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Discussion on Rearing warmblood | |
Author | Message |
Member: Kiwi |
Posted on Sunday, Jan 23, 2005 - 8:08 am: My 4 year old warmblood had developed a habit of stopping, turning left, then rearing. He does this when he has to work. I tried the one rein turn to disengage his hind end but somehow he is quick to get off the ground before I can circle him. I manage to stay on him with his temper tantrum but after a while, he gets so upset and goes up so much that I have to get off and lead him to the ring to work for a bit, then he is fine going home. I guess he started this habit when I let a timid rider (my fault!) ride him for about six months where it started as balking and ended up as rearing. She is now scared to ride him and I am leary of him but willing to work with him. Is it the wrong thing to lead him to a ring when he starts these fits or should I try to wait it out. Any kind of beating (whip or spur) aggrevates the situation so I need to outsmart this horse. I heard several solutions to even selling him because he is "dangerous". I think he can be salvaged but I need to do it now before it becomes chronic. |
Member: Kthorse |
Posted on Sunday, Jan 23, 2005 - 8:55 am: hi, Wow rearing is one of the most dangerous habits. If not stopped now this horse will be dangerous. I would get an experienced trainer imediently to see if they can stop the behaviour before he learns to do it all the time. There are different types of rearing the worst is when they do it to get out of work. My sisters little pony used to rear at the start of a barrel race or gymkana races. His was out of excitment and was cute to us kids. It was never done to evade anything.I have heard many solutions , but need a very experienced person to time the correction during the rear,never having tried them myself so cannot recomend them. If you are very experienced and fast at reading your horse. And you can stop the behaviour before it happens you have a good chance as he is only four. All I can think of is to watch him so closly that when he is thinking of rearing before he does get his mind on something else. Anything else. Backing up would be a good one I hope someone can give you good advice and I wish you lots of luck. I dont advise waiting it out as it gives him too much time to think. He should be only thinking of you and what you want him to do. Best of luck. I hope you find a solution. If you do please post it. Katrina |
Member: Hwood |
Posted on Sunday, Jan 23, 2005 - 10:41 am: Kiwi,Your idea of disengaging the hind end is good, but your technique may be timed too slowly? Katrina is correct in that the rider has to read the horse correctly and intercept the action before it starts, AND the rider has to keep forward movement to get the horse out of the "stop and rear" frame of mind. If the horse is going forward, the chances of him rearing are greatly reduced. I hesitate to second Katrina's idea of backing the horse, as I had a mare who evaded work or obstacles by flying backward several yards and then rearing. As soon as that mare hesitated at all . . . If her head and ears perked up and I felt a check in her forward movement, I would fold her up with one rein back to my hip and thump her sides while giving angry sounding "ahch, ahch, ahch!" sounds followed by my verbal cue for forward. It would surprise the bejeepers out of her, and she'd circle, DrOp her head and we would immediately head out of the circle in the direction we had been moving before. You MUST hold the rein securely and not give back to the horse at all until he begins to move forward on the circle. Any give on your part will be interpreted as a reward for the horse's pulling behavior. It has been my experience, that if I have any doubt inside about how to do something, it will come through my body as a weakness, and the horse will sense it and continue fighting. Be safe. Holly |
Member: Kckohles |
Posted on Sunday, Jan 23, 2005 - 10:22 pm: Hi Kiwi,The first thing you want to know is why the horse is rearing and to get out of work doesn't really seem like the reason. I believe that horses are more straight forward than that. The first place I always look is to the physical, is the horse in physical pain. This is the most common reason for behavior trouble. I would approach the issue more from a place of trying to understand why, than from a place of needing to show this horse who's boss. Don't get me wrong this behavior is something that you definitely want to stop, and I will say that rearing is my least favorite behavior out of everything else. I would take the pressure off take the horse to the arena and then out, so that everytime it isn't a bunch of work. I would do a lot of resting at the arena. Arenas make zero sense to horses, to run around in a circle and stop and canter and all that seems like a waste of time and energy to them. So make sure that the