Posted 2005-09-25 2:39 PM (#30944 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico
Why do you want to teach that? It could be very dangerous. If not for you then for anyone who may be around him later that accidently gives the command.
Posted 2005-09-26 9:51 AM (#30974 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 40
Location: Maryland
Bad idea..I had a friend years ago that had a horse that would rear on command. One day an unskilled rider rode the horse put to much pressure on it's mouth and it reared then rider freaked, then horse flipped! So think about it!!
Posted 2005-09-26 11:27 AM (#30983 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 207
Location: Illinois
I must agree with the others. Be careful what bad habit you teach your horse, it might not always be appreciated by everyone. IF you plan on keeping him for the rest of his life, and being the sole rider, then maybe it's not so bad, but a trick is nothing more than a re-inforced bad habit!
Check out Tommie Turvey's web site www.equineextremist.com He's a trick rider/trainer that does it all. He would be the first to advise against training bad habits to your horse!
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Posted 2005-12-05 8:51 PM (#33768 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 24
Location: Celina, Ohio
My niece rode a horse that had been trained to rear. Well he reared and went right back over on her and broke her pevis and to this day she walks with one leg 2 inches shorter than the other because the break when through her growth plate.BAD IDEA.....
Posted 2005-12-10 2:13 PM (#33934 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 2689
MPO - My Personal Opinion.
BAD IDEA !
Some folk think that many of the things that I do are also bad ideas, so...
There is a whole tricks ("discipline" ?) that includes this.
There are books about it and I'm sure you'll find something interesting from a web search for "training horses for tricks".
Trying to learn to teach while teaching a horse somehing like this may indicate some deep seated desire to take unreasonable risks, so I think the problem might be more dangerous than it seems on the surface.
Oh, the verb for web search is now "Google" - to google; you google, I google, he googles, she googles, they google, etc.
Be sure to read all the precautionary stuff you find.
Posted 2005-12-10 9:39 PM (#33949 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
Member
Posts: 28
Location: Omaha, NE
I am very interested on why you would want a horse to rear??????? More advice if you don't know how to make a horse do something maybe you shouldn't be teaching your horse to rear or anything else for that matter. I see alot of unsafe riders and they have one thing in common, for some reason (monetary/time/ignorance) they don't seek professional guidance.
Posted 2005-12-20 11:47 AM (#34235 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 50
Location: GA
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.
Posted 2005-12-22 9:57 AM (#34321 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 152
Location: Florence, SC
I don't believe the original poster asked us whether or not we thought he should teach his horse to rear on command...he asked did we know how. Quit being judgemental and answer the question.
Posted 2005-12-22 10:46 AM (#34322 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 50
Location: GA
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!
Posted 2005-12-22 4:28 PM (#34338 - in reply to #34322) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 2955
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by kickshaw44 on 2005-12-22 10:46 AM
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'm curious... Why would it be more dangerous on a regular basis?? Injury to the horse?
Posted 2005-12-23 10:47 AM (#34363 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 455
Location: Ontario - east of TO
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.
Posted 2005-12-23 7:35 PM (#34371 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 50
Location: GA
It is exactly for the reason the previous poster stated.
Also, keep in mind that asking a horse to literally "stand" on his haunches requires a great deal of effort on the horses part - horses that have weak or arthritic hind ends would be able to perform the trick on a less than regular basis.
Posted 2005-12-24 10:49 PM (#34384 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 127
Location: PA
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.
Posted 2005-12-27 6:13 AM (#34408 - in reply to #30901) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 152
Location: Florence, SC
Beth, you may take it as you like.
Judgemental - Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or involving judgment
2 : characterized by a tendency to judge harshly
You, myself, nor anybody else has the right to tell someone else what to do with their animals as long as those animals are well cared for. You don't know what his situation is with this horse nor do you know the circumstances regarding the post. Like I said before, he didn't ask us what our opinions were on the act just how to perform it. You may not want your horse to rear on command...same as I don't want mine running full speed into an arena (imagine the look on the cow's face when the barrel racer fulls blasting in), but we all have the right to teach them what we want them to know.
I supposed no one other than myself ever goes to see and appreciates the Lippizan Stallions. Cause, my god, what would happen if your companion went into an area with a horse that knows how to buck!!!!
Posted 2005-12-27 12:11 PM (#34427 - in reply to #34408) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico
I've seen the Lippizans perform. They are beautiful. But they are show horses not pleasure horses. They have trainers/handelers that are used to the cues and how to respond to a horse rearing up or jumping.
Posted 2005-12-27 2:00 PM (#34429 - in reply to #34408) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 1719
Location: PA
Because the OP did not give us any idea of his age or his training and riding ability, I feel that the responses advising him NOT to train the horse to rear were appropriate. To teach someone, especially a novice, how to train a potentially dangerous trick would not be very responsible.
Posted 2005-12-27 8:58 PM (#34440 - in reply to #34429) Subject: RE: Teaching a horse to rear on command
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Posts: 87
Location: Perry, Georgia
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.