my 3yr old appendix quater horse

Question
hi i have a 3 yr old appendix quater horse gelding (storm) that i have had since he was 2 yrs old,i halter broke him and everything hes had about fifty days of training and when i first started he reared once and i started ground driving for a month straight 3 times a week we rode threw the winter bout twice weekly but not more than an hr bareback and hes was perfect no problems nothing then we started riding longer and out back on the trails and he started to crow hop once in while when he didnt want to do what i asked i in return mad him do cirlces each way then he quites,but yesterday he rode for about an hour on the trailes no problem a gentleman,he had a break then we went for 2 hour ride down the country roads he did very well the first hour he loaped on coman troting and walk when asked then all off a sudden he stoped reared bucked and spun harder and higher than i have ever had once i got him settled and to stand,(i attempted to do circles but we almost went sideways in the ditch) wonder if its time for a stronger bit hes in a snaffle) so once he stoped i got off walked him to calm myself and him down got back on and he was fine,since we did turn around once i calmed him. hes favorite horse buddie is due in the end of may or june sometime and he protects her and loves her so much they cry for each other and muzzle each other when we get back,but hes never been buddie sour hes whined for her but never attempted to rear or run away on me,so im very confused hes been beside her alot latly since we got another gelding and his mare got kicked really bad but she ok and is carrying alrite but now when hes around he wont leave her sight or let anyone around her,yesterday we went the farthest we haver ever gone from his mare we were bout 2 miles away he couldnt hear or see her so i dunno why all of a sudden he acted up so badly if u have any advice or what i can do to stop this rearing and bucking,and i do believe ther are 2reason for a horse to get a love tap biting and rearing but i have never hit storm.please help

Answer
Hi Miranda,

It sounds like you've done a great job with Storm and I respect how you are handling your current challenges. First thing I'd do is have a vet check done, be sure to include his teeth. Next confirm you tack all fits, has he grown recently, gained or lost weight, etc. Last, it almost sounds as if he's a bit barn sour and also that when he gets tired (ie: you ride him a bit longer than normal), he gets a bit irritated. My first suggestion (after the vet/tack check) is to separate him from the mare. He's liable to start becoming protective of her in an almost "stallion" like way and that's not healthy. I'd keep him in a snaffle, and continue to use the tools you have been. I'd switch things up a bit on him....make going out on the trail fun and relaxing and coming home to the arena/round pen work. So let's say you are having a great trail ride, you come home and he sees the mare and gets silly, head straight for the round pen and trot his little but off, lots of circles, rollbacks, get him working and using the thinking side of his brain. Then go out for a nice relaxing trail ride again. I suggest the same thing when people have horses who rush back to the barn...instead of getting back to the barn and un-tacking them, make them work. Suddenly rushing home will not be as appealing. As far as the rearing goes, first of all, wear a helmet at all times and take someone with you. Accidents happen to the best of riders. Next your idea of pulling his head around and moving his body is great, that's exactly what I'd suggest. Add some two-tracking/sidepassing, back him in circles, anything to get those feet moving and engage the thinking side of his brain. If he continues to rear up or if you have any concern for your safety, enlist the help of a trainer, it's just not worth the risk and sometimes someone on the ground can spot things, that you  might not have noticed. I hope this helps and hang in there, it sounds as if you've done an excellent job, you should be proud of yourself.

Happy Trails,

Jen