arena isn't always work. To deal directly with the behavior you need better control of the hindquarters. You want to be able to move the hindquarters with your leg at any time. You don't need to double the horse in two everytime, but you do need control of the hindend to stay safe. So in the arena I would work on using the rein to control the forehand from moving forward and your leg to move the hindquarters. Start with one step and then work up to half a turn on the forehand so that when you feel your horse prepare to rear you can just move the hindquarters. Rearing is usually to avoid going forward so don't push the horse to go forward. You could ride your horse in an "S" trail before there is any trouble keeping each turn round and soft this way your horse is already partially bent and then if you feel trouble reach down and use your rein to bend. Your horse needs to be stiff to rear so keeping the spine in a bend makes it more difficult to rear. Make sure you aren't preparing for the rearing because your horse won't disappoint you, ride right on like everything will be fine and be intentional in going somewhere. Don't ride along just waiting for the rearing. Okay, I just re-read your post and thought of something else. This seems like a learned behavior. My guess would be that the more timid rider might have caused this by grabbing your horse in the mouth when it spun causing it to rear up out of pain. Because most horses that spin then bolt but the other ride might have made the bolting too painful so he reared instead. So a couple ways you might be able to help this is by first not taking a hold of your horse as he spins and then take him through the spin yourself. If you could get him bolting rather than rearing you would be able to help him with that much easier. So give him somewhere to go. If his feet are moving you can direct them but you have to get him moving his feet again. Got to run, but I'm interested to hear what happens. KIM |
Member: Aannk |
Posted on Monday, Jan 24, 2005 - 10:20 am: Kiwi,My WB used to rear, for the same reason. We are STILL working on the forward, and it is 4 years later. He has not reared since we found his "cure". We just smacked him on the belly whenever he reared. You have to have another person to do it, and a dressage whip. Not too elegant, but he stopped. Went on to different methods of balking. I think the other advice is good too, but for a quick cure to this particular form of evasion of forward, which is the most dangerous as far as I am concerned, we chose the quick fix. Alicia |
Member: Green007 |
Posted on Monday, Jan 24, 2005 - 10:48 am: We used a ground person to solve this problem with a young warmblood mare. I would ride her and have someone on the ground armed and at the ready with a lunge whip. This person would chase her forward if she wouldn't go. While this was happening, I would firmly ask her to move forward with my legs and seat. This combined effort always got her "unstuck," but it does take lot of coordination as I wouldn't ride her without ground people for several months. As long as we were trying to solve the problem, I had a ground person at the ready as I didn't want to put myself in a position where I couldn't ride her through it.We also went on group trail rides sometimes, as she was much more willing to go forward if she had an equine pal and wasn't always excpected to do boring ring work. Sometimes she still tries to do it, but she rides through it without a ground person now. This must be a warmblood mare thing! I think they go through these testing phases in their younger days, and you just have to nip it in the bud as soon as you can, the best you can, before it becomes a permanent habit. |
Member: Kckohles |
Posted on Monday, Jan 24, 2005 - 12:18 pm: Kiwi,The only reason to know the past is so that you don't repeat it. Another thought I had reading these other posts is something that Ray Hunt has said when people say their horses won't go. He would smile and say "take the bridle off and that horse will go." What that meant to me was that people are to afraid for their horse to go. They only want them to go the way they want them to go, not to fast, not like that, not over there. So in other words too much in their horses face with the reins. People ride young horses like they are just any other horse that has had time to learn and one of the biggest mistakes I see people make is they don't allow the horse to learn to go before they start pulling on the reins. And I don't mean go with lots of rein pressure I mean go with none! On a free rein (no contact at all) up from the walk to the trot and then down and then up to the trot up to the canter and down. To much rein pressure will cause a young horse to rear really quickly. Imagine it from their perspective, they feel pressure in their sides to go forward and the minute they go forward they feel pressure on their mouth to stop (yes I know it is supposedsly to collect them) but where can they win? Where is the comfort? KIM |
