Rearing....HELP

I have a QH stally....the other day we were working in the out door arena and he reared and sruck me...it was really scary, he did it the other night too....I was asking to to back up in the stall and he pinned his ears and tryed to strike me.(he didnt rear just struck out) I dono what to do please help!!!

Sara

Get after him. He is taking advantage of the situation and trying to over-power you and its working. Take a whip and crack him real hard next time he does that. Don't let him have power over you. Don't let him scare you. That kind of behavior is not exceptable, especially from a stallion.

I don't know how long you have had him or how old he is, but I hate to say that if you do not know how to react to that behavior, it would be better for you not to have a stallion. I am not meaning to be rude, but I am concerned for you and the horse. How much training experience do you have?

Stallions are narurally more prone to these things, and I you do not know how to react to it immediately, it can create a very powerful and dangerous animal.

If he is not REALLY stallion quality (which I would question based on this behavior and attitude), I would suggest that you consider gelding him - doing so will eliminate his drive for a lot of these typically stallion behaviors. If he really is stallion quality, I would consider A) selling him or B) hiring a trainer for yourself and him.

Delete has the right idea, except that your reaction really depends on the horse and the situation. Some horses are much more sensitive than others, and respond differently to different actions. Some people do what delete suggested. Some people drive the horse immediately forward and work them in circles until they are really breathing and starting to think, "man I don't want to do that again". Some people use the upward/hind action, and push it farther to intimidate the horse into not desireing to do that action again (when they rear, stay at a clear distance and swing the lead, a whip, anything, be big, be loud, and drive them backwards hard, this will in turn, really make them think about doing the action again). The last suggestion CAN NOT be done with some horses, as they will go over backwards. SO, I really feel that you need the advice of someone physically there who has the experience and ability to address this.

Stallions need to be worked as much, if not more than other horses. Stallions require very strict discipline and a strong knowledge base of anyone handling them. Stallions must be held to the highest expectations as far as manners go. Stallions must be stopped from doing any negative or stallion type behaviors toward humans. A stallion handler can never relax when riding or handling the stallion because they must be aware of other horses, other people, and themselves, as the stallion is prone to doing stallion type things (biting, striking, rearing, charging) unpredictably - even the best behaved stallion. Stallions need a job or purpose. Stallions need interaction in some way with other horses.

All of that being said, people who come down TOO hard on stallions, are too strict, or unfair, create a very unhappy horse that may strike out in anger and frustration at any time.

In general, you may be perfectly capable of handling your horse as a stallion. You may be struggling with this one thing and when you fix it, things may be perfect with you and your horse forever. BUT, if any of what I have said rings true, I hope my advice has been helpful in some way.

Good luck :)

I love how you put that.

Well said, AK! I've seen the nicest and kindest stud going after us, when the mare was close to drop. That was SCARY!

Hmm well said AK. Stallions are unpredictable, and it takes a very expirenced handler to have one. I would also consider gelding him, or sending him somewhere he wont harm other people.
Be careful...

*claps* Very well said, AK. I second it all (third, fouth now?)

Wow, AK, that was really nicely put!
When in doubt about rearing stallions - go to AK!

But yeah - don't let him get away with it. It can VERY dangerous.

SMACK HIM. I am the most patient person you will ever meet but rearing is one of the things I have zero tolerance for, and I mean none. Get a crop and smack him on the neck next time he does it.

If I were near you I would gladly deal with that little issue for you. Do not let that bugger get away with it.

I want people who are comenting on my blog about rearing to know that I am a experianced horse ridder and trainer. I like all other trainers I know like to get out and talk to people and get there opinion and get ideas that have worked for other people and get out and try them. Its not like I am stupid I have had 11 years experiance with horses...they have been my liife. I am really upset about people telling me I should geld him or get rid of him. Both of thoes will not happen...I understand that stallions ARE VARY DANGEROUS. I am experianced to handle them, I have dealesd with rearing on a different level. Because the horse I was working with reared out of fright. But this time my horse was rearing for no reason. I had the vet out to check on him and see if there was any pain and he has not pain anywhere and is a VARY healthy horse. That's why I was asking my question......thanks for all your conserns and I am sorry if I sound a little or alot harsh.

Sara