Phoenix12
New User
My daughters been riding a horse that occasionally rears and she freaks out but doesn't want to stop riding him. Any ideas what could be causing this and what we can do to stop this behaviour.
Rearing horse
- Thread starter Phoenix12
- Start date
dibbin
Well-Known Member
First stop - get his back, teeth and saddle checked as it could be a pain issue.
What's his routine? What does he get fed, how much turnout and how often is he ridden?
How old is he? How much education has he had? How experienced is your daughter?
Sorry, slightly endless question list, but there are a lot of things that could cause it.
What's his routine? What does he get fed, how much turnout and how often is he ridden?
How old is he? How much education has he had? How experienced is your daughter?
Sorry, slightly endless question list, but there are a lot of things that could cause it.
Phoenix12
New User
I've been told all that has been checked (share horse).
Lives out all the time.
Only ridden 2-3 times a week.
Young horse, 5 little bit of education.
Daughter is experienced but mainly with riding school ponies.
Lives out all the time.
Only ridden 2-3 times a week.
Young horse, 5 little bit of education.
Daughter is experienced but mainly with riding school ponies.
be positive
Well-Known Member
Rearing can be for many reasons and if it was my daughter I would be looking for a different share horse before the behaviour escalates, she is at risk from serious injury and probably lacks the experience to deal with it, I expect she is terrified but equally concerned that if she gives up she will not get another chance to have a horse of her own, reassure her that she can have another share if you give up on this one.
If you really want to stick with it then get a good experienced instructor to come and help, a young horse that is not doing much work, has different riders and is very green will require more expertise than your daughter can possibly have, the instructor may be able to work through it or may well advise you to move on and find something more suitable.
The owner also needs to step up and help, it is their horse and in their interests to find out why he is behaving in this way, they should not be happy to continue to allow a young child to ride without offering to help or advice.
If you really want to stick with it then get a good experienced instructor to come and help, a young horse that is not doing much work, has different riders and is very green will require more expertise than your daughter can possibly have, the instructor may be able to work through it or may well advise you to move on and find something more suitable.
The owner also needs to step up and help, it is their horse and in their interests to find out why he is behaving in this way, they should not be happy to continue to allow a young child to ride without offering to help or advice.
dibbin
Well-Known Member
I'd agree with this, with your daughter's level of experience and the horse's age I don't think this is a good match. I'm 27 and wouldn't want to ride something that reared on a regular basis.
BethH
Well-Known Member
Sounds like the horse is inexperienced and maybe getting panicky if it doesn't understand what is being asked. Also if there is a slight chance it's pain, the flare up's will get worse over time.
I would suggest deffo saddle check as 1st port of call, they change shape incredibly quickly at that age but it could be that there is a problem which is only showing itself now that the horse is being asked to do some work. I agree with the previous posters, at the very least get some experienced help not just for your daughter but also for the young horse's sake. It will be a shame if it starts on this road and continues to get worse because it isn't understood.
Your number one priority is to keep your daughter safe and make sure the horse gets the help it needs. There are loads of lovely horses out there to give your daughter confidence not take it away. I have a young daughter and would not allow her to sit on a horse that rears as I'd be worried about what it decides to do next!
I would suggest deffo saddle check as 1st port of call, they change shape incredibly quickly at that age but it could be that there is a problem which is only showing itself now that the horse is being asked to do some work. I agree with the previous posters, at the very least get some experienced help not just for your daughter but also for the young horse's sake. It will be a shame if it starts on this road and continues to get worse because it isn't understood.
Your number one priority is to keep your daughter safe and make sure the horse gets the help it needs. There are loads of lovely horses out there to give your daughter confidence not take it away. I have a young daughter and would not allow her to sit on a horse that rears as I'd be worried about what it decides to do next!
Shay
Well-Known Member
For me as a parent a horse that rears is the ultimate red line. It is potentially very dangerous. The owner should really be stepping in as rearing is not a habit you want to encourage and it can take a massive amount of experience to deal with it. If they are not stepping in that too would be another red flag. As would putting a rider with only riding school experience on a young horse come to think of it..
As with others - I would suggest you look for another share horse more suited to your daughter. It is horrible giving up on a horse - the kids really feel it. but her safety is paramount.
As with others - I would suggest you look for another share horse more suited to your daughter. It is horrible giving up on a horse - the kids really feel it. but her safety is paramount.
Damnation
Well-Known Member
Look for another horse.
Rearing is incredibly dangerous and if your daughter is freaking out, she won't be helping the situation.
Rearing can be a sign of hock/back problems, or something behaviourally wrong. As an experienced rider, having ridden for 20 years, I would avoid anything that rears.
Rearing is incredibly dangerous and if your daughter is freaking out, she won't be helping the situation.
Rearing can be a sign of hock/back problems, or something behaviourally wrong. As an experienced rider, having ridden for 20 years, I would avoid anything that rears.
laura_nash
Well-Known Member
When you saying rearing is it just half-rearing or going right up? If the latter, I would be looking for a new share horse for your daughter or at the least want a plan put in place with the owner as to how this was going to be resolved (with involvement of a vet and then trainer / behaviourist) before she rides it again. Horses that are really trying to get the rider off or are prepared to put themselves in physical danger (of slipping or going over) are either in pain or have series issues about being ridden.
If the former, look into lessons first as it may be something easily resolved (my sensible cob has "reared" with someone when they tried yanking his head in and sticking spurs in him, he wasn't trying to get them off just expressing his opinion of their riding). I knew a 12 year old with a nice horse that took to half-rearing / threatening all the time out hacking and although nothing ever happened it did start to look quite dangerous (I wouldn't have wanted to ride it). The owner started having weekly lessons with a good instructress and also found an experienced, very confident adult sharer who hacked it out during the week. A couple of months later it was a lovely horse to hack out with.
If the former, look into lessons first as it may be something easily resolved (my sensible cob has "reared" with someone when they tried yanking his head in and sticking spurs in him, he wasn't trying to get them off just expressing his opinion of their riding). I knew a 12 year old with a nice horse that took to half-rearing / threatening all the time out hacking and although nothing ever happened it did start to look quite dangerous (I wouldn't have wanted to ride it). The owner started having weekly lessons with a good instructress and also found an experienced, very confident adult sharer who hacked it out during the week. A couple of months later it was a lovely horse to hack out with.