Thoughts on smacking rearers?

[TequilaMist]

Out on hack with mare who doesn't like standing still if she can help it.Mare was being a bit of a prat and having a tantrum,bunny/mini rears.She doesn't buck or bolt ,rearing is her thing.She has done full rears in past when stressed or not wanting to do something.

Now, after advice on here a few years ago, I just turn her in small circles when she starts her tantrums and tbh hardly does it now.Sometimes this isn't possible if out on hack due to space issues .It was suggested that I should take a stick and whack her when she does this.

TBH really don't think that would work with this particular mare as think she'd really throw her toys out of pram and rear big time- tbh not something I really want if it can be managed another way esp out on a hack.Was told that whacking a rearer will most likely make them rear esp if hit on shoulder.
So does smacking rearers actually work?Not looking for right or wrong just thoughts on it.

 

[sydneysmum]

Ive heard before where as they start to rear you smack them on top of the head between their ears and they think theyve banged there heads and its supposed to put them off. Not sure whether it works and it does sound rather harsh but having said that rearing is a dreadful habit to have. I defo agree with turning in tight circles though. Good luck

 

[Kokopelli]

I never tried it on my horse, he was a 16.2 welsh x tb and with me being tiny if he wanted to do something he could. The best method I had when he reared was to move him forward or bend the neck left or right, they can't rear in this position.

I also think smacking him on the shoulder woild make him worse but possibly spurs or a smack on the bum would probably do the trick

 

[millitiger]

i wouldn't smack her for rearing if she is doing it because she can't go forwards.

smacking some rearers can work but only if they won't go forwards (being nappy) as opposed to can't (because you are asking her to stand) like your mare.

i would try feeding her polos or similar when standing still if there isn't room to turn circles- it might take her mind off stressing about not moving (would also make her bend her neck around so she can't stand up )

 

[Allover]

Yep a whack on the top of the head as they are going up, not nice but neither is rearing

The first mare i backed used to like a rear, very gmynastic she was (!!!) and i found turning my hands "down" (so thumb is pointing downwards) and blocking the rear that way helped a lot.

 

[Cedars]

IMO, smacks work for rearers if they're evading going forward - as it gives them the "no, seriously, go FORWARD" impulsion that they need. If they're being a tit about standing still, then I wouldnt smack because you're likely to just be telling them to leap forward.

The smacking on the head thing comes from the forces smacking eggs on rearers heads. Never done it, no idea if it works. However, when my 1year old was being a **** and rearing on the end of the leadrope, she got a bit of a shock when I spun round and smacked her, hard, on the stomach with the end of the leadrope. She came down with speed and has never ever done it again.

xxxx

 

[Allover]

i would try feeding her polos or similar when standing still if there isn't room to turn circles- it might take her mind off stressing about not moving (would also make her bend her neck around so she can't stand up )

I would also spend a lot of time practising "standing", building up the time she is happy to stand, thank god for polos

 

[Allover]

However, when my 1year old was being a **** and rearing on the end of the leadrope, she got a bit of a shock when I spun round and smacked her, hard, on the stomach with the end of the leadrope. She came down with speed and has never ever done it again.

xxxx

I have also heard that smacking them with a rope on the stomach when they go up works

 

[bryngelenponies]

My gelding, when I first got him, was a real pain to ride out. He was very nappy and I was initially unsure of him and he really played on that. However once I realised that he wasn't actually being dangerous- just small bunny hops to tell me he wanted to go home- I gave him a few smacks on his bum and he changed instantly. He now hacks anywhere even alone and will go past anything confidently. So in my case a good one-off smack did the trick but I would be wary of using the same technique with our mare. She sounds quite sensitive and a smack would only make things worse by the sounds of it.

 

[LizzyandToddy]

This is alot of hastle. But I got asked to sort out a rearing horse at our yard.
Yes smacking propells them forwards and down. But...

Get an egg. When they go up smash it as hard as you can between their ears (more effective than a sick). They get the sensation that they have cracked there head open. Its worked for every horse i've tried it with...

 

[reindeerlover]

This is alot of hastle. But I got asked to sort out a rearing horse at our yard.
Yes smacking propells them forwards and down. But...

Get an egg. When they go up smash it as hard as you can between their ears (more effective than a sick). They get the sensation that they have cracked there head open. Its worked for every horse i've tried it with...

I have often heard that this works but surely it's a logistical nightmare? Carry an egg in your pocket, hope it doesn't break, make horse stand, put hand in pocket whilst horse ***** around and tries to rear, take out egg, wait for full rear whilst riding with one hand, hope egg doesn't break, horse rears, lean forward enough to reach horse's head whilst swinging hand up to between ears and smash egg...

Must be hilarious too! Sorry, not a useful post at all but I really want to see someone doeing this someday.

 

[AndySpooner]

Don't smack horses ever, particularly on the head.

 

[TequilaMist]

Yep a whack on the top of the head as they are going up, not nice but neither is rearing

The first mare i backed used to like a rear, very gmynastic she was (!!!) and i found turning my hands "down" (so thumb is pointing downwards) and blocking the rear that way helped a lot.

We did this when first got mare and didn't really work with her she just got more wound up.The circling seems to have had the better long term solution

 

[kerilli]

I wouldn't smack a rearer, no. Rearing is a lot of effort for them and imho most serious rearers do it in protest at something physical.
I was taught to turn a rearer in tight circles. I usually use ONLY my voice to chasise, and then to get forward motion. With some rearers, just putting your legs on again can make them go up again, once they've got rearing in their heads.
Have a look at Endospink's video on a real rearer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBcQsVdxEA8
i think this is the best way i've ever seen to cope with a rearer - total passivity from the rider, giving the horse nothing to object to.
as for smacking them over the head - great way to make a horse go over backwards imho.
edited to add: i've watched Richard Maxwell on a rearer, slapping it across the stomach with a long soft plaited rope he was holding. it came back down again very fast...

 

[Allover]

Don't smack horses ever, particularly on the head.

Dont go up and over ever and break someones back or kill them!!

Unfortunately situations arise that need to be dealt with and IMO one quick sharp "no" is a damn sight better than an injured rider. We are in the real world.

 

[Happy Hunter]

I took someones horse out hunting for them once. 1st time out, she was too chicken ect ect. Horse was an angel thus far.

We got to the 1st bit of speed, she was middle of the field and everyone left her, she even stood and watched everyone pass her!

One rear came out (there was a whole field in front of her and I did want her to do forwards) - Someone (will never figure out who) - Leaned over with their Hunting crop and flapped the ropey bit onto its fleshy exposed tummy.
Horse came down quick as a sack of spuds and never did it again!!!

Absolute hunting angel now!! (didn't tell the friend about it at the time )

 

[Cedars]

Ye, I have to say smacking Puz on the stomach with a lead rope immediately stopped any problems and she's never misbehaved again!

 

[Groom42]

Have seen the egg trick done, on a horse that was getting higher and higher with his "front end bounces", and rider wanted to nip it in the bud. It worked. One very, very confused and contrite horse, who, to my knowledge, has stopped "bouncing".

 

[Charem]

Watched a friend try the egg trick on his horse, hugely amusing for me (he came back plastered in egg and there's no shower at the yard!) but it didn't stop the rearing.

I've heard good things about the rope on belly technique though imagine its pretty difficult to do and not for all horses. Personally I find trying to hang on takes up enough of my brain power!

 

[WelshInferno-x]

My pony was a chronic rearer and even with a stick I couldn't get her forwards, she always played up in the school. There were days when all she did was rear constantly for the entire duration of the schooling session.

And because she was extremely headshy smacking her across her poll made her worse and her tense which involved rearing even more. She'd take off and just wouldn't listen to what I said, This involved me hitting the ground alot. And most the times she'd rear up and chuck me into wooden kick boards.

I tried everything, and then I decided to completely reschool her to try and get her to move forwards of my legs and tried not to put her into a situation where rearing was her only option. Eventually her rearing became less and less, She however cannot walk or trot in straight lines [say centre line or a three quarter line] because she tends to panic and tries to canter, which resulted in rearing.
We did a prelim test. And got eliminated. Because although she did the test perfectly even though she was tense. On the final centre line she reared verticle and fell on me. It scared her both but that afternoon we were jumping and we had no rearing fits because she scared herself.
She does rear occasionally now. Say if I dismount to remove her double reins, she'll rear when I try and remount, Or she'll rear when I want her to go into a stable away from her friends.

If she'd been handled correctly from day one she wouldn't be a rearer. But she's stopping it and will onlydo it occasionally. Which is better then everyday. Now she does it out of excitement.

Smacking her with a whip didn't make her go forward it made her worse, a smack between the ears also made her worse.

Depends on the horse and capability of the rider I say

 

[AndySpooner]

Dont go up and over ever and break someones back or kill them!!

Unfortunately situations arise that need to be dealt with and IMO one quick sharp "no" is a damn sight better than an injured rider. We are in the real world.

Situations do arise, normally the fault of the rider, if you cannot train your horse not to rear without hitting it get professional help from someone who can.

 

[natalia]

Errr no, don't do it! I don't think smacking them ever really helps and as for hitting them round the ears its a bit stupid really as if they are going big enough to warrent being hit round the ears your prob. throw them off balance and could end up under them. General rule is if they go up arms around neck. Not worth it! I prefer to stop them before they even start, block the neck and shoulder so they can't make it up in the air and turn a tight circle with lots of leg. Hitting something thats on its way up behind your leg is also a no as often they will go up and then leap and fly buck. I've sorted out some very nappy horses before and never have had to use an egg, beat them over the head ect. Often a horse that naps going out can also be cured by a few weeks long reining with an experienced person.

 

[JanetGeorge]

How to stop a horse rearing depends firstly on the horse and its natural temperament, and secondly on WHY it rears.

I wouldn't hit a mare over the head with anything! With a stubborn gelding, there's a more convenient version of the egg trick which I have used on a stubborn gelding - a plastic bag with a modest quantity of blood in it (easier to carry - and when the bag busts, the smell of the blood trickling down their face is more convincing than an egg!!)

Have also used the lash of the hunting whip under the belly - ideally you should be carring the whip with the end of the lash in your hand so you can direct the lash more accurately (or have a very short lash on the whip.)

But circling hard and riding forward the second horse comes down is generally the safest and most effective way - and of course figuring oyut what is triggering the rearing and either mending the problem (teeth, back, saddle, rider!) or otherwise avoiding the triggering circumstances.

A horse rears because he doesn't want to go forward - address forward and you solve the rearing!

 

[HollyWoozle]

The only time my mare properly reared up with me was when she didn't want to leave home. I lay the stick over her shoulder which was usually just enough encouragement and she just went straight up (wasn't a smack, I literally just touched the stick on her shoulder). I tumbled off but luckily no harm done.

She's never done it again and I have used the stick at other times without this effect (though I think I've only actually smacked her with it maybe twice). I can only presume she reared because she wasn't expecting the stick and was just feeling stroppy that day! I would be wary of smacking a rearer in the future simply because I think the stick is what caused my horse to rear.

 

[TequilaMist]

Thanks for replies all are interesting.
I don't smack her for rearing as it really wouldn't work with her. she would just start swearing at you as well as going up really high and then it would be just one big argument. She rears when stressed/scared and when basically not getting her own way.
JanetGeorge she rears on a hack cos she is not getting to go foreward lol.We are working on this and she has improved so so much over the last year or so with circling every time she twitches towards a rear!Used to be at least every other day now hardly ever does it.
Has only recently started again when we moved yards - same horses we just moved over the road to new build.So feel she's just extra stressing right now so whacking her for it seems unfair as this is her way of coping iykwIm.Not saying I'd do nothing but circlings working and if it ain't broke.............

