Rearing whilst 'cycling' with the legs

[Birker2020]

Can someone tell me the difference between a horse that rears and its legs are still to one that rears and moves its legs in the air and paddles.

Don't really want to go into too much detail as its not my horse. TIA

 

[Nari]

Is it striking with it's legs? If it is then I'd take that as much more threatening behaviour than one that just goes up with it's legs still and tucked in.

 

[Birker2020]

Is it striking with it's legs? If it is then I'd take that as much more threatening behaviour than one that just goes up with it's legs still and tucked in.

I supose I'd describe it more as paddling than striking out but it might be construed as the same thing. This is under saddle, not in hand. Horse is going full height with rider, little less with pro.

I've never seen a hirse do anything with its legs before other than to dangle them so this is a new one on me.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Had a horse do it out hunting when frustrated they had to wait. More of a wanting to go, can’t, so went up but still wanted to go.

She is nuts to hunt so silly behaviour was expected, if she’d done it any other time I’d be more concerned.

 

[Roxylola]

The front legs coming up feels much freakier to sit on. A balanced up with front legs down doesn't bother me, I'm pretty sure that's not going over backwards. Legs striking out, not so much

 

[Nari]

I supose I'd describe it more as paddling than striking out but it might be construed as the same thing. This is under saddle, not in hand. Horse is going full height with rider, little less with pro.

I've never seen a hirse do anything with its legs before other than to dangle them so this is a new one on me.

To be honest if it's going up that high under saddle I don't care what the front legs are doing, it's not for me and I'd be selling on with full disclosure or keeping as a pet if I was fond of it.

 

[Birker2020]

I had a horse years ago rear but not so dramatically, turned out she had three veterbrae out. But i don't remember her doing anything with her legs whilst in the air like this horse does.

Weird as this horse can go two or three rides without a problem, then all of a sudden starts.

 

[SEL]

My Appy can go vertical and used to bounce on her hind legs doing it, but she never paddled her front feet and I'm not sure I'd have trusted her to balance if she did

Retired from riding now but she gave a great display in the field when the hot weather broke recently.

Does anything particular set the horse off?

 

[PurBee]

Im not entirely sure, but what comes to mind is that the paddling action could be the horse trying to maintain balance in the rear perhaps? If it wants to stay reared-up it would require more balance, especially with a rider on board, than horses that do a quick rear on the spot and then go down.

Similar to if we stand on one leg and hold our arms out to the side for balance. If we wobble on the 1 leg, we’re likely to waggle our arms around to gain/maintain balance on the one leg.

 

[spotty_pony]

Usually when they start moving their legs it is because they are trying to balance and not go over backwards.

 

[Birker2020]

Does anything particular set the horse off?

Not that I can see but I've only watched it ridden twice so don't really know.

 

[ihatework]

I’m sure the pro will guide the rider accordingly, which is what they are getting paid for.

Without the full story and picture it’s difficult to comment further.

 

[SEL]

Not that I can see but I've only watched it ridden twice so don't really know.

If it's a new habit I'd guess pain.

Mine had two triggers. One was a situation her brain couldn't process - mainly when she was young. The second was a combo of her muscle disease and her hocks. So effectively not wanting to move forward which resulted in up.

Her "just excited" behaviour was bucking. She could go pretty much vertical that way too!

 

[shortstuff99]

The Spanish potato used to rear as a young horse (and still does it in the field). As she is so athletic a rear was easy for her and if she ever felt stuck up she would go. I've seen her on the ground and on top wave the legs about (she never lost her balance). She wouldn't even think of doing it now as I have been able to show her how to get herself out of these situations so it doesn't escalate.

I once rehabbed a horse that would rear (under saddle) and then intentionally slam her front legs onto gates, fences etc. That was interesting.

 

[Birker2020]

I’m sure the pro will guide the rider accordingly, which is what they are getting paid for.

Without the full story and picture it’s difficult to comment further.

Just curious for myself that's all. I hate not knowing the reason for something.

 

[scruffyponies]

I don't agree that paddling is because they're losing their balance. Colts play like that all the time, and they don't fall over.
They do it when showing off, but under saddle I would guess more likely to be frustration.

 

[planete]

One of the race horses I rode used to nap and rear occasionally. He was a pro at it and never came close to losing his balance. He would always slowly cycle his front legs at the the height of the rear. He could stay up for quite a bit too.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My old boy always had a rear in him; took him to the only show we ever went to and it was a total car-crash. He completely lost it in the collecting ring and I'd already got off him and was intending to walk him back to the lorry when he just went up high on his back legs and did the waggling-forelegs thing at me. Very disconcerting seeing those big soup-plates just inches from my head.

