Youngster question.

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

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As some of you may be aware of, I have a nf type yearling filly. She is very good in most ways, will catch, lead tie up, pick feet up ect.. I have led her out and she has seen traffic and even walked past a crop sprayer and a hedge cutter without batting an eye lid :D
BUT, when she plays in the field, (and sometimes when she is being slightly madamtastic on the lead!) she appears to like the idea of standing on her hind tippy toes showing off her belly button! Part of me assumes it is just play, and trying it on. If she does it on the lead, I growl at her, and she soon stops, but it is her thing at play time.
Should I be worried that, as a future PC pony rearing is forbidden and if she does it now, when she is bigger and stronger it will be 10x worse? OR is it just a youngster thing and she will grow out of it?
 
My young gelding does the same (he's 16hh though!) and its only when he's excited, like when we first get to a show. He's rising 3 so I put it down to high spirits, hoping he'll grow out of it! He does it less now than he did when I first got him, and not for as long. x
 
My old pony used to do this, but he grew out of it and never reared while being ridden, he would go like a nutter in the field, but as soon as someone was on his back, he was an angel, and as far as I know, he still is :)
 
My youngster did this when between the age of 1 and 2 years old. I used a chain over her nose to discurage her from doing it and once i broke the habit she stopped doing it. She is now 2 and 5 months and hasnt done it for the last 4/5months nor has the thort crossed her mind since. I think your filly will grow out of it, its good that she resopnds to you growling at her.
 
If you look through my old posts, Puzzle used to think this was HILARIOUS last year (when she was nearly 2), reared in hand/in the school/in the field. As soon as I've asked her for any proper work, and as she's grown up more, she's stopped almost completely. She does rear as her default when she's totally panicked, but I've just started backing her and she's made no attempt to go up.

I found a Be Nice headcollar to be an absolute godsend. xx
 
This is totally normal. Allow the horse to be a toddler in the field, as long as you are clear that once the headcollar goes on you are the one in charge you should have no problems. You wouldn't expect a child that is starting school to work and concentrate for long periods without healthy play and running around in the playground!
 
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