How to stop rearing?

[jessie123]

How do you stop a horse from rearing when they have just started to do it?
I have heard about tapping them between the ears when they go up but this seems a bit brutal :eek:
Are there any other ways? :)

[berties-girl]

Im not sure of any other ways, but sometimes you have to be a bit brutal, rearing is a dangerous habbit and the more they get away with it the more they will do it to get out of doing something they dont fancy, bit like a temper tantrum, by tapping them on the head or even smashing an egg on their head makes them think they have hit something going up and usually firghtens them into not doing it again. Also kicking them on and keeping them going forward can help as they have to stop to rear.

[jessie123]

But doesn't the tapping on the head lead to being head shy?

[baxter]

before you try to cure the rearing, please try and ascertain what has caused your horse to rear, before resorting to what i believe are old fashioned methods of klonking then between the ears!

[Trewsers]

Hmm, can't offer any advice - but as for cracking an egg on their head - well, come on guys, how on earth............ I mean, what are you meant to do, carry a supply of eggs around with you????! Are you meant to crack one on their head when you're on their back or on the ground????! Also, why is tapping them on their head brutal - I wasn't aware that tapping inflicted any pain? or is that a euphanism (spelt wrongly :p ) for smacking???? Just wondering..... :D

[jessie123]

He's rearing because he doesn't want to do something, e.g. wanting to go back to the field because his buddies are there, fed up with schooling etc.
He's not in pain, tack fits etc, he's being stubborn and throwing a paddy because he doesn't want to do what he's being asked to do :mad:

[baxter]

ok sounds like he's napping and being naughty, so long as physical pain is ruled out, i've been thoruhg same situation as you so you're not alone, you need to gage the exact time he starts to stop/back up/tense etc, and drive him forward with your seat and legs, he cannot rear when in motion, although mine does try! :rolleyes: but if you are sending forward you shouldn't reach that moment when he can put in a rear.... tricky and difficult to overcome but not impossible, a good trainer will help. good luck and stay safe.

[mad mare1]

If he does go up, keep your weight down, lean forward, and take a short contact, and I mean short!! Literally pull his head around till it is almost touching your boot, and as soon as his feet are on the ground, boot him forwards, this has worked on three horses that have reared with me, and none of them rear to this day!! Just keep doing it, and he will get the message, eventually, and I know it sounds nasty, but it works, and is better than some other methods of stopping him rearing!!

[tasha]

I'd be careful with the short contact - this can cause the horse to go higher to get away from it, which can lead to them falling over backwards.

Ive heard of people that have had success with tapping them between the ears, but I dont know the modern view of this practice to be able to comment on it.

[Gabrielle]

You can usually tell when the horse is thinking about getting back to home before he actually starts rearing, as per a ocuple of our youngsters. One is in the process of being ridden out of it as we speak!

I find that generally, rearing when napping is normal for a young horse. We tend to try to quieten them down and "ride through it". Basically just carry on and keep calm and you should then be able to reinforce the security your horse has with you after a short while. Our horse at the moment hasn't reared to two days (Yay!) but has truied to stop and bends his neck the way he doesn't want to go but we are persevering with him and it seems to be working - Only been concentrating for two weeks so quite happy with the progress. Please DO NOT get angry with him but keep firm.

[eventerbabe]

when i was younger i used to help out with some race horses and point to pointers that were looked after by friends of my grandparents. they told me that their old boss once shocked a horse out of rearing by giving it a short, sharp slap between the ears with a crop when it went up. i'm sure there are other ways of stopping it though.
He's not in pain, tack fits etc, he's being stubborn and throwing a paddy because he doesn't want to do what he's being asked to do
Boy do i know that feeling!! my horse has similar tantrums but we get bucks, not rears. i'd be inclined to just try and keep him moving and not give him the chance to go up.

[helenc]

Hitting the horse between the ears is a rather outdated method although it does work with some horses.

Echo baxter - you need to work out why he is rearing - you say it is because he doesn't want to do something but WHY doesn't he want to do it? Is he uncomfortable with what you are asking for? Is he in pain? Is he nervous about anything? Has he had any bad experiences? You say he has just started, there must have been a trigger - horses don't just start rearing for no reason - has his routine changed? Have you changed his feed? Any of his tack?

Also echo Tasha - taking a short contact isn't a very good idea, all it takes is for him or you to end up slightly off balance & you'll pull him over which is a very frightening experience for both horse & rider.

[jessie123]

[QUOTE=helenc]
Echo baxter - you need to work out why he is rearing - you say it is because he doesn't want to do something but WHY doesn't he want to do it? Is he uncomfortable with what you are asking for? Is he in pain? Is he nervous about anything? Has he had any bad experiences?


No he's just a lazy little GIT!!! :rolleyes:
Seriously though, it's strange, we've been schooling him and since he's shown talent he's also shown arrogance, he's like a kid stamping his feet to get his own way and when that doesn't work he throws in a rear, it just all depends on the mood of him, most of the time he's good as gold with everything it's just now and again he does this and I don't want it to become habit.

[helenc]

Sounds like he is finding all this schooling a bit difficult - could be both mentally & physically - I think the best thing you can do is to ignore it, just ride through it & give him lots of praise when he does something good.

Does he rear at any other time apart from schooling?

Is he getting plenty of other stimulating riding - lots of hacking & some jumping?

[Wally]

okay stop asking him to do things he doesn't want to do! I know it sounds simplistic but it can work.

Heather Moffett had a horse who would rear so badly he was about to be PTS. Heather put aside a lot of time when she rode him and when he threatenend to rear she just sat there until he got bored, she stopped asking him forward and waited until he offered to go forward then rewarded him. Get her book "Enlightened Equitation" there is a full run down on how Buster (I think he was called) changed from a dangerous rearer into a perfect schoolmaster.

you need to think laterally on rearers.

[TWH Addict]

My old dales mare who to me was a bit of a plod would rear when anyone else got on her.. Dont know why, till my niece ashley got on her and she reared, ashley just slapped her on the head between the ears and she was fine, bit of gentle discipline never goes amiss..

[buffy_vampire]

My uncle had a horse who did that and he brought a water ballon with him and when he reared he smashed it on his head, :eek: and i asked him why he did it and he said it feels like they hit their head and there is blood running down their face and the horse never reared again. :eek:

I thought that was truly amazing. lol. i mean he said it might sound harsh but its not harsh at all he said.

Just thought it was neat.

[raggydoll]

Ive never actually experienced it but have been told two methods

1. Do nothing (other than try to stay on!). Stay quietly on the horse and stay as calm as possible and the second they come back down really ride them on. I think the idea is that they think well that was a lot of effort with no real effect ill not bother next time. Or again that the rider is sticking with them no matter what so they feel more secure.

2. The water thing. A friend of mines horse started rearing when she came back of loan, she did it for 10 years on and off and she tried all sorts with her. One day she happened to have a bottle of water with her and emptied it over her head and she has never reared since (6 months ago). She did say tho that it took all the practice she had to be able to concentrate on staying on, balancing and having the coordination and focus to do that!

[Yann]

If it's only just started you need to look at what has triggered it. Maybe he is just being lazy and rebellious, but on the other hand you might be asking too much of him too soon, or insisting when he doesn't understand what you're asking for. If it's something along those lines addressing the cause rather than the symptoms will make things better long term.

[Cheeky]

Hmm ...

When working him (schooling), make sure he has clear signals and knows its time to work. Obvious, but true.


Ok ... if he does rear up, try this method:

You should be able to tell when he will rear - he will slow down a bit, muscles tense, usually deep breathing ... then up! If you can catch him starting to 'position' himself (or prepare) to rear ... take action now! Push forwards, keep him and yourself calm. Do not let that horse stop! Keep him at the same speed, same contact, same direction and ease his mind. Reward him when he moves on, let him know that he did well.

If you cant, and he rears up follow this: when his front feet go up, so does your butt! Let him know that your not going anywhere ... stand up in the stirrups, keep the SAME contact in the reins, lean forwards to make him feel uncomfortable and unbalanced to carry his front end up, and pull GENTLEY (gawd damn be gentle) downwards (yes, towards the floor) with the reins - you should be able to do this because your prob leaning against his neck and can reach to pull his head down - this will get him down. As soon as all four 'paws' hit the ground ... go! Nudge him forwards, even if he is bucking and kicking and carrying a fuss - ride him forwards. Do not alow him to stop yet, keep him going, and keep the pace. Ride his "bumpy grumpy" stride until he settles ... then ride a few more strides then you may ask for a hault.

-few- ... Ok, reasoning: If you stop him straight after a rear - thats his reward, and he think that he can get away with it again. By pushing forwards and making him work a little extra (even through the bumpy ride) THEN stopping will tell him 'if you muck up, I will make you work'.

I hope that makes sense ... oh and I wouldnt bother about cracking eggs on his head, or nething like that. Just do what feels natural :) Good luck

[manfa1]

your horse is being nappy and you need to put your foot down, if you know you are coming up to a spot where he is likely to do it try trotting him, keeping him forwards may help and keep your leg on try to have as little rein contact as possible but make sure you are ready incase he tries to turn around, when he rears up give himm his head so you dont pul him higher and kick him forwards, i mean really kick him forwards and use a very strong loud voice with him. if this doesnt work. try checking his back and teeth although in your situation its sounds more like plain nappiness, good luck

[99gyates]

Hey I am not very expereienced and have never tried this myself but the people on my yard swear by this... When the horse rears try to have someone close by on guard so that when the horse goes up they can slap it on its chest or beneath its front legs or try your best to smack it yourself which perhaps is not the best idea!!. My friends horse was rearing and another lady on the yard were standing by and slapped the horse right between its legs/chest area. The horse has not reared since. Apparently or so I have been told that when they are up in the air they do not pay much attention to whats below them not looking out for danger etc so to get a slap in the chest is like being attacked in the wild and they are up so they can not defend themselves therefore the slap is supposed to put them off rearing.

What do others think?

[**Krista**]

Hey I am not very expereienced and have never tried this myself but the people on my yard swear by this... When the horse rears try to have someone close by on guard so that when the horse goes up they can slap it on its chest or beneath its front legs or try your best to smack it yourself which perhaps is not the best idea!!. My friends horse was rearing and another lady on the yard were standing by and slapped the horse right between its legs/chest area. The horse has not reared since. Apparently or so I have been told that when they are up in the air they do not pay much attention to whats below them not looking out for danger etc so to get a slap in the chest is like being attacked in the wild and they are up so they can not defend themselves therefore the slap is supposed to put them off rearing.

What do others think?

To be honest i think this is unbelievably dangerous and should never be recommended. My horse can rear occassionally IF he is being asked fo something he doesn't really understand or if he gets confused or stressed. He has got much better now and hasn't reared for a long time *touch wood*. He is different from a habitual rearer because he doesnt do it all the time. I have found that by sitting quietly when he rears and riding him on strongly afterwards has worked wonders. And also reassuring him when he's in a new or stressful situation

[99gyates]

Lol point taken, Never tried it myself but it really did work the woman who slapped the horse did it from the side not directly infront and it was such a quick reaction from her just her instinct and everyone on the yard was impressed although it could have been dangerous it wasn't cause it was gut reaction. to attempt it from the front would be stupid or on board even but then again I have known someone who has tapped his crop under the chest whilst on board and its been successful. Lol if my horse ever rears i think I will try to slide off gracefully into some grass.

[jessie123]

Thankyou everybody for all your advice I shall pass it on :)
The last time he reared was when he was just going on a hack and the path forked off, he wanted to go down one path but was being asked to take the opposite, he didn't like being told where he had to go so he cemented his feet and refused to move, when asked again to move forward he stamped his feet still refusing to move then when asked yet again he reared :o :eek:
All because HE wanted to go and explore the other path, he'd never been in the area before and has never shown any confidence problem when he's out in places he's never been, if anything he loves going to new places for a change of scenery, he's seems to be acting like a spoilt little brat :mad:

[Just.Jump]

First off, I don't advise you even do anything while the horse is in the air other than sit on it's back. Horses rear to show that their fighting- do you step in between fighting horses? I know it's not the same, but DO NOT INTERFERE! If these are low rears, lower your hands down to either side of the withers (thats how low you need to be to send a perfectly clear message with no confusion) and try to get the horse down. If these are high rears, don't even think about smacking your horse in the head or cracking something down on him. If you've noticed that a horse jerks his head up when you hit him anywhere, what is that going to do when he's already up in the air? All horses react differently, but don't scare/anger the animal any more than it already is unless you'd like to test it's ability to flip over.

When you feel the rear coming on, or you know the horse won't like what your asking, get serious vertical flexion and lowering of the head. Horses can't rear with their heads down.


Edited to add: "beating" your horse into submission is hardly an answer to a question or how to solve a problem. I know that you all don't mean it in an abusive way (I should hope) but when your scared, angry, or argumentative, do your parents come up behind you and give you a nice firm smack in the head or the legs, or whatever other places you guys seem to be advising? No! While you're trying to teach the horse a lesson, you shouldn't be trying to associate a rider with violence. It's like getting a horse that likes to tug on the bit, so the rider puts it in some monster bit and a flash noseband and then thinks everything is okay because they've made it so the horse can't react like they please. I don't even like the use of a crop on most days, but hitting them in the head, chest, and belly? Thats obsurd in my book. :mad:

[ponylover88]

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[helenc]

hmm, can i just say, you can NEVER cure a rearer. once they know they can do it, they will do it.
ive seen someone else posting on here, not sure who though, and theyre horse reared up for no reason and has become a rearer ever since...same goes for mine.
i couldnt cope and so we had to sell.

I do agree that you can never say a horse is 'cured' of rearing but you can aleviate it by getting to the cause of the problem.

My horse went through a stage of frequent rearing but with patience & hard work he now hasn't reared for 11 months. I am sure that something will happen in the future & he will rear again at some point but for now I am happy that he isn't standing up on his back legs every time things get tricky