 

[amandap]

I'm seriously shocked at some of the replies, that egg thing made my mind boggle! Many moons ago I heard the old fashioned version... hit 'it' between the ears with a bottle! I really thought this sort of approach was long gone! How wrong was I.
I've often wondered how on earth you are supposed to reach up and hit a horse with anything between it's ears mid rear anyway! The only severe rearers I've seen go vertical!
I often wonder why so many horses have sore polls and stiffness in that area. I suppose it doesn't matter if the horse gets a headache and risk of broken skull! Just because we want to ride it and make it put up with that! What happened to the partnership in this scenario?

Surely horses rear for a reason... mixed unclear aids from the rider (eg. kicking with legs and pulling on the reins at the same time) a horse doesn't understand your aids and rears in frustration (usually after whacks, jags on the reins etc.) a horse doesn't want to move forward due to fear or has learned that rearing is an effective escape.

I personally wouldn't ride a horse that reared severely full stop as I'm too old and crumbly and my life and health is worth more to me than 'proving a point' to the horse or anyone.
Surely this is where we need to stop and ask why? Try and see things from the horses point of view ie. what is wrong, is it physical, psychological, a training/communication breakdown issue or a combination of all or some of these elements...

 

[stacey_lou]

I dont know that it works but I was always told for a horse that rears alot to smash an egg between their ears when they do it, apparantly the feeling of the eggh yoak running down their face leads them to believe that they have hit their head and the egg is blood. its said to scare them so much that they wont do it again.

Ive never tried it may just be an old horsey trick.

 

[emmachiro]

Thank goodness for Amandap....phew some sense...

The point behind the poll is THE MOST sensitive area for a horse - it's where the preditors attack them as there is no bone covering the spinal cord, only very thick ligaments, which is why if a horse rears up and hits its head hard enough and in the wrong place it will drop dead.

Why is it always expected that a horse will work when we want them to???!!! Hello??? What happened to horsemanship!!!

Have you had this horse assessed to see if it's in any pain in it's neck/back??? If you were in pain and were asked to do half the things we ask our horses to do, I think you'd object too!!!

 

[TallyHo123]

I wouldn't smack a rearer, no. Rearing is a lot of effort for them and imho most serious rearers do it in protest at something physical.
I was taught to turn a rearer in tight circles. I usually use ONLY my voice to chasise, and then to get forward motion. With some rearers, just putting your legs on again can make them go up again, once they've got rearing in their heads.
Have a look at Endospink's video on a real rearer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBcQsVdxEA8
i think this is the best way i've ever seen to cope with a rearer - total passivity from the rider, giving the horse nothing to object to.
as for smacking them over the head - great way to make a horse go over backwards imho.
edited to add: i've watched Richard Maxwell on a rearer, slapping it across the stomach with a long soft plaited rope he was holding. it came back down again very fast...

Agree with this totally.

 

[Fairynuff]

Out on hack with mare who doesn't like standing still if she can help it.Mare was being a bit of a prat and having a tantrum,bunny/mini rears.She doesn't buck or bolt ,rearing is her thing.She has done full rears in past when stressed or not wanting to do something.

Now, after advice on here a few years ago, I just turn her in small circles when she starts her tantrums and tbh hardly does it now.Sometimes this isn't possible if out on hack due to space issues .It was suggested that I should take a stick and whack her when she does this.

TBH really don't think that would work with this particular mare as think she'd really throw her toys out of pram and rear big time- tbh not something I really want if it can be managed another way esp out on a hack.Was told that whacking a rearer will most likely make them rear esp if hit on shoulder.
So does smacking rearers actually work?Not looking for right or wrong just thoughts on it.

this guy is brill but he lives a long long way away!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKkl8jbe0Ks