How do I train my horse out of rearing?

Question

My horse Outlaw rears when asked to do something he doesnt like. Such as a sharp turn or leaving the gate. He is very balanced and has never fallen but i want him to be out of it before he turns 4.

Answer 1

Whatever you do, do NOT discipline the horse after it comes back down. He'll think you're punishing him for coming back down.

To prevent rearing, keep him moving.
You could also use a tie-down.

But be careful with the tie down, especially on a trail. If you ever cross water and you have a tie-down, take it off before crossing. Your horse could otherwise drown.
Also be sure it's adjusted right, I had a little pony who wore a tie down and it was basically useless.

One horse was known for rearing and flipped over occasionally, so I hopped on, carrying an egg. When he started to go up, I cracked the egg on his head. Painless, but he thought he hit something and hurt himself.
He hasn't reared since.

If he rears while carrying a rider, the best thing to do is bail off the side. He could flip backwards injuring himself and/or the rider.

Good luck with teaching him not to rear.

Answer 2

Depending on the horse, putting a tie down can be the worst thing to do for you and the horse.

I know, it landed me in the hospital for a week when my 1200 pound Quarter horse reared, with a tie down, slip and went on top of me.

I can't put a tie down on my mare, which is a rearing horse and never, no matter how much training, never get out of rearing. If she reared, it was because she didn't like something or didn't want to go somewhere since she had her "own agenda". You have to watch, listen and learn why and other ways of going around the situation. Sometimes a rear is valid. If it wasn't for my mare rearing, we would of crossed two rattle snakes that we could of got bite since the only way to go is on top of them on the trail if we wanted by. I didn't see or pay attention. Think of the reasons why this horse is rearing.

At the same time, a tie down can have the horse tuck its head and cause them to back up quickly to the point they will either loose balance or back into something or down something dangerously.

I use a running martingale on my gelding for that reason so, it helps lower his head, gain control and for any reason he did rear (which is rare), I wouldn't worry about my horse pulling head high and losing balance due the head/spine positioning/balancing while on two hind quarters.

Teeth need floating? Teeth coming in? Teeth loose? Sore mouth? Bulking at going forward due to soreness or injury? Barn sour?

Sharp turn? Ok, which way? If you doing a sharp turn and the horse rear's, think of how much pressure is on the bit, how much pressure is on that particular leg side. Can be more than just a behavior issue. I would examine the body to make sure.

Then I would take one rein and pull it (not up to shoulders) but down to the hip or knee level and pull back so that horse's nose can touch your foot. This horse can't go up, can't buck or go anywhere than move it's hindquarter's around. Stop the rear before even happens. You can tell when a horse is tensing up to start to rear. Look for the signs ahead of time.

Don't hit the horse's breast plate. I was told to do that and my mare reared worse. Shook her head, ears back and reared more, nashing at the bit.

Instead, drive the horse forward in a rear calmly. Meaning, place the reins and all your weight in the saddle on to the neck/withers and press with heals to go forward.

Leaving the gate sounds like a barn sour horse to me. If the horse rear's, do the rein to hip thing. release when horse is calm and standing. Then re ask to go forward. If rear, repeat again. Then this time ask to left or right and then make a half circle back to the gate driving the horse to go forward.

Give positive reinforcement when done right or almost done right.

I would also seek a trainer. It is easier done than actually explained on here.

Rearing bit and experienced handler can prevent the horse from rearing.

However, some horses may never be cured. I got my mare at 4.5 years old. I think the cause of her rearing prior to buying was the trainer prior would slap her on the neck or the breast plate or hind quarters instead of asking her to move forward in voice command. She was also man handled a lot. There is a reason and story behind rearing.

Answer 3

take him to a trainer. rearing can be very dangerous. i had a horse flip over on top of me when she reared. yeah not a good idea to keep riding him until u get help from a trainer. try a milder bit on him or a hacamor. horses mouths r very sensitive and sometimes can be hurt alot by sharp turns and stuff like that. as for leaving the gate thats just stuborness. take him to a trainer before he hurts anyone.

Answer 4

with the help of asking this question you're literally not waiting to coach and in straightforward words those who're qualified horse operating shoes could try this. certain this can reason destiny complications both bodily and behaviorally. contained in the wild horses use rearing as a protection to scare off predators with the help of creating themselves look higher. at the same time as a horse rears at the same time as driving it will be because of: ill installation tack mistaken rein or leg aids Has no longer received adequate exercising in the previous driving etc. . . . that's not ok or suitable to tutor a horse to rear at the same time as driving or you'll tutor the horse to imagine that it truly is alright to rear each of the time and then you've a frustrating and unsafe horse to handle. no longer in straightforward words that, yet both you and the horse can get heavily harm or maybe killed with the help of that risky stunt.

Answer 5

ok i have had lots of horses do this do me .. well this is what you do .. i've tried tie downs. to where they could not get there head high enough to walk.. let alone rare.. you get a water ballon and fill it with warm water.. like blood warm when he rares bust it on top of his head.. and hang on good. he will think he is hurt and will probly try it again.. so do the same.. he won't do it more than 3 times turst me.. ok .. i have had this problyss and bcause of it i've had 3 broken ribs and 3 broken shoulders and a head injury.. it spelt open and i lost memory.. still can't rememer it.. and you name it i've broke it and i have found a cue for al most every thing

Answer 6

Use a good bridle and a halter with a tie down to a chest strap that is attached to the saddle. The length of this strap is the horses neck and mule rein him down when he starts to raise up.

Normally they raise their head to move the body upward, This is not painful or mean. Its just aggressive "tact" to hold him in place.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Check out any sources from Pat Perelli or John Lyons, excellent gentle training techniques.

Answer 8

I am glad that someone else uses the egg method! Harmless, and messy but it will cure him. If you use this method, place the egg between your palm and his head. Then push down. He will think he hurt himself and he will not do it again. This may take a few times to work but he will get the idea that if he does that bad thing, then he will hurt himself.

Answer 9

I think u should pay more attention too your horse and ride it more often that well build your relationship with your horse also u can walk your horse before u ride it.

Answer 10

Get a tie down. It will make it so he cant rear and it won't hurt him. Good Luck