What Can You Do With A Rearer And Would You Try?

Don't even think about it, send him back asap and do not ride him until he goes. He sounds like a horse with serious issues and you don't want to make them your problem.

Just out of interest someone posted a video of a guy dealing with a rearer (sorry can't find it again). He rode it with no stirrups in a treeless saddle (all of this I imagine for safety reasons in case it went backwards on him) and just sat there doing nothing other than hugging the horse's neck when it went up. The horse just went vertical again and again until it realised it could not get rid of him and then apparently packed it in. He was a professional though specialising in problem horses so I don't think this is something 'mere mortals' like us should try at home!!!
 
I used to have a rearer like that, very unpredictable and very dangerous - I sent her back to the dealer I got her from after 2 years of trying to sort her out with lots of help trying different things - I got rid before she ruined my confidence.

Rearers like that are not fun.
 
My old horse was a serial rearer. The minute you put any pressure on her which took her out of her comfort zone she went backwards. When that failed, she reared (twice she went over).
At 17hh it was dangerous beyond belief as nothing stopped her behaviour (even the smack across the belly that BOF describes failed)
We had her pts as we couldnt risk someone "trying" to cure her of her bad habit. Hard as we had had her since a yearling, but selling her wasn an option.
Send him back before you get hurt.
 
Horses that have problems like rearing etc do nothing but ruin your confidence and riding. I had a horse who was seriously talented and could be really good and brilliant on the right day. But when he was bad he was horrid and my riding went downhill, my confidence was rock bottom and consequently he just got worse because he knew it. Someone then said to me 'there are plenty of nice horses in the world, why bother with one with problems' and I have to agree. I swapped him for a lovely mare who has given me back my confidence and is just as talented but a bit greener. Get rid, it really isn't worth it.
 
At the end of the day, how do you feel about being badly injured or worse? Is a horse really worth it?

You are in a fortunate position of being able to send it back - at least you won't be lumbered with it, or have the difficult & dubious job of selling it on.

A person I know was recently reared with vertically & horse went straight to Potter's. No second chances for it.
 
If you stick with this horse you might end up living up to your name! If you really want to try one last thing, you could try the belly smacking thing as mentioned - but there is always the possibility you will merely make him go over backwards. I know it's hard to give up, but you seem very experienced and I think it's time to let this one go, you've put up with more than most people would. Also, if you have any family at all, you kind of owe it to them too not to get yourself squished if it's at all avoidable.
 
Yep, I think I better do a swap. People will think I'm feeble but I'd rather that than end up with a nasty injury.

I don't understand why he rears. He actually reared with me twice in the school one night, 15 mins in the first time, as I was walking round gently, saying "Good boy". He doesn't like one corner of the school and just suddenly started going up, 6 times in a row without a break, threatning to come over each time if you didn't keep your weight forward. All you can do is sit there, trying not to overbalance him, waiting for him to stop. If you kick him on, the response is to rear more, ditto if you give him a tiny smack. I don't think I could reach to smack his stomach. He stays up for quite a while too, waving his front legs about to balance, like something out of a circus.

He's not nervous, he's not in pain and he's not scared. Somewhere along the line he has picked up the habit and is rather pleased with himself. Shame, as he is not a nasty horse - doesn't kick even when he's obviously being tickled by the clippers, lovely to handle. But as said above, if you put him under any pressure (and it can be taking up a contact and asking for an outline, or encountering a differently coloured piece of ground) he rears. Again and again and again, until he is tired. Then he shoots forwards. Until the next temper tantrum. Even if he was reschooled, I don't think I'd ever trust him again not to revert.

I just end up riding him so as not to upset him. He rears instead of being asked to go forwards so all I can do is ride him round the school in trot and canter, not really asking for an outline. If you jump, you can't ask him to shorten as he doesn't accept anything but the most minimal contact. All this I could work on except for the fact that he rears when I try to!

He is 10 too and still in British Novice with no BE points or anything, so obviously there must be reasons for this, although a past rider from a few years ago never had him rear with her.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Send it back.

I had one that used to rear up and run down the road with me... not fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, he does that as well! Last time I attempted a hack (on a route he had done 4 or 5 times already) we barely got out of the yard before he started going up. We only had 3 rears that time, then he bronced, all 4 feet in the air, I lost my stirrups, so he spun round and cantered back to the yard with me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't do anything, I'd get rid of it before it seriously injured me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Completely and utterly agree. Rearers are bargepole territory for me, as in wouldn't touch one with....
 
