How To Rear Friesians

Causing a horse to rear up on hind legs, in the spirit of the Lone Ranger and his horse Silver, is a "haute ecole" or "high school" maneuver in the riding discipline of dressage. It is a high level skill that requires specific training on the part of the horse and the rider. Known as the "levade" in dressage, asking a horse to rear is a combination of leg and seat aids, combined with hand aids controlling the bit. Friesians, a classical haute ecole breed, are ideal for this maneuver.

Things You'll Need

  • Well-trained Friesian horse
  • Dressage saddle
  • Dressage bridle and bit
  • Spurs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drive your horse forward with your leg aids and spurs. Signal your mount firmly with your legs in order to drive his rear legs deep underneath his body, allowing his weight to shift backwards, over the hindquarters. Forward energy or "impulsion" is the key to proper movement of the mounted horse. When your horse shifts his weight backwards and drives his hip deep under him, it is called "collection."

    • 2

      Make contact between the bit and the horse's mouth. Insist that the horse yield the bit and "break" at the poll, dropping his face to vertical. Feel for light but firm contact with the horse's mouth through the reins and the bit. In counteraction to the impulsion of driving the horse forward with your legs, this restraining of the forward movement is what causes the horse to shift his weight back more firmly, leading to the collection.

    • 3

      Signal the horse to move farther forward with your legs, driving more firmly than before, while restraining his forward movement with the bit and reins. The greater the collection achieved, the easier it will be for your horse to elevate his forehand and achieve the levade.

    • 4

      Feel the horse's action and movement through the seat and your butt and legs. Release the pressure of your hands on the reins and bit as the horse's forehand leaves the ground, but continue driving with your legs. Continuing to pull on the reins at this point is a sure way to cause the horse to fall over backward on top of you.

    • 5

      Lean forward at the waist as the horse rears, in order to stay centered in the saddle and not fall backward out of the saddle. This will allow you to maintain your seat without the necessity of "hanging" on the reins. This can keep your horse's mouth soft and supple, while also preventing the rear from turning into a backward fall.