Rearing whilst 'cycling' with the legs

I have seen my 13.2 pony rear bolt upright to confront a 16 hands mare who was threatening him so that his head was level with hers. He has also reared in astonishment when catching sight of a miniature foal for the first time, or was it to get a better look? He has not done it under saddle so far and he is very polite when he does it in hand, folding his front legs close to himself. He will also do it if somebody tries to do something he disagrees with (injections, mane thinning with a thinning tool...) but is usually amenable to reason/desensitisation.
 
Mine used to rear under saddle and ‘cycle’ then paw at the ground when she had ulcers, never done it again since scoping clear.
Seen lots of geldings in the field playing and rearing cycling and pawing
 
Fortunately I've not found a rear in Lari yet. I don't think he has it in him which is just as well as I wouldn't like a rearer.

Bailey only ever reared three times with me, once on box rest when I was letting her hand graze and she was over exuberant, once when they couldn't go out for 3 days due to the ice/snow and we were playing games at liberty in the indoor school. I was walking towards her, she walked backwards, I walked to the side, so did she. I flailed my arms in the air and she went up! I turned and ran screaming. :eek:

And once under saddle when a naff saddle fitter fitted a saddle that clearly didn't fit her, we walked about two paces from the mounting block and she went up full height really slowly, and then hovered before coming down really slowly. You've never seen someone get off so fast in all your life lol! :D
 
some do some don't.

my very quiet biddable easy going stallion rears (in the field) full height, hoofs above ears lashing out and looking like a feral mustang.

the more macho stallion does tiny little squats with front legs down.

no real reason for either, just a personal thing per each horse. wouldn't read a thing in to the front legs, its the rearing full stop that needs investigating.
 
SEL said:
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
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That would be my fear too - that the leg waving is an attempt to stay balanced while rearing with the weight of a rider on. If that was the case it would be (even more) terrifying
 
When mine came at me waving his front legs I knew it was time to say 'enough'. The look in his eye said it all. 'I anticipate pain. I will kill it'. The only two other times I have seen that was first, when a mare dumped a good rider in the school with a bronking fit and then turned around, reared up, and went to strike as she came down. The second was in Africa when a young colt killed a snake.
 
Mine 'box' at each other in the field all the time. I'd imagine if they reared under saddle the boxing / striking out / cycling might happen out of habit?

All unshod but they have plenty of scrape marks on their faces so I know this goes on repeatedly ! Young boys being boys.
 

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ihatework said:
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.
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Thanks but I've had enough replies and I'm not prepared to compromise the owners privacy by discussing in detail, knowing what bizarre directions these threads can go at times
 
Birker2020 said:
Thanks but I've had enough replies and I'm not prepared to compromise the owners privacy by discussing in detail, knowing what bizarre directions these threads can go at times
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I wouldn’t expect you too! Odd comment. I hope the owner gets to the bottom of it with the professional they are sensibly paying to help who can assess the situation in the flesh and not try and second guess from afar.
 
Arabi used to rear and clap his front hooves together several times but that was when he was entire, the only time I see him rear now is at the horses next door when they get too near the fence, it's more of a playing thing though a bit like polo's mum pictures.
 
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