[ QUOTE ]
Yep, I think I better do a swap. People will think I'm feeble but I'd rather that than end up with a nasty injury.


[/ QUOTE ]
Even more people will think you've got a screw loose if you pass up the chance to swap him for a normal horse, and keep getting back on when you know he's not really safe. Bugger what people think, look after number one and get a horse that wants to operate for you.
 
You mustn't worry about people thinking you are feeble - you are being sensible.
I have been in exactly the same position but with dealer who was not at all keen to have horse back. He did eventually and we have got an absolute sweetie in exchange. Very green and not what we were originally looking for but safe (as safe as horses can be). It is a huge weight off my mind to know that this horse's automatic default reaction is not to head skywards. Trust is everything.
 
When I read you first post, I was going to say things can be done to improve horses that rear as a "get out clause"... I had a horse as a project who was a habitual rearer, but gave up when he realised him rearing = more work, and it did break the habit... another horse that I know that reared got pulled over doing it (with the jockey on the floor and a lunge line, he was blooming quick and a very talented jockey) and the horse never did it again... it is that sort of thing that may stop it...

However, after reading your second post of how little you can do with him before he does it, I would have him back to the dealer asap!!
 
I learnt to sit ! She does it to scare me and is in complete control of herself ! I've only come out the back door twice in 2 years once in the show ring with a wet slippy saddle and no martingale/mane to save me and once when she knocked me out with her neck !

If I am honest had I had the oppertunity to change her for something safer I would have sent her back - 6 years on tho it's unlikely lol + I love her now

Do it before its to late !!
 
[ QUOTE ]
When I read you first post, I was going to say things can be done to improve horses that rear as a "get out clause"... I had a horse as a project who was a habitual rearer, but gave up when he realised him rearing = more work, and it did break the habit... another horse that I know that reared got pulled over doing it (with the jockey on the floor and a lunge line, he was blooming quick and a very talented jockey) and the horse never did it again... it is that sort of thing that may stop it...

However, after reading your second post of how little you can do with him before he does it, I would have him back to the dealer asap!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think going over backwards would stop him - I think he would just add it to his repetoire! Its almost as if he has learned that half rears or bucks or spins don't get rid of me, so rearing has quickly become his next step. No doubt all these tricks worked with the previous owner, who did very little with him. Probably combined with having rather sharp teeth. And of course rearing does'nt make me fall off either so the next step is to go that bit higher and overbalance...

Such a shame, after his massive rearing fit at the show I unwisely took him to at the weekend (only 5 in a row!), he got 4 faults in the Discovery. He was so pleased with himself afterwards! Ears pricked, absolute angel to load and unload at the other end instead of messing about as he was doing before. This rearing tantrum occurred after being ridden for over an hour to tire him out too!

I am not going to let myself to be tempted to persevere. I feel I am making some progress with the shoulders-in and light pressure riding, and it could be just a phase he has to work through, but it just takes a change in the shade cast across the school to make this horse rear, and I really don't fancy being smashed up! I heed the warnings above!
 
If there is no physical problem, I'd probably shoot it. Life is too short for idiotic animals, with no sense of their own safety.

Or if previous owner is willing, send it back. I wouldn't pass it on.
 
I have one who reared , literally, the entire time as a 3 and 4 year old - shes banged her head a million times in the stable, gone over backwards, - her motto seemed to be if in doubt, rear.
it was done out of sheer panic though, shes super highly strung.
we tried everything, even sending it to someone else, but the only way was one-on-one attention - and not from a bloke (she ahtes men!). so for 2 years i have done everything with her, even tho i wasnt keen to start with and went at snails pace, we got there!!
now shes still very sharp but doesnt rear (touch wood!), but im so glad i persisted as shes a genuinely lovely horse and sooooo talented and now will do absolutley anything for me even if i ask the impossible. which in the ring when i miss is very valuable!
i also would have hated to have sold her and endangered someone who wasnt up for the challenge or let her get into the wrong hands.

anyway, just a cheery story after all those 'shoot the rearer' posts!

but, your rearer sounds a bit more sinister. so if the guy is willing to take it back, i probably would swap it.
 
If you don't think going over backwards would solve it, I'd be rid very very quickly!