That was the last show we ever went to.

Later in his life when he was 20 I'd posted a picture of him on social media asking if anyone had known him in his younger days as I'd had an idea of where he'd been, but there were a few gaps.

The girl that'd had him when he was between around 5 to 7yo got in touch. Turned out he'd been sold without her knowing by her mother (nice lady!), but she had actually taught him to rear. Her reasoning being that he was going to do it anyway and he might as well be "taught" how to do it...........

I wish I'd known earlier in his life!! What a crass thing to do. I did get a professional in and she taught me some coping strategies for when he threatened to rear under saddle (he'd stop/nap & then back up whilst threatening to rear) - and eventually he seemed to forget all about it, plus the fact we made sure the situation never arose anyway i.e. shows and gatherings of lots of horses which was the stress-trigger for him. He did turn out to be a lovely happy hacker who'd go solo.

Am just glad I DID find out why he did it especially as 2yrs later we made the decision to PTS as he had considerable mobility issues. We put him and his (mare) pairbond down together, same occasion, same bright autumn morning......... both were ready to go and it wouldn't have been fair or kind to have left one without the other.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have tons of videos, some on you tube of BB he does this all the time in the field, he likes to show off, he waggles his legs but NEVER when ridden, he used to bunny hop in reverse when he was taking a tizzy when ridden but all calmed down now.
Id be concerned when rearing while ridden though

 

[JBM]

I have tons of videos, some on you tube of BB he does this all the time in the field, he likes to show off, he waggles his legs but NEVER when ridden, he used to bunny hop in reverse when he was taking a tizzy when ridden but all calmed down now.
Id be concerned when rearing while ridden though

He looks very proud of himself ?

 

[Barton Bounty]

He looks very proud of himself ?

He is, he thinks it’s hilarious ? he doesnt it when I get him from the field, when he gets his dinner , hes like an overgrown dog ? never once has he ever struck out though, always rears away from me lol ?

 

[Nari]

Barton Bounty mine will also rear for attention or to warn off field mates, but not under saddle. He's ridiculous - goes up in slow motion while looking to see if he's being noticed, and if anyone is close he tucks his front legs right up tight, he'd hate anyone to think he was threatening them lol

 

[Barton Bounty]

Y

Barton Bounty mine will also rear for attention or to warn off field mates, but not under saddle. He's ridiculous - goes up in slow motion while looking to see if he's being noticed, and if anyone is close he tucks his front legs right up tight, he'd hate anyone to think he was threatening them lol

Yessss im so glad its not just me that has this!!! This will possibly sound ridiculous to some of you but my horse is jealous of other horses near me but also other people! Its crazy! He will make faces at them , pretend to bite them and generally just warn them away lol, hes a nightmare but its also sweet that he’s protective ?

he gallops along the fence line like pepe le pew! Woohoo mums here,, mini rears at the gate up and down the fence line again like an overexcited dog ?

 

[ponynutz]

Non-ridden it seems like more threatening behaviour to me - mine used to do it once she'd been caught to avoid having to come in (that was nipped in the bud ASAP).

I've heard that it's a balance thing if they're rearing while ridden but rearing often indicates a problem.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Non-ridden it seems like more threatening behaviour to me - mine used to do it once she'd been caught to avoid having to come in (that was nipped in the bud ASAP).

I've heard that it's a balance thing if they're rearing while ridden but rearing often indicates a problem.

Mine does it because hes wanting in ?

 

[ponynutz]

Mine does it because hes wanting in ?

Opposites attract?? ? ?

 

[Nari]

Mine to a tee Barton Bounty, except he'll actually get quite unpleasant if a horse I handle is then turned out with him and the guarding in the field will be carried through with bites if horses don't give us the space he wants. To date there's never been an issue with him getting nasty with people, but I wouldn't want to bet on that holding if he thought someone was threatening me.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Opposites attract?? ? ?

Yup! Totally ???

 

[Goldenstar]

My best horse ever has a party piece she stood on her back legs with her forelegs straight and walked about .
The ten minute box at a three day was a bit of a nightmare .

 

[Barton Bounty]

My best horse ever has a party piece she stood on her back legs with her forelegs straight and walked about .
The ten minute box at a three day was a bit of a nightmare .

That sounds too funny but not if you know what I mean ?