I own a 12 yr 12.2 hh Welsh sec A gelding. i have had him for 4 years. during my 2nd year of owning him he started rearing so we got him checked by vet ect. then the rearing and dominant behaviour get more severe and i cant do anything with him on my own: catch, turn out or ride. he will just rear. i am not a softie with him, nor would i say i was too stern with him. i dont no his history, he is not a timid pony... just voilent. i love him to pieces and need anwsers to help the pair of us!
thanks, sarah, 19
2007-12-31 09:01:13 · 7 answers · asked by sarah b 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
He's been rearing for two years? Wow.
You NEED the advice of a professional trainer. This is not a behavior that an amateur (like me!) can handle. Please, please hire a professional before someone gets hurt.
Good luck.
2007-12-31 09:06:02 · answer #1 · answered by luvrats 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you need to do the obvious things like have his teeth, feet and back checked. I would also check that all your tack fits properly and isn't rubbing him anywhere. It may be that your vet coulod check his hormone levels, sometimes when a horse is gelded late they may still have stallion tendencies, or maybe he wasn't fully castrated - it is possible for a small amount to be left behind!
If all this finds no problem I would contact a local instructor / trainer who can help you to re-school your horse and help you regain control. It is important you find someone who will work on your pony with you rather than sending him away to be reschooled. Remember it is you who will be dealing with him on a daily basis afterwards and it is you he needs to respect.
If you do not have an instructor, maybe post a question asking for one local to where you live.
Good luck xx
2008-01-01 14:11:29 · answer #2 · answered by Smurfette! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, just a thought... when you go out to catch him, do you catch him to ride him every time? Maybe he's bored to tears with knowing what he's going to do and be asked of him. Try standing in his field with a few treats. He WILL eventually come over to you. Give him a treat, talk softly to him and make a fuss of him by patting and stroking and brush him and do his feet... Then walk away. He will be surprised at this and may follow you. DON'T ride him every time you catch him. Try lunging, pop over a few poles or cavalettis then let him go again. Give him something different to do each time and you will find him more responsive to you and stop rearing. As the other answers suggest, do try a second or even third vet.
2008-01-01 02:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by racey-pacey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get teeth/back/tack checked. I know it's expensive, but vets aren't as specialised in these areas as dentists/chiropractors. A chartered physio is also a good one to have out.
A friend of mine had a 17hh mare that used to rear all the time for absolutely no reason. In the end it was either the horse get hurt a bit, or my friend get hurt seriously so she had to get tough with the mare. She took her out to a field on her own when the ground was soft (few days after rain) in a bridle and long reins. She would then work the horse from the ground until she reared, or even "annoy" the mare a little until she reared. As soon as the mare went up my friend pulled back on the reins. This pulled the horse off balance until she was nearly going backwards. This was repeated a few times, without having to actually pull the mare over. Going over backwards is a very scary thought to a horse, so when she realised every time she went up she was nearly going over, she stopped. She reared about 3 times before she got the message, and never reared again. It should be slightly easier to do with a 12.2! But you still have to be very careful, wear a hard had and gloves, and don't overdo it. Put boots on the pony, and possibly a tail guard but no saddle/twisted reins.
Make sure you have a first aid kit and people on hand just in case, but at the end of the day it's your safety you have to think about, if you can't stop it rearing it's basically an unmanagable horse, and not pleasent to keep.
2007-12-31 12:40:28 · answer #4 · answered by moodymare 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is he rearing etc when you just handle him rather than riding him? It may be worth getting a second opinion from a vet.... I did know a horse who suffered a behaviour change due to a brain tumour...
Also check out this website which may help:
http://www.equusite.com/articles/riding/ridingRearing.shtml
Good luck - wear a hat and stay safe.
2007-12-31 11:18:08 · answer #5 · answered by Tigger B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would first have his back and teeth checked and depending on what the vet said the first time get the vet out again for another opinion if things have got worse. Has he had any experiences that may have influenced his behaviour? It seems very strange for his behaviour to have changed for no apparent reason. Continue to be firm and teach him right from wrong. Going on what you've said I would look into Parelli or Monty Roberts techniques to build a better, more respectful relationship with your horse, hopefully he will come right for you, good luck x
2007-12-31 09:13:51 · answer #6 · answered by clairey_dee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Horses-Behavior-Issues-3329/2-year-old-rearing.htm
or
this one is very good about riding rears
http://www.horsetrainingandtips.com/horse_training_solutions.htm
2008-01-01 02:43:57 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