sharp rears

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samp

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Anyone got any ideas or know of anyone that has had help/ issues resolved.

My horse is so quick at rearing. spinning and rearing. There is no warning and its not a regular occurence, she is so sharp and quick I can't hit her on the poll.

Yesterday we attended a SJ clinic, 1st fence jumped lovely -2nd we had a silly run out but then jumped lovely. 3rd had horses by it and we were cantering nicely to it no warning then wham straight up, spin, straight up spin. No one knew how I sat her - i often wonder but think it comes from years of riding naughty horses.

I think that was more a napping thing but does anyone have any suggestions?
 
I think it is very difficult once they have established this habit - how old is she? Maybe more basic flatwork and 'obedience' training would help but if that is already well established then is there a pattern to what situations she does this in?

Obviously the best people to help are those who deal with problem horses as they will be able to ascertain whether it is 'naughty' behaviour or is her way of escaping something she is unsure of or is causing her pain.

If it was a regular habit and you knew when she would try it, I have been told a little 'trick' which is apparently to tie the tail via string to the girth as the horse needs it's tail to balance so if it cannot use it it cannot rear. However, yours sounds like it is more spinning and the rear is part of the spinning as opposed to just refusing to go forward and rearing.

Without seeing what exactly the horse is doing it is difficult to advise so seek professional help is my best suggestion!
 
It seems to occur at clinics - well the last 2 times have which makes me think she is napping?? She has had her back, saddle and teeth done recently.

She was a late starter and badly started so I have had to almost re-start her she has come on leaps and bounds - now 11years old (I have had her 2.5years). She has only reared like this 4 times since I have owned her the last 2 were more recent though - 1 6 weeks ago at XC clinic and the other yesterday. Her rearing I know is established as before I had her she'd been sold and come back to the person that started her as they couldn't handle or ride her due to rearing.
 
Try turning her sharply as soon as you feel her start to go up. It works with my boy and although I get a bit of notice, I think it would be easy enough to do without warning. Turn her head right round to your stirrup and KICK KICK KICK until she goes forwards. Works for me
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I'm really not trying to sound flippant but could you avoid clinics as they, as you say, seem to be a trigger for her. As the rearing you describe is so quick and it's hard for you to prevent it may be that discretion could be the better part of valour?
 
Maybe she's feeling stressed or wound up in a clinic? Soem just find these types of thinsg blow their mind. My sister's old horse got into a very bad habit of rearing when asked to jump and also if out alone. We came to the conclusion it just wasn't for him as he fretted too much. We sold him (to the first person to see him) and were very honest about his rearing etc but she just wanted to hack and i think we were that shocked she wanted him the sale was agreed!

Hmm, turns out she kept him on his own (we went to see hima few days after selling him) she'd washed him, pulled his mane to within an inch of its life and he looked terrifeied poor thing.

she also then (we heard) took him to a show and tried to get a friend to jump him - or course he reared! After about 2 mths she sold him to a dealer and then he went on to someone who did long distance (perfect for him). He has been sold on since though and the last we heard was to a hunt/eventing home.

The point of that (rather long) story that it could she just finds it all too much and that can be hard to get a horse through. If she is ok on her own and with minimum pressure being put on her she may relax and a few months of non pressure work and no rearing may help rid of the problem.
 
thank you for your replies - last year we attended plenty of clinics and Sponsored rides - in which we had a very relaxed and easy

I have promised a friend we'd go XC clinic on Sun so I will take her but if I feel she is getting stressed/ rears etc then we will pull her out and think again.

She loves her jumping and is normally fine in company and alone. Can hack in company and alone and she's perfect also jumps happily in lessons and on sponsored rides
 
I would get her hocks checked - Ty started rearing when jumping was putting too much pressure on his hocks - hey presto hock spavin.....some horses have ways of telling you they're in pain!
 
Fly is rather fond of the vertical movement! Would also add that a sharp turn usually puts him off his 'axle'! My boy's rears are usually because I have pushed him outside of his confort zone or as a result of insecurity. I have learnt to recognise the signs now and which buttons not to press. Try to anticipate or recognise any small sign and ask a different question, good luck and be safe. xx
 
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