How to Keep a Horse From Rearing

Rearing horses look beautiful, breathtaking and stunning. In reality, the action endangers the horse and its rider. Rarely do horses rear without provocation unless trained to rear on command like the horses that played Silver in the 1940s Lone Ranger television show. The action usually signals deeper problems of either a mental or physical nature.

Instructions

  1. Rear Prevention

    • 1

      Determine the cause of the rearing. Horses rear because they are frightened, in pain, confused or feeling other strong emotion that causes them to act out. Potentials causes include ill-fitting tack or bit, boredom, excess energy, physical issues and fear of an object such as bridges and water.

      Check the tack for fit and the bit for pinching. Ask someone else to double-check it. Look for patterns when the rearing occurs. Rarely do horses rear without provocation.

    • 2

      Bring in a vet and horse dentist to make sure the horse has no medical issues. With a clean bill of health, the rider knows that the rearing results from something other than pain.

    • 3

      Take a trail ride or change the method of training. This keeps the horse from getting bored and acting out to spice up the ride.

    • 4

      Expose your horse to a variety of sight, sounds and scents. Each thing she sees and hears becomes one less that she has to fear.

    • 5

      Change your horse's grain to a variety with less sugar in it. The food may contain additives that your horse doesn't need and causes an increase in energy that inspires your horse to act out. After you give a kid a candy bar, he or she exhibit signs of a sugar rush. That may be what your horse experiences when you are riding him.

    • 6

      Turn the horse out in a large paddock, preferably with another horse, for at least six hours daily. Put the equine out longer, if possible.

    While Riding

    • 7

      Note signals that the horse wants to rear such as hesitation. Drive the horse forward with your legs or change direction by circling your horse.

    • 8

      Be proactive and keep your horse's attention on his rider by changing directions, trotting over cavalettis and, if inside, circling in each corner of the arena. This not only keeps his mind on his rider, but also teaches flexibility.

    • 9

      Lean forward and loosen the reins during the rear to keep the horse from falling backwards, potentially causing injury to the rider and the horse. Get him moving forward again as soon as possible.