Rearing youngster?

Question

we have a 2 year old colt who was gelded about a year ago. He went to a couple of shows last year and was fine. We were at the first of this year at the weekend with the colt and our cob. They live together and are very stongly bonded although we do seperate them for short periods of time - like we leave the baby in the field while we work the cob. There's only the 2 of them in their field but the are next door to other horses. While I was in the collecting ring with the baby the cob was in his class. The colt was fine for a while and then started to get upset and ended up rearing up a couple of times. I mean properly on his hind legs boxing with the front ones although he wasn't aiming at me. Given that he's around 16hh already he's pretty intimidating and we really want to get on top of this now. Before this he has had a tendancy to bounce a little fif he is frustrated or doesn't understand but hasn't properly reared before.

Answer 1

First use a lunge whip if he starts rearing while on lead.  A quick sttrike to the front legs every time he does it will put a stop to that if he is rearing on lead.  No punishment is given to rearing in the field if you are not around.  But if he rears and you are around, put him on a lead or tie him up.  Same punishment if he rears when tied.

Now the problem is to teach him to be calm when he is separated from the other.  I recommend cross tying him for a few hours out of sight of the other horses.  When he is calm for at least a half hour without any fits being pitched then release him.  This tends to do a LOT for horses that have this problem.

Especially given his nature I would lightly back him as a two year old.  No strenuous riding but if he gets used to a person sitting on his back and all the basic commands of stop, go, left, and right he will be much easier to break out and a better overall horse.  He is already beginning to challenge and it is best to back such a horse before they get to the age of trying to find out where in the herd they fit in as an adult.  This typically occurs at about the time they first turn three.

Answer 2

I know your problem!

my 2 yo did a wonderful impression of a prima ballerina on points at the kaent County Show many years ago.

It was really just the day and evberything got too much for her at once. She also was a TB and completely cool normally. (By that time I had led her everywhere - through housing estates, along busy roads, etc etc) so she was completely traffic, dog noise, people, flag etc etc proof.

Having just the 2 is a bit of a problem. They tend to "stick" to each other and splitting them but still in sight is not the same as completely alone. When there are more at home, horse trend to be easier when split from the herd. They think that all the others in the ring are just thier other buddies.

Do you have the possibility to have a small "Number3"?? that way he will learn to leave the cob and still have a friend in sight.

These sudden "panic attacks" is unfortunately part of being a teenage, and the more often you expose him to being away from the cob, the easier it will get.

By the way - how did the cob react??

Another solution is to put a Chiffney in his mouth - but handle with care:

Good Luck

Answer 3

Sounds wacky, but chase him around a small field waving your arms and the lead rope, until he is totally knackered and l*****g his lips, then stop straight away and walk away slowly.

He will follow you and stop this habit.

Repeat if you need to.

Oh and definately do not jurk on the bit, as this really will make him rear up to avoid the pain.

Answer 4

Well for the rearing when he has the bit and you have a hold of him, you need to take him  off balance by pulling the reins to one side and he will los ebalance and fall, and you need to sit on his neck because he will not be able to get up, it is basicly telling him that what he is doing will not be acceptable. It may sound cruel but, that is the way you have to do it. or you could reduce the intensity of the rear by usin, a tie. Which is a string that you use to tie their head down so they can through it in the air to rear and it can even prevent bucking as well. usually it is used with a saddle though because you tie it to the bridle and then down to the hook on the girth it work for us.

Answer 5

a bit confused is your youngster a colt or gelding. if he has been gelded then he is not a colt and should not need bitting. i have a 2 yr old gelding who stands about 15.2 he started to rear last year a couple of times, i have cured it now. he is not yet bitted but has learnt to respect his head collar i used a chain on the head collar paced round the back of his chin and clipped to the side ring of his head collar i also had a rope attached in the normal way when he got strong or started to go up i gave the rope sharp tugs if he didn't respond then i used the chain. he soon learnt that if he didn't behave on the rope the chain would come into play i no longer have the chain on and have a well behaved 2yr old

Answer 6

Is he a colt or a gelding?  If he has been gelded he is not a colt anymore.  

The youngster and cob being separated at home is very different to be separated at a show.  At home the younster has the horses in the field next door whilst at a show he has lots of strange horses and things to get excited about.  Lots of horses particular young, inexperienced ones will get excited at shows and the rearing is probably just an indication of this.  He may be placid at home but in new places I would expect a youngster to be a bit spirited.  

When he rears do not pull him directly downwards as he is more likely to pull harder backwards and could cause him to go over.  You should pull him sharply to one side.  This will upset his balance so he can't get anymore upwards energy.  It needs to be done quickly enough to catch him off guard.  If you cannot handle him in a normal bit you can try a chiffney but be aware that it is very harsh and you do not want to make his mouth harsh at such a young age.  

Ideally you need to get the youngster used to being away from not just your cob but the neighbouring horses.  Do lots of handling and groundwork with him.  Leading him, pole work, givng him new experiences and getting him so he is not reliant on the other horses.  Only schooling, experience and consistent handling will overcome this issue.

Answer 7

A well-educated horse will not rear.

If the training of the horse is done progressively with tact, the conflict situations(in this case things he hasnt done before) will be avoided or will be very rare, and they will not reach the violent level of refusal that rearing represents.

A horse on the bit, at work, forward and relaxed does not rear. The more work you give him the better. When you are on him keep him going forward and if you feel him back up and crouch on his hind legs to brace himself for a rear.

Quickly move the horse’s head opposite from the haunches with a very clear and wide opening rein, associated with a vigorous action of the leg on the same side.

Doing this, you will carry your horse forward strongly (and he will not rear). Good Luck and remmeber to keep him  going. Even if it is at a walk.!!!

Answer 8

Best thing is an anti-rearing bit also called a chiffney.  Often used on stallions or race horses.  It is almost completely circular and is attached to the head collar.  you have two leads, one on the head collar and one on the bit.  If he thinks about going up use the bit lead.  Once he is walking nicely again lead him on a head collar lead.

It is totally normal behaviour, but does need to be nipped in the bud.  I wonder what size he will grow to?  He is just a bit over excited.  Try taking him to a few shows but not doing any classes so he can have a good look round and take in the sights and sounds.

You could run at him, but the first time should not be at a show.  Also smacking his legs with a schooling stick might disuade him from this kind of behaviour.  I have groomed for top showjumpers who are so lazy at home that they could be thought of as going backwards, but as soon as they are at a show, they are on their toes and behaving like lunatics!  You would think that they had been fed tons of oats and never had any excersise!

He should settle down after a few times.  Patience and firmness is the best policy. And keep him moving if at all possible.

Good luck!