oops. Tommie's web is .net,  not .com!

www.equineextremist.net/tommie_turvey.htm

I have a horse that I trained to rear (I was 11 and I was bored - It seemed like a good idea). It has not made him unsafe, nor have any accidents occured because of this. This is because I am a responsible horse owner and I explain how his buttons work to anyone who rides him. If I were to ever sell him, his new owner would be advised as well. If you still have the desire to train your horse to rear, I would advise that you do not perform the trick on a regular basis.

I agree. If you still want to do it, here is how it worked for me:

I started work by asking him to back - but only 1-1.5 steps, then I would kiss and squeeze for him to go foward. It took a while, but he eventually got a little jump to his step when he would go foward. To refine his movement, and to get the vertical(ness) of the rear, I would raise my rein hand slightly and slowly when I asked him. He was in a hackamore or halter when I was doing this, I'm not sure if this would work if your horse needs a bit. At any rate, over a period of a few weeks, he was able to get the concept. *Always let your horse move foward after he has landed*

The finished cue (for him) is as follows: 1. raise rein hand 2. kiss and squeeze slightly

The reason he has been controllable with this cue is that it is a 3 part cue  - if you (only) raise your rein hand, he will back. If you (only) kiss, he moves foward. If you (only) squeeze, he looks at you like you're an idiot.  

If you are planning on teaching your horse, the key is patience. It can mean the difference between a trick rear or an "I'm scared and defensive" rear. Take little steps, and it will be well worth it.

Also, take the initiative and educate the people who may ride said horse. This will make his trick much more enjoyable to you and to others (so they aren't surprised)

Lastly, as I said in a previous post, don't perform the trick on a regular basis. Doing so would result in a greater danger for both you and the horse. Have Fun!

I think it's because they get to like it more and therefore do it more... like a horse that is allowed to run through every field - they enjoy it and soon they are running through every field whether you like it or not.

I have been reading everyone's responses with great interest on this particular forum.  First let me say I agree with almost everyone's response:  Why would you want to teach something to a horse that could possibly "hurt" someone?  Do you realize that you would be responsible for another person's injury if that were to happen?  No responsible, ethical horse trainer I know would take on that liability.  Do some of you feel it is okay to also teach a horse to "kick" or "buck" on command?  We must always be mindful that we as horse owners are responsible for our animals behavior ....safety should always come first.

Also, I would like to respond to Lynne0202.  As this is an  open forum  and all responses and opinions are welcome.......what a coincidence that I found yours to be the most judgemental of all.

While I know sometimes message boards can get judgemental and dogmatic, it seems to me that if you have to get advice on so complicated and dangerous a task from a bunch of strangers, you are already in over your head.

The best advice to give to the OP is if you're intent on pursuing this course, hire a repsected trainer and make sure you have experienced horse people around you to guide you on your path. If any responsible horse trainer or owner will sign on, well, good luck. I'm more concerned about the horse. You, at least, have free will.

We all have our own opinions. My personal opinion is that unless you know how too sit when they rear  then you have a huge possibilty of hurting both yourslef and your horse. Also while asking for someone to give advice on teaching a hore to rear you should also ask them about teaching a down command that can be used from both the ground and seated.  True laws o gravity state that what goes up must come down but i would rather have some control over both ends. The down command is sooo much more important than the up for one main simple reason if the horse recognizes it from either the ground or seat should he for some reason be cued accidentally to go up you can bring him down even if the rider  has a slight panic fit. Therefore making things a little safer. This is only dangerous if you are irresponsible in training and execution of it. All matter's with horses  have their prospective dangers. Also each of us percieve these danger's to a different degree. Some believe teaching a horse to take a 90 degree turn is dangerous other's thing it is fun. SO to each thier own. I will not give advice on how to train your horse to go up or down as one is connected to the other. I refuse to take the chance that my advise may hurt someone. Without knowing their background with horses and more importantly having seen them actually both work and ride with horses it would be irresponsible of me to try and state how exactly to do this task. That's MHO folks, anyone who feeels like explaining to the OP  how to do these tasks feel free to. I have nothing against you advising them but be careful because sometimes a lil advice no matter how well meant or well given can go wrong. This i would suggest be taught by a trainer. Both rider and horse should be taught this not just one or the other because both have their part in the balance process.

~Ree