Horse Training Tips: Keep Your Horse from Rearing and Pulling

Horse training methods are varied as the horses and handlers that train them. They range from strong arm, brutal tactics to the opposite end of the scale, which is more gentle, humane and respectful. Clearly, the differences in horse training methods are vast and notable.

Pain and intimidation have been the backbone of horse training methods for centuries, especially in the American west where horses are highly effective on the huge ranches of the west. Techniques such as snubbing a horse to a post and "sacking them out," to running horses in mindless circles until exhausted are sadly still alive and well in parts of the U.S. today.

A good trainer would start with making a lasting first impression by simply giving in to the animal. I call it bonding. Native Americans believed that by letting the horse take in your sent, by blowing your breath into the horses nose, will allow the horse to get to know you and trust you better. Taking the time to love on the horse pays big rewards only minutes later as the horse eagerly chooses to give back and enjoy performing and engaging with it's trainer. It is truly magical. Like most animals, a young horse will more easily adapt to human expectations than an older one, so human handling of the horse from a very early age is generally advised.

Whether you are working a seasoned horse or training a young colt who's confused about what you want from him, there may come a time when the horse suddenly starts rearing up or pulling away. Horses can rear and pull for a number of reasons, but fear is usually the main trigger. A horses natural instinct is to run away from danger, so if the horse has been frightened enough and feels trapped, rearing and pulling becomes a real possibility.

Your reaction to the horses rearing and pulling, will depend on whether your horse starts rearing and pulling while you are riding him or leading him on the ground. If your horse rears while you are riding him, the very first thing you should do is lean forward, give the reins some slack and hold on tight to the horses neck or mane. Talk to your horse using a calm voice to regain the horses attention and get him to focus on you. As soon as his front legs return to the ground, encourage him to move forward. A horse that is moving does not have the ability to rear or pull, if the distraction works and the horse is on the move again, the episode may be over.

If your horse starts rearing and pulling while being led, you should immediately get away from the horses front legs to avoid his kicking hooves. It is safer for the trainer or owner to get behind the horses shoulders and out of striking range of the rearing horse. As the trainer, you'll need to resist the erg to pull the horse back down with the reins. Your horse will only see this as an attack and will continue to rear and pull in the opposite direction to escape the situation.

Sometimes a horses rearing and pulling is simply a test to see which one of you has the dominant position in the relationship. Pain may also be a cause of rearing and pulling by your horse. An ill fitting bit can cause discomfort and pressure when the rider pulls on the reins, causing your horse to instinctively pull back and rear up to relieve the pain.

Whatever the reason behind your horses rearing and pulling, always remember that horses are very large creatures that do not have the same mental capabilities as we humans do. Always use caution when dealing with a rearing or pulling episode, and never revert to violence, this will only agitate the horse more.

References for this article came from horsetips.com and horsechannel.com