mares bad habit

Question
My son just bought a 7 yr. mare and upon trying to ride her found that after just a few seconds she would rear and deliberately roll over backwards on him.  After 3 attempts he gave up until he can find right approach to correct the problem.  What is your suggestion?

Answer
Hi Sandra!

Your son and anyone else MUST NOT TRY to ride this horse again.  Rearing to this extent is too dangerous for any rider at his point.

You did not give me much information on this horse.  Was she a brood mare and therefore really never broke to ride?  Is she broke at all?  Was she sold at auction or under suspicious conditions because the former owners knew she was a compulsive rearer?  Did he ride her prior to buying her?

This type of rearing is the worse issue any horse can have.  It is almost impossible to break them of it completely.  Often even after training it out of them, they will go back to rearing when under any kind of stress....a new farm, a show ring...anything that upsets them can set off the rearing.

I cannot suggest anything over the Internet to make her even remotely safe.  If you are bound and determined to keep her, ask your vet, farrier or tack shop to recommend a local trainer who has experience dealing with bad horses.  Have them come out and evaluate your situation and give you their honest opinion on whether this mare can be trained.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange