I know there aren't many people here yet but maybe someone can help. I posted all over the internet about this because it scares me and I really need help. I have a 6 year old Quarter horse gelding that I bought a few months ago. He's such a great horse but from time to time he wants to rear. It seems like he mostly does this when he is being asked to go somewhere on the trail he dosen't want to go. He'll jump around on his front hooves then rear. Any ideas because I really like this horse but need him to be safe.

Thanks in advance,

Kay

Well, not knowing how well you can ride, but there are a few things you can try. You said he starts dancing before he rears. From that statement it seems that you can tell well in advance that he's about to rear, that's good. What I would try first is as soon as you're aware that he may rear, keep his feet moving preferably forward or in circles, serpentines, etc. but try and avoid moving rearward. Keep his feet moving until he forgets about rearing. You can also try carrying a crop with you and the moment his feet leave the ground to rear, give him a tap between the ears. He will think he hit something and he will come back on all fours. Another idea is to break an egg or water balloon between his ears at the moment his feet leave the ground. He will again think he's hit something and that he's bleeding. He may bolt a few steps with this method but I've found this usually cures the rearing pretty quickly. You need to have a fairly good seat to do these things, so hopefully, you do.

Good luck and let us know how you make out!

I have heard about the egg thing but didn't know if it really worked or why it might work. Thanks for the tips. I've been riding for a few years now, I think I have a pretty good seat so I'll definitely try them and let you know what happens. Thanks again!!!

Kay

Ok, I rode today and thought I'd try the egg method, seemed like it would take less pressure to actually break the egg than it would a water ballon. The first trick is trying to find a place to put the egg so you can get to it fast but also so it won't break while you are riding and waiting for the horse to rear. The only thing I could come up with was wearing my windbreaker and putting the egg in the side pocket. Well, it was 86 degrees today and I was hot. About an hour into my ride I decided to take my horse down a trail, I guess he thought we rode enough and started acting up. He as I thought he would, reared. I had the egg all ready and as soon as his front feet came off the ground I smashed the egg on his head. He came right back down on his feet and stood there looking around tossing his head. Make a long story short, we went down the trail then home. I sure hope this is a long term fix and thanks a lot for your input!!!!

Kay

EQ1 gave some good tips. Another thing you can try is when the horse rears, hold the rein pressure on and keep the reins low. Don't pull back high or hard on the reins or the horse may go over backwards, not a pretty sight at any time. As soon as the horse comes back on all 4's, release the rein pressure and heal him right into a canter (if space permits). He'll learn that pressure on his mouth and being made to run off when he's back down isn't worth the work that accompanies rearing. Your timing and pressure need to be pretty exact for this to work out.

Thanks for that tip Stan. I used one of eq1's methods and it seems to have worked.

Kay

Hi Kay, glad to see you're making progess!

Well, if you listen to Perelli, he'll tell you that there are 2 reasons a horse rears, 1 he's afraid, and 2 your holding him back so he goes in the only direction he can, up. I offer a third, he's smart enough to know that rearing may get him out of work, a trail ride, or get him back to his buds. I have a big ol gelding that is a perfect gentleman until the day I want to ride and he's not in the mood. He'll start dancing and rearing right after I get on him and q him off. He's not afraid and I'm not holding him back, he is just telling me "not today ol boy". Thankfully, I'm not really afraid of a rearing horse (maybe I'm just a little nuts) and I'll ride him through it until he stops on his own. This usually happens when he realizes that we "are" going to ride and he's got no real say in the matter.

Just my 2 cents on the subject.

You are a LITTLE nuts! when my horse (used to) rears, it scares the crap outta me!

Kay