How to Cure a Horse From Rearing

Rearing is one of the most dangerous bad habits your horse can develop. Rearing occurs when the horse picks his front legs off the ground and stands up on his hind legs--which is not only hazardous to the horse but to the rider and anyone on the ground around him. Curing a horse from rearing can take a little time and effort but having a safe mount is well worth the trouble.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter and lead
  • Round pen
  • Treats
  • Saddle and bridle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Catch your horse and hit him with a halter and long lead rope. Make sure the lead is at least 20 feet long to give you plenty of room to move away when your horse rears while still keeping control of him.

    • 2

      Walk your horse to the round pen, unclip his lead and allow him to run and exercise for a few minutes. Ten to 15 minutes of vigorous exercise is enough to allow your horse to burn off excess energy, which will help him focus on you and learn more effectively.

    • 3

      Clip the lead to her halter and hold a treat in your hand and place it under your horse̵7;s nose, lowering it slowly towards the ground until your horse drops her head. Pull down gently on the lead with your other hand and give her the command to drop his head. It could be as simple as the word "drop", as long as you use the same command every time. Dropping his head on command causes your horse to relax and shift weight forward on to his shoulders, making it difficult for him to rear.

    • 4

      Ask your horse to walk around the round pen with you and give him the command to put his head down as you walk. Give him a treat as soon as he puts his head down and relaxes, then walk forward and repeat the command until he automatically puts his head down each time he hears the command.

    • 5

      Tack up your horse and climb aboard, asking him to walk around the pen. If he tenses up and you feel him begin to shift his weight backwards to rear, give him the drop command and wait for him to relax. Ask him to walk forward again, repeating the drop command each time you feel him tense up to rear. Work with the horse at increasing speeds until he will relax and drop his head from a walk, trot and canter.