What I always say to people who have rearers... if they have gone over backwards, and continue to do it, they have no self preservation, and thats the only thing that keeps us safe on horses, their self preservation not to damage themselves. there is no way to repair these horses....
frown.gif
 
Get rid. Don't put a shed load of extra cash and heartache in when you stand to lose so much - your confidence and your health. This is supposed to be fun - whilst a challenging horse suits some more than others, there are some challenges just not worth it when you can exchange.
 
you will nnot believe the load of your shoulders when its gone. Yes, there'll be pangs of regret, but I would bet the next (if there is) owner will have the same problems.
 
I had a horse that turned out to be a rearer.....not vertical, but high enough to scare me....plus spinning around and rearing on hacks. he reared up whilst tied up outside his stable when another horse went past....most impressive
frown.gif


It got to the point where I didnt want to ride him, dreaded it in fact....

He went back to the dealer....I owed it to my OH, ,my kids and myself to come back safely from riding.
 
How long is the offer of exchange open for? Reason for asking, if you like him so much would it be worth sending him to a Richard Maxwell type person before sending him back?
 
In answer to the various questions - no, I didn't buy him knowing he was a rearer. It was a surprise to the dealer too because he sold him two years previously. He wasn't a really expensive horse or anything. It was always said I could part exchange him any time but I think much longer than I've had him now for a straight swap would be pushing it. I've had him a month. I don't think I like him enough to spend a lot of money on him (and I've already spent quite a bit with back, teeth and saddle). I bought him to go out jumping on reasonably quickly and bearing in mind he's 10 now he's probably not worth it. Am also in Scotland and any ongoing work would have to be done by myself and I think it would be too easy with this horse to end up doing everything so as not to upset him and nothing which you as the rider and owner would really like to be doing!

I really don't like the rearing but in the back of my mind I was thinking I was giving up a bit easily but I feel reassured now that I'm not. I don't mind working on and schooling a horse at all, in fact I like it, but I don't really want to be saddled with a problem horse. I actually agree with the people above who say they would put down if they couldn't exchange. My friend says never, he could be a companion, but the temptation of a new owner to ride him would be too great to resist, as he is so good to handle. And I really wouldn't like to see anyone else riding him because I would feel awful if they got injured. I think going back to the dealer is the best I can do for this horse in the circumstances.

My instincts are telling me to be careful though I'm not really scared to ride him or anything, but I think I should listen to them.
 
It's a same when they have what I call 'special needs' because quite often they keep getting passed on to different people. Must admit I certainly wouldn't be happy with a rearer. Hope your next horse is suitable for you to go out and compete jumping
smile.gif


Be interested in hearing how you get on
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If there is no physical problem, I'd probably shoot it. Life is too short for idiotic animals, with no sense of their own safety.



[/ QUOTE ]

Well said

[/ QUOTE ]

shocked.gif

Would you be so keen to dispose of idiotic people?
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If there is no physical problem, I'd probably shoot it. Life is too short for idiotic animals, with no sense of their own safety.



[/ QUOTE ]

Well said

[/ QUOTE ]

shocked.gif

Would you be so keen to dispose of idiotic people?

[/ QUOTE ]

if they were directly threatening my life then yes!
crazy.gif
for example...take someone who goes to the pub, drinks 12 pints of strong cider., smokes a joint or two and then drives home and runs someone over because their reactions are slow. this to me is an idiotic person who is, to be quite frank, a danger to both themselves AND other innocent people...and i think a waste of oxygen...sorry if my opinion offends by hey ho!
crazy.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If there is no physical problem, I'd probably shoot it. Life is too short for idiotic animals, with no sense of their own safety.



[/ QUOTE ]

Well said

[/ QUOTE ]

shocked.gif

Would you be so keen to dispose of idiotic people?

[/ QUOTE ]

but the poster is an experienced rider. What if it ends up in the hands of someone who can't handle it, who pushes it too far, or doesn't know it's a rearer and it comes over on them and kills them?
Life IS too short for that. I will NEVER get on a horse that I know is a rearer, for the same reason I wear a hat if turning a wound up horse out, and the same reason I wear a seatbelt when driving. My own safety, and the horses is far more important than "saving a horse" from being PTS.
Sometimes, people would be better to consider PTS, especially with the credit crunch and all the unwanted animals around. I would always PTS, if I couldn't guarantee a home for life in some circumstances
Maybe you would like the horse?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top