Rearing.

M

moodymare123

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 October 2009
Messages
531
Visit site
Well, to cut the story short, horse has caught the habit of rearing
When i ask him to go infront on a hack, or when hacking alone.

Any ideas/tips on how to stop this?
 
DONT crack an egg on his head, hit him on the head, hit him on the stomach etc etc unless you are some Richard Maxwell duplicate!

I find keeping a bend in their neck by putting one leg on and opening that rein sometimes helps, as does circling them quite continuously AFTER they've reared, sending them forwards growling/using your voice/leg/whip if needed etc. I also find if they do spin, try not to let them stop the way that they want to go, keep them spinning until they are back facing where they should be and keep driving forwards!

Its also handy to set aside a whole session to get him used to going infront and going out alone - if he's napping I would get him used to going out and past the yard several times and then leave it there for that session!
 
As said before this is great advice. I do mounted games and have a pony that rears terribly on the start line. I find that if i keep her head turned to one side she is not as bad. Not sure if I will ever cure her of the habit as she has been doing it for a couple of years. it started as mini rears but she can stand striaght and paw now. Lots of people have given advice but to be honest when she is rearing I am to busy trying to stay on and keep balanced I forget the rest!!!
 
I expect this will sound daft but the couple of times my horse has reared I have bellowed at him "Pack it in" and because i tyr to be quiet around him it has really shocked him and he has stopped.

Have a look at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dgp-qc0P5s

This shows a horse rearing in slow motion if you can try to keep the head around to the side then they can't do it.

Could you get someone to go with you on foot and when your horse tries to rear they have to be willing to distract it. My friend had someone throw very soft rubber balls at her horse every time he tried it, he did spook but not rear. I'm not suggesting you do that but any distraction is worth a try. Another thing she did was to ask other people to hack out ahead of her and then wait for her. Gradually lengthening the distance meant her horse knew that eventually he would see one of his mates. Within 6 months he was happily going out by himself.
 
Rather than asking the horse outright to take the lead, let the other horse fall behind when in trot, then get upfront again after a few strides, do this regularly, so that the rearer becomes accustomed without realizing he is.
 
Rearing is usually caused by rough hands not allowing the horse forward. Take a look at the Horsehero web site there are a couple of vids on there about it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top