Pets Information

How To Stop Your Horse From Rearing And What To Do If He Does It Unexpectedly


There is a dangerous problem that horse owners should be very aware of. It's when a horse stands up on his back legs. It's called "rearing." This problem can be quite dangerous and cause severe injuries to the rider and/or horse.

Rearing is perhaps a horse's most effective defense against the rider. It is dangerous in that the horse can fall over backward onto its rider. Because of a horse's enormous weight this can cripple and even kill the rider. Thus, it is good to know why, if possible, a horse rears. But even more importantly, how to stop it.

If your horse ever does rear with you on him, there isn't much you can do. If he rears suddenly, he could lose his balance and fall or he could rear so explosively that he can throw himself back to the ground with the rider under him. If you're on him while this is happening and you use the reins to pull on to keep from falling, you're likely to pull the horse over.

Although it's not one hundred percent infallible, the best way to protect yourself when a horse rears with you is to lean forward immediately and put your hands forward so you have loose reins. If you have to, you could even put your arms around his neck, let go of the reins and slide off. For my money, there aren't any other safer ways to deal with a horse if he suddenly rears.

Why do horses rear? There are several reasons why. Here are some examples.

I've read where a rider was on an obedient horse while trail riding. They came upon cows and it scared the horse because the horse was not used to cows. The rider tried to get the horse to go toward the cows to get it to learn that cows are not spooky. The horse obeyed and went forward but finally became so frightened that it reared up, lost balance, and fell on its rider. The rider suffered numerous broken bones.

The rider later understood the horse felt trapped. The horse obediently went forward even though it was frightened. As it got closer, fear overpowered the horse and it had nowhere to go but up.

Some horses rear because as colts they were too young to be ridden. Another reason rearing happens is because training may confuse the horse. The horse may be asked to do too much at one time and not know what to do.

Sometimes a horse will rear if it is forced to yield to the bit. Other horses may rear if you try to get them to put out more energy than they can. On the opposite end, some horses may rear because they want to go and you don't let them.

So how do you stop a horse from rearing?

First, let's take a look at the anatomy of a horse while it rears. A horse cannot rear while running. A horse must stop (or be barely moving) to be able to rear. If a rider has had enough experience on a horse he can feel when the horse gets light in the front. In a way, it would be a bit like sitting in the middle of a teeter-totter where you can feel one side getting light.

So, if a horse has to stop to rear up then it makes sense to keep the horse moving so it cannot rear up. Thus, if you feel your horse getting light in the front then you move him forward and do it with meaning. Not just a patient "cluck" from your mouth. Do it like you mean it. And it's also important he has a place to go forward - don't have him blocked in by anything.

If your horse rears up and you weren't ready for it then lean forward and give your horse loose reins. As soon as your horse's feet are almost back to the ground then make your horse go forward. Let the horse know, with no doubt whatsoever, to go forward. Boot the horse "hard" into going forward. When your horse has gone forward a little ways then double him and drive him forward out of the double. Then double him the other way and drive him forward from it also. Then bring your horse to a stop.

What does it mean to "double" your horse? Essentially, you will pull his head back one way towards his hind quarters. The moment he is committed to the turn then boot him forward. This impresses upon your horses mind that you can control him.

Other so-called "schools of thought" to stop rearing are to hit a horse over the head with a two-by-four when he rears up. I've even read where people break beer bottles over the horse's head. Some people use the handle end of a riding crop. Not only are these inhumane ways to stop rearing, they are rarely, if ever, effective. They don't teach a horse anything except to fear the rider. Hitting a horse over the head when you are trying to build a trust relationship will destroy all you've worked for.

As is almost always the case, the best way to get a horse to do what you want is to use psychology of the horse. Get him to move and you can accomplish miracles.

About The Author

Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author of several best selling horse training and horse care books. For information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com. He is also the leading expert on Jesse Beery's horse training methods which can be seen at www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm.


