Horse Training Tips: Stop Pulling and Rearing

Horse trainers, horseback riders and horse show judges highly value horses that willingly accept the bridle, bit and rider. A horse that moves forward in an easy frame with a pleasing rhythm is a joy to ride and to observe.

On the other hand, a horse that pulls hard on the reins, or even rears upward, can be downright dangerous. A rearing horse can dump a rider in the dirt, or even flip himself over backwards, potentially causing major injuries.

Perhaps the Lone Ranger's trusty horse Silver looked fancy and impressive, rearing upright and neighing loudly, but this movement is not desirable for more horseback riding.

How can an equestrian stop a horse from pulling and rearing?

Certainly, the best training tactic is prevention. If a horse is handled and ridden correctly, he is far less likely to develop the perilous practices of pulling and rearing. Beyond this initial stage, five basic steps should help to keep a horse from pulling and rearing.

Pulling and rearing can be considered either defensive or offensive moves, on the part of the horse, depending upon the cause of these behaviors. Either way, a horse that pulls or rears can unseat a rider in an instant, so these tactics must be halted immediately.

Test for Trauma

When a horse misbehaves while working, either in-hand or under saddle, the first step the handler or rider must take is to evaluate the horse's physical condition. If a horse is injured, he may be expected to behave differently than when he is sound.

A compliant equine that suddenly begins displaying aggressive or dangerous behavior, such as pulling or rearing, may very well be uncomfortable for some physical reason.

Turn in the Tack

Ill-fitting tack often leads to equine misbehavior. A sharp edge, broken strap, dangling buckle, too-tight girth, harsh bit or other technical problem may distract or alarm a horse into pulling or rearing. Even a small burr, stuck on the bottom of a saddle pad, can lead to big problems.

In most cases, if the tack is the issue, the horse's behavior will quickly resolve, once the problem has been fixed.

Training Tactics

Most often, however, pulling and rearing are a horse's response to too-tight reins or too-busy hands on the part of the rider. Handlers who work with long lines may find horses pulling or rearing when side reins are applied too tightly.

Basically, if a horse feels trapped or pulled in too tightly up front, his only defense is to pull or go upright.

However, a horse that is introduced gradually to rein pressure and poll flexion can be conditioned, over time, to bend willingly and compliantly. Forcing the issue too early is often the root of rearing and pulling.

Smart horse trainers understand that young horses, beginning their schooling, often need simply to learn to go forward willingly until they gain balance and rhythm in their gaits. Handlers and riders who open the door for this movement, so to speak, may go a long way toward preventing pulling and rearing.

Later, as horses gain balance and confidence, they can learn to bend more easily to increased rein pressure.

Try Some Transitions

Equestrian trainers trumpet the value of transitions for schooling horses in the gaits (walk, trot, canter and gallop). Transitions, quite simply, are the changes from one gait to another and back again. This practice helps the handler or rider to retain the horse's attention and compliance, while building his physical conditioning.

A fit horse that pays close attention to his confident, but gentle, handler or rider is less likely to develop such bad habits as pulling or rearing.

Take in Temperament

Of course, some horses simply will insist on behaving aggressively. Some will bite, buck, pull or rear. Sadly, a small percentage of horses may refuse to accept training, particularly by a novice or amateur equestrian. In such cases, it's time to consult professional assistance or perhaps to look for another mount, rather than risk serious injury to both horse and rider.