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Re: [RC] Rearing (slightly OT) - Barbara McCraryMany years ago, a horse we had bought for our 10 year old daughter, already a rider with some experience, decided he could out-fox the girl. He started rearing the minute she tried to ride him out of our driveway. Our horsehoer at that time was an experienced western rider, and he mounted up, asked the horse to move out, the horse reared, and the man promptly boxed the horse on the head, right between the ears. It was a terrific show for several moments, rearing horse, rider boxing the horse with his fist between the ears. After the dust settled, rider and horse went down the road, and the horse seldom tried this again. When he did, our daughter boxed him between the ears and settled the issue. This horse was NOT and Arab, so I'm not sure whether that is too much correction for the more astute Arab mind. I agree with Karen, and it was MY first thought.....if the horse is 4 years old and has had 2 years of professional training, she was started too early and probably pushed too hard, too young. I feel that 3-1/2 to 4 is a minimum age to start an Arab, and one should take things slowly and carefully. These are generally very smart critters and don't take kindly to heavy-handedness. I KNOW people start riding Quarter Horses at 2, but Arabs AREN'T Quarter Horses! Barbara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Sullivan" <greymare56@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <Lra1222@xxxxxx>; <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2003 12:58 PM Subject: Re: [RC] Rearing (slightly OT) I have dealt with a rearer. Sometimes, the act of trying to push them forward will initiate the balk....then rear. You have to find a safe way to cure this problem pronto BEFORE it becomes habit. With one mare I had, she would refuse to go forward (becuase perhaps she was being asked to leave the property or her buddies), and kicking or asking her to move forward with prompt the rear. What worked and was cured her, was this. Ask the horse to go forward. Give the horse a brief chance....if they balk; IMMEDIATELY crank their head to your knee hard, have a very heavy crop, and run that horse in about 10 good circles, whapping them as hard as you can on the butt and yelling. You HAVE to make an impression and make it a horrible consequence to not going forward. If you do not cure this, or nip it in the bud, you risk getting killed, if the horse goes over backwards with you. If their head is at your knee, they cannot buck or rear. This worked with the mare I had and cured the problem. What are you asking the horse to do.....that causes him to rear? I few other comments....is, how long at his horse been under saddle? Sounds like perhaps pushed too hard at a young age. At four, you need to be establishing GOOD habits, by making it easy for them to pay attention in very short lessons or rides, and having a buddy horse along on the trail also helps a lot. Do NOT ask things of them they are not ready for... Karen. ----- Original Message ----- From: <Lra1222@xxxxxx> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2003 10:59 AM Subject: [RC] Rearing (slightly OT)Hi all. I am working with a 4 year old Arab gelding who has had 2 years of "professional training." He behaves really well for a while, then acts, well, FOUR, and then is good again. He was trained for hunter pleasure, then got 7 months off, and I have been working him for about a month now. He is EXTREMELY smart- when he learns he can't get away with one thing, he tries something else. OK, so down to the problem-- his new evasive tactic is rearing-- which I HATE!! I can deal with bucking and spinning, which he also tries occasionally, but not rearing. I don't want him to fall over on top of me, ya know?! I have checked saddle fit, teeth, etc. and can't find anything that may be causing pain. I really think he is just acting his age! I just want to find out how to stop the rearing before one or both of us gets hurt! Any ideas? He is not my horse, but I do work him 3-4 times a week. I try to vary the routine so that he doesn't get bored, hoping that will help with the problem. He has reared about 4-5 times now, and I am sick of it. As far as trying to keep him moving forward, I try- he will slam on the brakes just to rear and spin. AUGGGHHH! Okay, this is long enough, just trying to give some background info. Thanks in advance for your help-- ya'll are a wealth of info, so I figured someone would have an idea!!!Lindsey M21756=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= http://www.endurance.net/ads/seabiscuit.html Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. 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