How to Stop Rearing in Horses

If your horse rears youre in danger of being unseated fallen on or struck and the horse may lose its balance falling and injuring itself. A horse that rears while hitched to a carriage can fall on the driver and passengers cause injury to itself and destroy equipment and objects around it.
Why Do Horses Rear?
Its essential to understand why your horse is rearing before attempting to eliminate the behavior. Before considering any other causes think about the possibility of physical problems. Soreness from a poor saddle or harness fit and overgrown teeth are common problems that can make a horse act out.
Girths Poorly placed or tootight girths or cinches may make your horse cranky.
Health issues A veterinarian may be able to help you find physical problems.
Dental or vision problems Have a professional check for painful dental problems and vision problems. A horse whose teeth are bothering it or one that cant see properly may rear as a way of expressing panic.
Poor training After checking that equipment is comfortable and theres no physical reason your horse is rearing consider whether there are gaps in your horses training that could cause it to be frustrating confused or overwhelmed by what youre asking it to do.
Under or overstimulation Is your horse eating too much grain and not getting enough exercise to burn off the energy? A horse that spends most of its time out in a pasture will be less likely to blow off excess steam by rearing bolting or bucking. A horse thats bored with its routine may act out too.
What to Do If Your Horse Rears
Most often a horse will give some indication such as balking that a rear is coming which allows you a few seconds to plan your next move. Sometimes however theres no time to react.
If a horse rears while youre riding