my Pony

Question
Hi I was wondering if you coud give me some advice on my Pony. She is 14.2hh and she rears alot to get out of things if she doesnt want to go somewhere or if she doesnt get what she wants. I have had her for over a year and i broke her in last year. And it seem like no progress has been made she always rears. i have done everything i have smacked her for being bad and i have been nice to her calmed her down and asked her to walk forward. I really need some expert Advice Thanks

Answer
Sarah -
A rearing horse is a huge pain in the butt.  If they get away with it once, it just gets worse.  It requires perfect timing and patience to cure the problem.

The best advice I can give you is to stop it before it starts.  Most horses don't just start rearing.  Usually they give you a little warning.  They toss their head, stomp - something along those lines.  So the best thing you can do is learn those signs that your horse gives and then as soon as you see them, ask for a turn or to go forward.  I would not hit the horse in the front end or face - that will make him rear.

Some people will tell you to break an egg or a balloon over the horses head as it rears.  If you can carry an egg or balloon and have the clarity of mind to break it over their head as they rear - well than you are better than anyone I know.

It may be a good idea to go back to some basics like lunging.  Lunging is nice because it reinforces the idea that you tell the horse where and when to move.

Rearing is dangerous and very difficult to work through.  If you continue to have trouble, you may want to find a local trainer that can come out and see what is happening in person.  But it is very important to be able to "read" when the horse is going to rear and stop it then, rather than dealing with it after they have already reared.

Best of Luck!
Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs