Stopping Rearing Before it Starts?

[Rarah]

I wonder if any of you can offer me some advice.

My share horse has not been on a proper hack for months.

We had a bolting incident, in November, I was injured for about 6 weeks so couldn't take him out, took him out after that and he ran off with me again. I didn't feel that this was a true bolt - he was just keen to get onto the grass and have a canter. When I wouldn't let him have his way, he bounced a few times and I thought he was going to rear, but I managed to keep control.

Since then, I've found a new instructor, started lessons and have been concentrating on schooling, and things have been great.

If I've taken Monac out of the school, it's only been 10-15 mins roadwork.

Yesterday Monac's owner tried to take him for his first decent hack (she dosn't ride him often due to a back injury), and as soon as she got near the bridletrack he was trying to take off and canter again, when she tried to stop him he reared twice (I think she said this was on the main road before she actually got to the bridle path).

So...... his owner has suggested that when I get close to the bridle path, I dismount and make him walk part of the track before getting on, BUT how should I deal with a rear? She says she gave him a smack for his behavour (and got shouted at by a passer by!), - would a smack wind him up more?

I'm hoping that when he's had a few good hacks he will start to behave. He just wants to get out and have some fun I think, but he has to learn also that he can't just do what he wants. Any I certainly want to nip any rearing in the bud.

Any advice appreciated.

[No_Angel]

my horse rears, most of the time i can tell shes going to do it, so i kick her on, or turn her in a circle, but sometimes she just goes up and you cant tell.
i always get shouted at to get off when she rears (she does it quite alot:rolleyes: ) but i feel safer on her, last time she reared with me on the ground she towered above me and faced me, she also hit my on my shoulder with her hoof (not god, broken collarbone on that side).
aslong as the rears arent huge and vertical, you just lean forward when he goes up and push reins forward, for vertical rears i would hold onto the neck when hes up, thats what i do anyway, but my girl tends to do vertical rears.
circles work very well, i tried that for a while and it stopped her, but then she learnt to do it without letting me know

[PaulaqhMax]

I had a rearer when I was younger and I did the small circle too.My RI told me as they go up immediately turn him/her into a small circle, thus taking his/her mind off it. Igot used to slipping my feet out of the stirrups (sp?) so if he went too far I would slid off the back/ side out of the way. And I always felt safer on top than on the ground. Try taking him/her on a different route so he/she doesn't get used to rearing in that spot.
Good luck.
Paula

[KateWooten]

'circling' is the key here. The horse will give you some indication that it has stopped going forward, raised it's head and is unhappy. I personally have never seen a horse go from placid and forward to standing about waving its arms in the air in one movement without warning. Be alert for the signs, and then if you can, IMMEDIATELY put the horse to work. Everything you've ever worked on to get her attention back on you - circles, serpentines, move the hind-end over in complete circles, move the forehand over in complete circles, back, stop, forward etc etc.

I would stop riding the horse out on the road if possible, until you've given yourself and the horse, a lot of time to practice in a safe area. Practice looking out for her signs, practice getting her attention quick. Rearing steps in when the 'go forward' cue is not adequate. It may be inadequate because the horse doesn't know how to go forward (unlikely), or because fear or uncertainty overrides the horse's willingness to go forward. By immediately moving her feet, you are getting her attention back on you - and off the scary, or the 'don't want to ' situation. It also puts you back in the leadership position - think of the boss mare in a herd - she is clearly the boss, she's the one who makes the others move their feet.

btw, my adorable filly Rosie, was big into rearing. She can stand about for (what seems like) hours almost vertical. Now, she only does this out in the field playing, but last year it was her preferred way of trying not to go forward. Moving her feet has cured this for her - plus a little understanding - she simply wasn't ready for the ride down a middling hill - her balance wasn't up to it, and she had no real way to tell me this. I totally agree about slipping your feet out of the stirrups. I do this whenever I feel I might be getting into trouble. If you do get into a reariing situation, get your weight as far forward as possible, particularly throw your hands high and forward - rein pressure at that point can be enough to bring the horse over backwards. Get out of the stirrups and if the horse is all in a panic, let everything go and slide off the back end.