AboutStallynrydr Expertise I am able to answer questions about Equine behavior and health issues. I can give educated advice about lameness and stallion management as well as tips on socializing and exhibiting a stallion in public competition. I have worked with Thoroughbreds and other Warmblood breeds for the last 20 years. I also own and manage a Sporthorse boarding facility.
Experience I have been a stallion handler for the last 20 years and I have many years experience showing English and Western horses. I have started and finished some very successful showhorses and have taught students of all ages and levels of riding ability. I have spent all of my adult life working with animals, horses being my primary focus.
Publications Practical Pet Care Horse Forums (Moderator), Practical Pet Care Farm Animal Forums (Moderator)I have just Co-Authored a Basic Wildlife Evaluation and Care training book that all Team Leaders will have on hand to refer to in our local Wildlife Center.
Education/Credentials Degree from UC Davis in Equine Physiology and management and large animal healthcare. Personaized instruction from Hilda Gurney in 1999 on Stallion handling/Kurring demonstrations with my stallion Gallant Summer. I have attended symposiums with Parelli and Lyons and I have found that my own philosophies are very similar to "Natural Horsemanship" methods of teaching a horse to understand what is being asked of it. Patience not force
Question i have a 4 year old wb x standing at 16.2 who has started a dangerous habit she has started to napp by rearing full height. I have had her teeth done and her back and tack checked all were ok, last time she reared as she put her feet on the groung i started turning her in tight circles to stop her going up again. his appeared to work but would welcome any tips you could give me as i would like to stop this now!!!
Answer Do not allow her to stop when she starts acting up. You did the right thing by putting her into a circle. As long as there is forward motion, she can not rear. She must transfer her weight to her hindquarters in order to get her front feet off the ground.
You are right it is very dangerous to be on a rearing young horse. She is inexperienced at balancing a rider and that can mean disaster if she goes over backwards with you. I have long heard people say that hitting them between the ears will make them think they hit their own head and they will stop rearing. This is NOT true. The chances of you being able to control the situation enough to be able to strike her at the perfect time are small, plus nobody can say what she will think about being hit while off balance. She very well could freak out and really become unmanageable.
My instinct tells me to keep calm and matter of fact when she starts acting out, change the game plan. Turn her to the left or turn her to the right, ask her to trot or put her into a canter. Make her move out actively and keep her at a working pace until she forgets she was wanting to rear up. It is better for the both of you if she decides to buck a little instead of rearing up.
You might enlist the help of a Trainer until this situation has been resolved. Most youngsters do get frustrated at some point and they try to object to the new things being asked of them. Keep your training sessions short, not more then 30 minutes of riding at a time for a while. She could have decided to start rearing because she is getting very tired while being ridden. It is mentally stressful as well as physically stressful to be asked to carry a rider and be obedient to commands.
Good luck and don't get discouraged, you have a smart girl who is expressing her displeasure the only way she thinks will work. If you cave in and stop riding her you will reinforce how well that tactic works to get you off her back... literally.