MORE RESOURCES:

Care2.com

Pampered Pet Business Booms in US
Voice of America
February 07, 2012 Pampered Pet Business Booms in US Americans spent $50 billion on their animals in 2011 Deborah Block | Fairfax County, Virginia At “A Dog's Day Out” in Alexandria, Virginia, people bring in their dogs to stay either for the day or ...
Big Pets Get Bigger: Latest Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic ExpandingMarketWatch (press release)
Winterize Your Pet With the Royal TreatmentHuffington Post
Most American Pets are Too FatCare2.com

all 17 news articles »


Delta Society(R) Is Now Pet Partners(R)
MarketWatch (press release)
BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Delta Society(R), one of the world's oldest and largest human-animal interaction organizations, is now Pet Partners(R). The renaming is part of the organization's new brand strategy to achieve greater ...
Delta Society® Is Now Pet Partners®Business Wire (press release)

all 4 news articles »


Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year Award Winner New York's Hotel Pennsylvania ...
MarketWatch (press release)
7, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- As the 2012 Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year award winner and host hotel for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, New York's Hotel Pennsylvania has become the only hotel to stay at for the Westminster Dog Show.
Purely Products to Sponsor VIP Pet Bags and Allergy-Free Home Makeovers at the ...Business Wire (press release)

all 10 news articles »


ChicagoNow (blog)

Pet Food Product Recalls, U.S. Senator Expresses Concerns
ChicagoNow (blog)
At a news conference on February 6 in Cleveland, Brown was joined by Kevin Thaxton, whose 10 year-old pug, Chancey, passed away unexpectedly after eating chicken jerky pet treats. But Thaxton didn't know why his dog died at that time and fed the same ...
Northeast Ohio pet owners want fast FDA action on pet treats from ChinaPlain Dealer
Concerns about potentially tainted pet treatsWTAM.com
Brown, Kucinich Seek FDA Action to Protect Dogs From 'Tainted' TreatsCleveland News - Fox 8

all 5 news articles »


French Tribune

A Bite as Healthy as Their Bark
Wall Street Journal
By LAURA JOHANNES Pet dental health, largely ignored by many owners, is moving into the spotlight. Many veterinarians are recommending you brush your pet's teeth, daily, just as you do your own. A wide array of "dental care kits" for cats and dogs are ...
Time to Brush Up! Petplan Pet Insurance Provides Toothy Tips Just in Time for ...San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Pet Dental Health Under the Spotlight in the USACosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)

all 64 news articles »


Business Insider

National Pet Day - April 11th {Pet Day USA}
BellaDOG Magazine
National Pet Day was created by Celebrity Pet Lifestyle Expert & Animal Advocate Colleen Paige, who also founded National Dog Day and National Cat Day {among others} and sponsored by the Animal Miracle Network, to celebrate the joy pets bring to our ...
Shelter Exchange and Adopt-a-Pet.com Partner to Help Homeless AnimalsMarketWatch (press release)
3 Steps To Adding Your Pooch To Your WillBusiness Insider
Pets for adoption Feb. 5Greenville Daily Reflector
Patch.com
all 12 news articles »


BBC News

Godmanchester pet charity celebrates rehoming 'first'
BBC News
The Paw 2 Door scheme allows owners to keep their pets at home until the charity finds them new, vetted owners. Wood Green ensures the animal has up-to-date vaccinations, is neutered, microchipped and has a month's worth of veterinary insurance.



BC-US-SPE--Pets-Digest, US
NOLA.com
AP The "Pets" Special Edition is moving today on the Lifestyles wire for use anytime. All stories are accompanied by photos. Slugs begin BC-US-SPE--Pets-. For story reruns, please contact Customersupport(at)ap.org, or call 877-836-9477.



ESPN

Pillow Pets, sleep cams and bus rides
ESPN
Michelle Smith Pillow Pets make great traveling companions. Toni Kokenis (tiger), Nneka Ogwumike (bunny), Lindy La Rocque (panda) and Chiney Ogwumike (turtle) show off theirs. This season, espnW is spending time with the Stanford Cardinal and Hall of ...



ABC Action News

Detectives: Animal Control worker confesses to stealing money from homeless ...
ABC Action News
Authorities arrested an Animal Control officer on Monday for allegedly stealing money from a donation box for homeless pets and taking other items donated to Polk County Animal Control. For the past six months, Benjamin Derrick, 21, of Fort Meade has ...
Polk County Sheriff's Animal Control Officer Benjamin Derrick arrested for ...WTSP 10 News
Deputies: Animal control officer stole from homeless petsMyFox Tampa Bay
Animal Control Officer Accused of Stealing From Donation BoxThe Ledger
WKMG Orlando
all 11 news articles »

Google News

home | site map | First Rate Hosting
2006 First Rate Hosting

Powered By First Rate Hosting