. the rider pulls it over!

I once got a nice 15 hh mare in for re-schooling - it was a last resort before owner's father had it shot (she was 15). It had gone over backwards with her 3 times while she was mounting, and several times while she was riding!! I couldn't get the damn thing to rear!

So got Dad to bring her in for a lesson on quiet riding school cob! As she tried to mount, HE nearly went up - never seen such a clumsy girl! We taught her to mount properly, gave her some lessons, and part-exed the rearer for a nice WH type! The rearer never reared again and was sold to a COMPETENT teenager who had great success with her!

That's an extreme example but it does happen!

I also once had a rearer who reared because he didn't like anything above him (including the rider!!) But you could climb a step ladder outside his stable and he would stand there rearing repeatedly. He was finally almost cured and I hunted him for 10 years - but he was unsaleable!

He would do a full day's hunting without a rear and then - hacking home - if someone came alongside on a bigger horse, he'd go straight up! BUT - he NEVER turned over!

I would have to ask what this girl's parents are thinking of letting her continue to ride this horse! He WILL kill her, sooner or later!

 

[bugaboo]

Just because 1 person has deemed teeth fine,does not mean they are in this case get teeth,back,tack checked especially as its not a regular trick.
When you said get rid of the horse i would hope if she decides to sell,that she is honest about the horses behaivour.
Could be lack of work,feed,wormers,weather and ammount of things can cause a horse to get hyper.
A rearer that rears and will go to the extreme of going over,has little regard,respect,consideration for itself or its riders safety.
However from what i have read this horse does not make a habit of it.

If your friend is now that nervous she does not want to ride,get it checked over sell it on and be honest about it 100%.

I dont beleive a hprse can be condemmed for rearing and going over backwards on one occassion,i know you said it did it once before but is it not at all possible it went beyond the point of no return on both occasions by accident?

If it rears as a hobby then thats a major issue to be addressed,but imo as someone who has owned rearers and also seen and been on horses that have gone over ''just because they can'' this horse sounds somewhat out of charector and all factors should be taken into consideration before its fate is decided.

 

[SnowPhony]

This will end in one of two ways. He will kill her or kill himself. Your friend is being silly not to seek help.

I;ve seen a horse kill itself going over backwards and it really isn't nice. We were sent him at the hunt kennels and had been told he hadn't been ridden in 'a few weeks'. He reacted violently to being mounted and threw himself over on the yard. Luckily the person riding escaped relatively unscathed but poor horsey killed himself. Was the most awful thing I've seen.