Rearing

Halfpass

Halfpass

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Ok so Aleeta has come a long way since I got her in November. She has gone from never having a head collar on to leading quietly having a bridle and roller on, loves to be groomed picks up feet etc etc. I have just one problem at the moment and one that is scaring me a little.

I do most of my inhand work with her on the way to the field and back (its a good 10 mins both ways) this is working well and some days I alter the route we take (its along a country lane) so it takes us a little longer. In this time I do lots of backing up moving over etc etc and its really is working well. I try to take her in the school once or twice per week to do the same in the school. I try to do this on the days where she is out over night so as not to do too much with her.

My problem is that in the school she really lacks attention and as soon as she sees another horse she goes up on her back legs. She can be quiet as a mouse for 5-10mins then someone will come back from a hack and she goes mad just constantly rearing. I have had an IH instructor out who told me to step away but wave the rope at her and make myself big but keep a safe distance away then when all 4 feet are on the floor keep turning her towards me until her concentration is back on me. Tried this today and yes it did work but I was shaking like a leaf by the end. The trouble is we are having a lot more people come to our yard so there is going to be a lot of comings and goings and I really can't go on like this. She only stops rearing when the horse is out of sight.

Any suggestions??
 
I take it your horse is rearing when you leading it from the ground, My17.2 used to do it and box down on top now a lot of people might not agree but I was told to put him in a chiffney, reluctantly I did, it worked wonders, If you dont feel experanced enough, sorry if am wrong get someone experanced to use chiffney and show you how to use it IMO a horse that rears is not safe to handler its self, or people around
 
Yes it is when I am leading her. She is only 2 1/2 and had never been handled until beginning of november and she only ever does it in the school. I feel that a chiffney would be a bit harsh at this stage but thanks for you advice.
 
I used to takemy instructors advice all the time, if it does not work I would then go back to him and say that has not worked but so ans so sugested this what do you think, what I found was the more you show your fear the worse they become, My filly rears and runs off with my mum, yet with me she is like butter wouldnt melt. Good luck I know how daunting it can be when they do rear on you.
 
Firstly, well done for the other night when it worked for you.

Could you ask you instructor to come and do some of the ground work in the school with her when you know the yard will be busy? I do not know how experienced in IH you are, but I know I would be very tempted to get someone who was trained in these methods to help me out if I was in this situation. You do not want her thinking she can get away with going up on her back legs, as it is the one thing that terrifies me when it comes to horses because they can lose their balance so easily when they rear.

Sorry if you are already doing this...

If I was in your situation I would get my instructor to come out twice a week and do the school work with her, and I would just carry on with the ground work leading her to and from the field as you said she is good doing this.
 
Thanks have only had the one IH lesson so far but she did say I picked it up quickly!!
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Would love to get her out again on a more regular basis but she is quite pricey, also she is not doing any handling at the moment due to a back problem. I'll probably give her a call tomorrow and see if she can come next week sometime to give me some advice.
 
Ah, what a pity that she is not doing any handling, but it would be good for her to come and give you another lesson. After all, I know it is expensive, but once you have the problem solved it is one less thing to worry about.

Hope it goes well for the two of you!
 
My last 2 youngsters did exactly the same (not Axel, the 2 before him) and at the time I was reading a Richard Maxwell article about smacking them under their stomachs as they are rearing as that is a very vulnerable part of them and they need to protect all their vital organs and stop doing it.
Don't know how easy or practical it would be for you to do but it worked with my old horse Rocky in just 1 session
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Sam x
 
I think that you need to nip this in the bud asap.

Initially I would make sure that you led her in using a lunge line.

If you think she is going to rear change immediately what you are doing - turn her, trot her, push her back. You have to anticipate it a bit and be faster than they are.

If she does go up let her and do not pull her down. I would pull down hard on the rope when she lands, say a firm no, and then immediately change what you are doing - turn her, push her back dont go forward because that is what she will be anticipating.


Be one step ahead of her. I've seen her pics and she is great - lovely looking. She also looks like a sharp little madam! Is she Selle Francais?
 
i agree with the making yourself look BIG ... works for me everytime ...horses will test us ... buggers !!! xx

Good luck !!
 
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