Wonder what to do with Reaeing Horse

Question
QUESTION: Hi, My name is Amanda and I have asked you a question about my horse before. I was wondering what I should do know. My horse is the one who reared and flipped about two years ago and then again in October of this year. You suggested the best thing for me to do was to stop being so stressed and just part ways with Vinnie. Well I didn't. He's done nothing wrong yet but I worried he will. I am riding him again and he has done pretty well but before I got on him my trainer put a saddle on him and went to tighten it and he went over and then again the next day. She said for me to sell him, but my other trainer/Vinnie's mom wanted to try him out. He is really  good with her and also with me at home, but we went to another barn for him to get adjusted and he was acting real antsy and weird. Then on another day we had a fun show at the barn and he got antsy and wouldn't go forward and was stopping trying to test me if I thought he was going up. He didn't and I rode him in my classes but I had to work really hard. I am scared he might do it again and theres a 4-H show coming up and I don't know what I am going to do. I might just do some in hand classes, but I want to show. And I think he just doesn't want to show any more. The other problem is that his old mom loves him so much and is at my barn and would be heart broken if I gave him away, but also if I were to give him back to her, we would be in the hole $5,000 and she would probably sell him or lease him out to someone at the barn and don't want them to get hurt either. What should I do? I just don't know anymore. And even if he were to be fine I will always have it in the back of my mind that he will do it again. PLEASE tell me what to do I don't care anymore I just what the best for him and I.
 Sincerely,
         A worried 14 year old girl, Amanda
ANSWER: Hi Amanda!

Of course I remember your writing to me!  I am sorry to hear that your horse is still rearing and I just want to say again that I have not changed my mind.

You have to STOP riding him altogether....and DEFINITELY not in a show!!  To put that extra stress on him will only make him worse.

I hate to say that you spent your good money on a bad horse but, people do all the time.  I feel the wires in his head may be wrong and he just cannot be fixed, maybe not even by a professional trainer.  I have seen this before.  Anything with a brain can be crazy, just like people.

You are right that he should not be re-sold to another person.  His head is in a bad place and he will only get worse and more dangerous.

Consider giving him to a rescue organization who will allow him to be adopted out as ONLY a non-riding pasture pet or pasture buddy.

Yes, you will have lost your money.  I cannot help that you were taken advantage of but, I can help you from getting hurt or allowing someone else to get hurt.  As for his old mom at your barn, she has nothing to do with this, this is your family's responsibility.  If she is the one who sold him to you and she knew he was touched in the head, well, she should be ashamed of herself.  Especially if she was to pass him along again to another unsuspecting buyer.

Show this to your parents.  Talk it over as a family and come to the correct and safe solution.  Stop riding him, move on to another horse and try to have him placed in a non-riding home.

Amanda, I know your horse is not trying to kill you but, his intent is not important, his actions are.  And his actions are dangerous.

Do the right thing and talk to your family, OK?

Solange

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  What kind of organizations or rescues do you recommend maybe in Washington State? And have you really seen this before and if you have can you tell me a little more about it?

Answer
Hi Amanda!

I am not familiar with any horse/animal rescue organizations in WA state.  But, I am sure that you can do an Internet search for one near you.  I would also ask your vet and the manager of your local tack shop.  

You may not find an actual rescue organization but, may find a single person who may be able to take him in and let him just be a pasture horse.  As long as they completely understand his issues and are qualified to handle him.  Look around and take the time to find him the right new home.

Yes, I have seen this before.  I saw a girl your age on an American Saddlebred at a show...he was stressed and overwrought.  He flipped over on her and broke her pelvis.

I am positive that was not the first time he reared on her and it "just happened" at the show.  No, I am sure he gave all the warning signs to all the humans around him and they just ignored them because they were determined to show him.  I also saw a QH do the exact same thing in the practice ring at a 4-H show.  The young girl got a concussion and was rushed to the hospital unconscious.

Because I have seen these incidents, I do not want it to happen to you.  Your horse is trying to tell you something and you should listen to him, OK?

I know you are feeling a thousand different emotions about him and it is not easy.  Neither you nor he failed in this.  You first wrote to me last year and you have been trying ever since to sort this out.  You did all you can and now you can let him go with a clear conscience.

Take care Amanda and I wish you all the very best!

Solange