Member: Green007 |
Posted on Monday, Jan 24, 2005 - 12:35 pm: I agree with Kim for the most part, but know first hand that it is not always rider error tht is the case but can be a poor "work ethic" on the horse's part. I know that in my personal experience, the reins weren't the problem. The reins were hardly ever touched in order to encourage her to go forward. She just didn't want to do it. Some horses are just naturally "behind the leg" right from the start, even when leading. If your horse is this way, groundwork is a great (and safe) place to start.The USDF has an awesome horse handling video that is meant for showing in hand but is quite useful even if you never show in hand. If you follow their recommended steps to better handling from the ground, and can get them "unstuck" there, and then transfer those skills to your work under saddle. As other posters have noted, you must always check for pain, poor tack fit and rider error first and foremost. If there are no causes of physical pain, get a very good rider on board and follow through with practice, practice, practice. |
Member: Liliana |
Posted on Monday, Jan 24, 2005 - 1:42 pm: Mmm. This is all so interesting,What about working on the lunge with no rider, until the horse learns to balance itself and track. Once they walk, trot and canter on the lunge, go over trotting poles and answer to the voice. I find it is a lot easier to communicate with them from the saddle. None of us are perfect shape, anatomy or strength even, we lean to one side or the other. All this affects our guys, I remember a trainer used to say. Imagine carrying a perfectly still sleeping pussycat , and then imagine the same pussycat not wanting to be held and struggling to get off. Being on my own I just find that schooling on the lunge for 10/15 minutes helps a lot. Anyway this is much to interesting to keep writing . I want to keep reading! |
Member: Kthorse |
Posted on Monday, Jan 24, 2005 - 6:18 pm: Great posts. I heard about the one hitting them under the belly as they rear. That makes sense to me as the horse would think if I reared something would touch my stomach. They are very vunerable there, I guess it would be good timing that would make that one work. I always hated the one that hits them over the head. That was what they used to do years ago.This is a very interesting post. I am glad I am not the one with the problem. Rearing is much easier to stay on than a buck but its so much more dangerous because of the horse flipping. Very interesting post |
Member: Imogen |
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 4:31 am: I had a halfbred Irish draught that liked to do this if asked to work hard on her own or going away from other horses. I think it tends to be related to being herd-bound. I used to just work her forward but after I became partly paralysed in the left hip it became difficult so I used to get off her if she was particularly bad and lunge the billy-oh out of her but I did not like this as I felt the delay while putting the lunge gear on broke the connection between "duh, ok, if I rear then she makes me do more work... so not a good idea" which I think needs to be made.This mare just actually like the feeling of rearing. She used to do it in the field when feeling good as well as when she didn't like something. She was 7 when I bought her so unfortunately rather too late to break the habit completely. All the best Imogen |
Member: Green007 |
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 9:31 am: I thought I would add a funny story to this post for a chuckle. When I was about 14 years old, I had a wonderful grade TB/QH/Hackney gelding that would jump anything you pointed him at and could do upper level dressage with very little effort. He was so versatile - he would win in the hunter ring and then win in the jumper ring at the same show. The following weekend he would win at a dressage show or an event, and then I would take him foxhunting the following weekend, where he was always clever and careful jumping the biggest jumps in the most trappy of hunt country."Beep" was the best horse I ever had, and we bought him for dirt cheap because he had a known rearing problem that was openly disclosed at point of sale. I remember a cowboy type of fellow at a pony club event once that witnessed me getting dumped on account of the combo rear/spin that he was so good at. This old cowboy pulled me off the ground, helped me catch the horse and then told me to fill my pocket with raw eggs and to crack them over Beep's head the next time he reared. When I got home, I tried it. It must have been quite comical to watch from the ground. Beep reared, I cracked the eggs over his head, and the goopy stuff oozed down his face. I think the idea was that he was supposed to think he was bleeding and that I had really "gotten" him so he should listen to me from that point onward. It did stop him from rearing for a couple of months but didn't work out very well over the long haul. How often can you ride with raw eggs in your pocket, after all? It certainly doesn't work well when foxhunting, and is a real mess to clean up later. BTW - this horse is now in his late 30s and has taught many kids and adults how to ride, show and win. Every one of them has gotten dumped at one point or another, but he had such a balanced rear, it was never dangerous to the rider from a flipping over perspective. It was his combo rear/spin from a full gallop that got you on the ground in a hurry. We love this horse and he is the only horse we have ever had that we couldn't bear to sell. He still tries to spin when ridden but his arthritis won't let him do it like he used to. When he does it now, we make half hearted attempts to correct him. We feel that for this particular horse, it is a good sign for him to show his cheeky spirit at his old age! |
Member: Kiwi |
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 9:58 am: Well, I have a feeling that its work related. When he gets to a certain point in the work, he starts to act out and rear. I will have a vet out to check him first to give him a benefit of a doubt but I'm now afraid of him. He is really getting violent to the point I feel that he will go over with me. I think he knows that he can get out of work when he rears and as the above poster stated trying to get the lunging gear on him after the episode seems to be a lost training moment. Any suggestions other than ( I hate to even suggest it) put him down? I'm afraid that even if I give him away, hurting someone else in would be something I could not live with! |
Member: Green007 |
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 10:10 am: Well, you can always give him away for free or send him to a rescue organization. You are right that you shouldn't sell him to someone without fully disclosing how dangerous he is. That said, there are people out there that enjoy a challenge or that like to have horses around as companions to their other horses or as "lawn ornaments."Is he easy to handle on the ground? Is he good with other horses? He could make a wonderful companion for another horse. Make sure if you do give him away as a companion, that you are careful to check references. Some unscrupulous meat dealers will pose as "good homes" and then sell the horse at auction for meat. In my mind it is better to euthanize a horse than let it go that route, as the horse's well being isn't the primary concern with most meat dealers. No horse, not even a difficult one, deserves such a fate in my mind. |
Member: Kckohles |
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 2:59 pm: If a horse goes okay to a certain point and then isn't fine I would look at your saddle fit first and then maybe his teeth second. The saddle fit is so important and what you describe sounds like that might be a problem. Maybe your saddle fits and the pads are working. You can have good shoes and put the wrong socks on and the "great" shoes suddenly don't fit so well. I can tell you that when I go out in high heels I am fine for awhile and then pretty soon I have had enough and have to get off my feet. I would try and different saddle. By the way where do you live?KIM |
Member: Liliana |
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 - 3:55 pm: Hey Imogen,You just reminded me of Satin my 16hh beautiful mare, whom nobody liked as she loved to rear and then jump up from her hinds. She was part lipizzaner so I guess its in their blood She did this whilst hacking out no problem just felt like it at times, she loved it, and me too... |
Member: Canderso |
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005 - 8:36 am: My Buckskin will do teeny rears as an evasion to work, in his case usually related to him having to do lateral work. (He has trouble crossing over and would rather evade than try something new.)Rearing is basically a refusal to move forward. The answer in my case is to be brave, take a deep breath, make sure I am not hanging on his face, put on LEG to make him go forward and be ready to accept and praise whatever form that forward movement comes in. It is really tough to do, can be scary and really, something for someone who knows what they are doing. Right now Bailey's rears are small enough that I can deal with them, but if it escalates, he is going to a trainer - this is a dangerous habit to let the horse get into... and you are dealing with a 4 year old!!! (Bailey is 11ish) Going off on the tangent that this is a 4 year old: As you may have seen in the 'making horse crooked' discussion I started about two months ago, the MOST important thing with a young horse is to get them going FORWARD. Your instincts are right, you must nip this in the bud. My gut is that you should seriously consider getting a professional to deal with the problem. You really have nothing to lose - either you get a horse back that YOU want to ride or you have a horse that you can sell in good conscience... and hopefully the training costs get paid back through the sale. |
Member: Maggienm |
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005 - 9:19 am: This certainly sounds like an evasive manuveur. One I have seen several times with one of my own and with others horses.As was said it may have started by someone grabbing at the reins. but since you say you can ride in the arena and he is fine going home it is unlikely it is a tack fitting issue. To start I would lead him to the arena. At this point I would not try to ride him past the trigger point unless you are a very accomplished rider wearing a helmet. When this horse leads does he lead quietly, willingly? Stopping when you stop, following your lead if you turn left or right, staying soft and relaxed? Or does he lag behind, pull ahead, stop with his head flung up,( I don't mean just with his head up but when you stop does he 'jerk' his head up), resist turning, especially towards him? If any of these apply I would do some groundwork on these areas. Teach him to lower his head(if you haven't already) from poll pressure as well as lead rope pressure. Put a little bit of pressure on the lead rope straight down from the halter, if he doesn't respond use more pressure, the key is as soon as there is a hint of lowering release the pressure, then try again. This is important because a horse will relax if his head is low and later you can transfer this to rein pressure and so when you are on him if he gets nervous you can lower his head and he will relax. I have used this often enough myself to know it really works, also, if his head is down he can't rear. Will he back smoothly and relaxed, can you move him over with a light touch or do you need to shove and push to get his hindquarters over? There is a strong connection with good leading manners and how he will handle in the saddle. Then I would go over some basic work when mounted. When you ask for a turn, stop or stop-walk, walk-trot, trot-walk transition is it prompt and relaxed? If not, this is your starting place. I know it is hard to spend time on these basics but just like learning the times table in school the better you know them the easier the rest of math is later. Truly the more time spent on these basics the quicker the later training goes. From the length of time you indicated this horse has been ridden he should be able to do halt, walk, trot and stand trasitions easily in a quiet, relaxed and willing manner. These basics need to be practiced until they are smooth and prompt. Don't be concerned how long it takes, work at your own pace. I have heard poeple say that their horse gets mad if they have to do too many repetitions or drills. Stay relaxed and soft yourself and work him through his 'mad'. Then do something he knows well. He can't decide now or later when he has done enough. Imagine a Grand Prix eventer or a contender at the World congress stopping in the middle of a performance? Make sure you include stop and rest in your work, stand quietly and rub him. Surprisingly this is one exercise that is often overlooked. You obviously care about your horse or you wouldn't have asked the question, if you have any questions about what I've said please ask. It is hard to address all points in a post. Good luck and stay safe. } |
Member: Kiwi |
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005 - 3:07 pm: Thanks for all of your posts. I guess my main concern is how far to I go with the medical exam to rule out pain? Let's face it, I could be chasing a ghost once everything is said and done and be in the hole big dollars and still not have any answers. Also, if I do send him to a reputable professional who is experienced in this kind of behavior, when is enough training enough? I'm not looking for a quick fix here but just some guidence so I don't spend good money after bad. What are the chances a young horse can overcome such a vice? |
Member: Green007 |
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005 - 3:17 pm: It depends entirely on why it is happening. With some horses, it is just a bad horse/rider match. I would give it 1-3 months of professional training. That should give a trainer plenty of time to evaluate the situation and determine whether the problem is fixable or not. If the problem is fixable, your horse will get the fine tuning it needs to get you back in the saddle or to make it sellable should you decide to sell.Check references as a good trainer can really help you but a trainer who has only ever ridden push button horses at shows may make matters worse by pushing the horse too hard and teaching him to fight back all the harder. Find a trainer who has experience with greenies, who isn't afraid but who isn't a bully either. Your horse is only 4 so hopefully things will improve for both of you. Good luck. |
Member: Kckohles |
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005 - 3:59 pm: Kiwi,Part of the reason I wanted to know where you live is to possibly offer a suggestion on someone that could help your horse. Any old trainer isn't going to be the answer for your horse, in fact most "trainers" aren't going to be able to help you. As for the pain issue or saddle fit. Take your finger pressing pretty firmly run it from tail to withers and see if you have twitchy muscles or pain. That would be where I would start. Personally I think this behavior is totally fixable but you need to find the right person to help you and your horse. KIM |
Member: Kiwi |
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005 - 7:34 pm: Any suggestions would help! My go to instructor has basically said put the horse down and did not have any contacts to whom would be suitable for this type of problem. I live northeast Maryland,near the Pennslvania border. Any suggestion on whom could help me solve this problem would be great! |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 6:42 am: I have been watching this post with interest and see a question with which I can help: how far to go with the medical exam. The answer depends on the initial findings: if there are no signs of lameness or clear signs of back pain you stop there. I think your history is very suggestive of a training issue but the exam is important to not miss anything obvious. Have you checked the bottom of your saddle? This past fall I was called out for a horse with intermittent rearing and when you pushed hard on the leather covering the tree you could find a nail poking deep in the padding: new saddle no problem.DrO |
Member: Canderso |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 6:56 am: If you go to your national organizations(e.g., US Dressage Association - on the web), they should be able to give you names of certified trainers in your area. Then it is a case of dialing numbers until you find someone.You didn't say if you were english or western, hunter, jumper, dressage, or whatever, but definitely try other disciplines. Keep in mind that while the people you call may not be willing to take the horse on themselves, maybe they can suggest someone. Worst case, I personally find it hard to believe that there isn't some local person who is known for bucking horses out. The methods may not be pretty but as a last resort... If you don't hear about such a person from the certified instructors, try calling up the local trail riding stables and ask them. (No offense intended here - these folk just seem to be really tapped into the industry!) This is going to cost $$. Be ready for it. Good luck. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 7:56 am: I have one other suggestion as a last resort you might try long term mild sedation. See Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Sedatives & Anesthetics » Reserpineand Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Sedatives & Anesthetics » Fluphenazine (Prolixin). Both have been used successfully for such cases but they are not without risks, see the articles for more. |
Member: Maggienm |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 9:01 am: Kiwi, Please don't get discouraged. I know rearng is a very dangerous issue that must be dealt with but from what you have described, you can ride the horse in a certain area and he is young, the problem can be resolved.As Dr. O suggested rule out the saddle and bridle fit. Who originally started this guy? Maybe that person could help. If you started him just start over, do your groundwork, be fussy. If you are walking, walk like you are going somewhere, he should never tighten the lead rope. If you are halting he should stop and stand still. I don't care how 'high' a horse is bred they can still learn this with patience and understanding. Most people, when training settle for 'close enough', and move on to the next step, then wonder why they have training issues. There are many excellent trainers with wonderful videos and training books. Before I sent the horse to a trainer maybe you could look at some of these. Two reasons, after watching a video you may want to try what you see and two, it will make you more familiar with what a trainer may do. It does seem, I have no idea why this would be, that it is western trainers who have the books and videos on starting horses. There are several that I would recommend regardless of riding disciple. Basic training is basic training. Proceed at your own pace. Very often feed stores will know of the trainers in the area, do make sure to call at least two people who have had their horse to a trainer. ask what kind of riding they do themselves and how much experience they have, many people won't say they aren't happy with the trainer esp if they live in the area so you have to ask a few questions. Ask what kind of riding they do themselves and how much experience they have, was the horse able to do just what they wanted when he came back from the trainer? Were the horses kept in a herd situation or private pens? Who supplied the feed, how was the horses condition when he returned home? How long did the trainer keep the horse. Was visiting permitted, could you go watch training sessions? I hope this helps. Keep us posted about what yuo do. Stay safe. |
Member: Erika |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 9:18 am: Kiwi,Sounds like a lot of us have run accross this problem. I tried with a balky rearing horse for quite some time before I decided he was only getting better at it! A professional made quick work out of him, and in a month I had a rideable horse. Of course, you need to learn how to KEEP him going well, or you'll end up back where you were. My friends swear by a trainer here in NW New Jersey who has worked wonders with some problem horses. He does police horse type training and all of the ones I have seen come from him have been model citizens. I am reluctant to give my email over the public internet, but if Dr. O can tell me a way to get it to you privately I would be happy to pass on his name and number. It would be a couple hours' drive for you however. Let me know, okay? And good luck--be safe. |
Member: Liliana |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 11:09 am: Kiwi.May I ask how high is this warm blood of yours, what blood lines, how long have you had the horse, and how long have you been riding. I only dare ask this as you are talking about ending his life, and although I know it can be very frustrating not to get the results we would like from our horse friends, there are no easy answers but they are intelligent creatures that can be retrained. Thanking you Liliana |
Member: Deggert |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 12:26 pm: KiwiI had a young filly off the track once when I was 14 years old. She was so smart so we were moving along quickly but I always rode her in a round pen because of her propensity to run. She got so sick of going in the pen and I was very inexperienced in that I should have realized we should have gone to Plan B, working somewhere else, longeing, or something. We would walk in to the pen, I would get on her, before we took one step she was in the air, not excited or anything just straight up, one rear after another. I tried a couple things but finallly gave up and turned her out for a while, then I sold her to a hunter jumper trainer and she never tried it again. She remebered all the training we did but wasn't in to rearig anymore. There may be hope for your guy but get help. Good luck, Debbie |
Member: Chohler |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 3:38 pm: Kiwi, don't give up.I wish you were on my end of the states I used a wondefull cowboy for one of my mustangs that liked to rear. I worked with two trainers and it turns out that the place i got the horse from used to much round pen work. The trainer I used actually offered to buy the horse from me because he liked him so much. Anyways, they started lunging him on a line all over the property with a Parker Poll halter on him. It has an extra loop around the poll that puts the pressure on the poll and it stopped him from rearing on the ground and tied up. After that he only reared once in the saddle and he used the leather popper on the end of the reins to pop him on the stomach. They now use him for all kinds of ranch work. I also watched Chris Cox on RFDTV a couple of weeks ago and they were working on a horse that liked to rear I didn't get to see the whole thing but they might have some problems solving vidoes by him that might help. They are also advertising for problem horses that they can use on their tv show. I like a lot of the trainers out there but he specifically had a show on tv about rearing. Best of luck to you. |
Member: Dres |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 4:02 pm: I too have been reading this post with interest.. I posted a while ago about a filly of mine that would rear while on the lead line.. since then she has now been backed to ride with little problem.. BUT.. when she is confronted with a task that 'bothers' her or I ask her to hold still when she is not ready.. her first response is to go up.. luckily for me, she has never gone to far.. but one time.. that was with a trainer that pushed her past her comfort zone.. ( I warned him ) she reared so high she sat down.. both came out of it fine..So of course my concern is that this ''rearing'' will most likely never go away with my filly, but long as I am aware that is her escape when times get tuff, I am at least prepared.. Ok this all being said.. she has only been under saddle for 120 days and now is out to pasture to grow some more.. This spring will be another test as to if the rear is still there... Kiwi , good luck.. I know this is not a fun situation to be in.. and one that scares me as well.... On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS.. |
