Rearing in the field vs. riding?

[sidesaddlegirl]

I turned Hattie out this morning and she reared in excitement. This wasn't a little bunny hop rear but straight up vertical on two legs with the front legs flailing about. I've NEVER seen her rear before and her owner never said anything about rearing.

Does rearing in the field make them likely to rear when being ridden? She's never spooked badly when I've ridden her out, she can get strong in the canter out and if she does spook, it's just one of those normal horsey "jump a little bit sideways and shake" things. She's pretty chilled out when hacking.

Just wondering as I'd like to start her under side saddle hopefully later on in the year or next year when I can afford a saddle to fit her or get mine altered but don't fancy riding side saddle if rearing in the field predisposes her to rearing when being ridden.

I know I sound daft but it was a shock to see her go straight up like that today, I'd never had a horse that did this even in the field.

 

[Tia]

Was she playing in the field with another horse when she reared?

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

No, I turned her out into a little paddock by herself as she's been on the hard standing with hay for the past couple of days due to the weather and I know she was DEFINITELY bored yesterday with being on there even with a pile of hay and a horslyx!

I just took off her head collar, then she trotted up fast to the fence, reared at it, then spun around bucking and cantering around before rolling.

 

[Tia]

Sounds like it was just her stretching her legs to be honest. I wouldn't worry about it if it was just a one-off. Some of my guys rear and bounce around in their fields but would never, and have never, reared or bucked when under saddle. I'd just put it down to her being over-exuberant.

 

[samstar]

sounds to me she was just happy to be back out in field.

 

[dieseldog]

Ours rear in the field or loose in the school all time, along with bucking and leaping - but none of them would ever do it ridden. It is totally normal and don't worry she isn't going to be a rearer when you get to ride her.

 

[quirky]

I had one who reared in the field, with other horses and alone.
He was an absolute pig of a ride but never, ever reared with me on top. So, just because they rear in the field doesn't necessarily mean they'll rear with a rider.

 

[Shilasdair]

She was just having fun.
What they do in the field is their business, so I wouldn't worry about it. In fact, having a gallop, buck and rear, along with rolling are good ways for them to stretch stiff muscles; one of the benefits of turnout.
One of mine rears in the field, very balanced, walks around on her hindlegs, doesn't bother me.

S

 

[Jane_Lou]

If you saw what my boy gets up in the field on his own you would never get on him if you assumed he would do the same when ridden

He has never bucked or reared ridden.

 

[ester]

I wouldn't worry, both of mine do things in the field they wouldn't dare to do when being ridden.

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Phew! I was just worried that she had gotten it into her head about rearing

Don't blame her for doing it though as I bet she's as sick of the ankle deep mud and rain as I am!

 

[flowerlady]

If we put JB in the stable overnight and then restrict him where he can't see other horses he's fine. But when we take him back to his other field (he's on his own) but can see other horses and nosey over fence to them. We take headcollar off at gate he takes off full gallop reaches hedge/fence full rear bucks shouts flails legs ect. Ridden out he's so docile and has never ever attempted to rear or anything. He can be strong in canter/gallop for the first 250 yds then its back to (I'll slow down abit this is making me sweat).

So don't worry he's just having fun.

My other one used to do this as well but never ever with a rider or even a head collar on. Quite ploddy really most of the time.

 

[rockinghorse]

Daughters pony reared out hunting the other week, took her by surprise but she stayed on. We put it down to excitement as the field was narrowing to a gate & everyone had to wait their turn. She was advised to give him a sharp tap on his head. Strange that a 14yr old girl can think this was fun and other riders asked if he had been trained because he looked so balanced whilst waving his front legs. Pleased I (mum) didn't witness.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

I think its just high spirits at having some room to stretch and loon about - my cob only ever rears in the field has never even tried when being ridden. Just part of hanging out in the field. As some else has said if I thought either of mine would do the things they do in the field when i am riding I would never ride again!! Cob is well known for doing the dance of the sugar plum fairy and the WB thinks he is a racehorse!!