Member: Kckohles |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 4:12 pm: Hi Kiwi,A great clinician that definitely would be able to help you is Tom Curtin. He lives in northern Florida but travels your way. His new schedule for 2005 isn't up yet but you might contact him through his website to see if he could help you sooner than his clinic route. His web address is tomcurtin.net and tell him I knew he would be able to help you. KIM |
Member: Chohler |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 4:55 pm: Ah I found a video Clinton Anderson has a new video Problem solving on the ground and undersaddle and one of the topics covered is rearing. I've watched his videos before and they were very helpfull, and put together well. |
Member: Kiwi |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 5:48 pm: Thanks for all of your upbeat suggestions. I've called a few trainers who specialized in this situation from one that basically muscles the horse to another who claims in takes 6 months to a year program where the horse is put on a special diet, herbs, and training is at a snail pace. I still haven't found one that I feel comfortable with so if anyone out there has a name in the Maryland, PA, Delaware, NJ area, I would love to know. |
Member: Leilani |
Posted on Thursday, Jan 27, 2005 - 11:01 pm: Kiwi, Please check out anything by Clinton Anderson or Chris Cox. Don't give up!!! Unless there is an underlying neurological problem, I think there is hope. Please check out both.Leilani |
Member: Kthorse |
Posted on Friday, Jan 28, 2005 - 7:05 am: https://www.horsetrainingandtips.com/horse_rearing_problems_and_solutions.htmHere is a tip |
Member: Kthorse |
Posted on Friday, Jan 28, 2005 - 10:15 am: https://www.equusite.com/articles/riding/ridingRearing.shtmlhttps://www.horseproblems.com.au/rearing_horse_page.htm 2 more sites you might want to read |
Member: Aannk |
Posted on Friday, Jan 28, 2005 - 10:35 am: Kiwi,Try Ray Wheeler at 410 741-9858. He is really good with problem horses and youngsters. He is kind of in between the two methods you described. He is in Harwood Maryland. Alicia |
Member: America |
Posted on Friday, Jan 28, 2005 - 11:28 am: Hello Kiwi, sounds like you have your hands full of a spoiled wants it to be his way type of horse. well I have tried this type of methed on different horses and it has worked. First make a good strong braid and put a piece of bailing twine in it and make a loop in it at the end. Run an extra piece of twine from your horses cavason thru his front legs back to his tail. Ajust this twine so that when his head comes up to high it will pull his tail . He will round some and squat a little and discurage him from rearing. do this first on the lunge line with him and wait for him to hit the preasue on his own. He will not like it encourage him to move forward. When he learns to except this apparatus move him to a bridle with dubble twine over his poll thru the bit give yourself a 6to 9 inch leaway tie a good knot bring your twine from his tail back under his belly to the twine from his bridle and put him in to motion do lots of troting. If you get this far let me know i'll give you more info good luck! |
Member: Kiwi |
Posted on Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 - 6:59 am: Thanks for the above name. I will contact them. I'm at the point if anyone would like to contact me privately with a name/number of a fair trainer who is firm but not afraid of such behavior, please email me at JWelsh5514@aol.com At this point the rearing has progressed to when I get on him and ask for any kind of work. I think he's learned quickly that he can intimidate a rider. Erika, I would be interested in learning about your contact in NW New Jersey. Please email me when you have a chance or anyone else with a suggestion. I'll keep the strand updated with posts on my progress. It's good to know that I'm not the only one whose experienced this vice. |
Member: Kthorse |
Posted on Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 - 8:00 am: KiwiI dont know if this guy can help , but he is an excellent horse trainer. He is in NJ Good luck in your search https://www.bobjeffreys.com/ |
Member: Kthorse |
Posted on Monday, Jan 31, 2005 - 2:57 pm: Kiwi,I got an e-mail from Bob Jefferies. They might be able to put you in touch with one of their graduates if you are interested. Below is what they wrote. Hi Katrina, We are full but we may be able to refer you to one of our graduates. Please email us with your contact information and we will see what we can do. Susan Clinic Secretary -----Original Message----- From: Katrina Turner [mailto:kturner1999@optonline.net] Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2005 8:58 AM To: bob@bobjeffreys.com Subject: rearing horse |