Teaching a horse to rear can be very dangerous. Do not attempt this if you are not an industry professional. Horses can climb very high, lean backwards and fall on you. It could be fatal to you and / or harmful to the horse. This means that you must be careful during training and work with a trainer if you are not an expert.
Steps
Step 1. Drive your horse to a quiet place so he can focus only on you
Step 2. Stand in front of the horse at the height of his head (if you are not tall enough, get on some support)
Step 3. Raise one arm with a horse prize in hand and say the command "up"
The horse will stretch its neck to grab the prize. Reward the horse and compliment him as soon as he grabs the prize.
Step 4. Continue in this way making the horse climb higher and higher until it "rears" to reach the prize
Step 5. Now you can ride it
Step 6. Use the same command ("su")
If the horse does not respond, squeeze your legs, pull the reins back slightly and apply pressure with your body on the saddle. Keep saying the "up" command the entire time until the horse responds.
Step 7. As soon as the horse stands up, even if only a few inches, decrease any pressure (loosen the reins and reduce the pressure exerted by your body on the saddle and legs)
Reward the horse with numerous compliments and many prizes.
Step 8. Continue in this way until the horse gains confidence and rears on command
Over time, you will be able to use the "more" command and make it rise higher with light pressure.
Method 1 of 2: Alternative Method 1
Step 1. Take some old stirrups and loop the rope around the horse's front legs, but don't tie it
This way you can loosen the rope at any time.
Step 2. Take a dressage whip and tap the ground lightly in front of the horse
You can position yourself in front of the horse at the same distance as when leading him to the lead.
Step 3. The horse may get slightly nervous, so reassure him, tap the whip on the ground and lift it up (not in the direction of the horse's face)
Sometimes, this method works best if you point your horse to a corner and stand sideways.
Step 4. In a short time, it will no longer be necessary to tie him and you can stand by his side while saying the same command
Step 5. You can teach your horse to rear even without riding it
Step 6. Have two people assist you who will hold the horse with two lead lines attached to the halter
The assistants will each have to position themselves on one side with their own lead.
Step 7. Wave the dressage whip in the air in front of the horse's muzzle and say the command "up"
If he doesn't react, tap the horse's chest and say the "up" or "wheelie" commands. If he doesn't answer, hit the ground with the whip and wave his arms. Most horses respond to the command and rear. After a few tries, your horse will too.
Method 2 of 2: Alternative Method 2
Step 1. Lift the horse's foreleg and reward him with a treat
Step 2. Lift the horse's foreleg and push it backwards
Reward him with a prize.
Step 3. Keep repeating these steps until the horse understands that your goal is to pull him back by raising his front legs
It may be necessary to repeat the same exercise over and over for weeks before reaching the goal.
Advice
- Do not punish your horse if, after a small wheelie, he immediately puts his legs back on the ground. The horse needs to develop certain muscles to rear, so it may be slowed down at first.
- Always reward the horse to let him know he is working well.
- Try to be as stable as possible in the saddle so as not to unbalance the horse.
Warnings
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Very important: do not throw yourself backwards during the wheelie!
The horse could fall backwards and crush you, especially in the Western riding. If the horse falls backwards, the saddle horn could pierce your chest and cause you serious damage or even kill you.
- Be patient otherwise you risk making the horse nervous and it will try to unseat you during the wheelie.
- Do not teaching the horse to wheelie if it is not fully trained, comfortable with the saddle and well behaved.
- For the surge, use a different command from the others. If you pull the reins to make the horse stop, don't use the same command to make him rear, as the horse will rear every time you ask him to stop. Make the command something completely different.
- Do not hit the horse if it does not perform the exercise properly because it could react against you!
- Horses can be unpredictable once they master the technique. If you intend to sell the horse, you must inform the new owner of this habit and the commands you have taught him, otherwise he may believe that he has purchased a "crazy" horse.
- Important: Do not expect a newly purchased horse to rear right away because a certain type of training is required.
- Some horses, once they have mastered the technique, will try to rear up all the time.
- Don't sink never spur heels (or heels only) into the horse's body or violently tug on the reins. It is a cruel practice and is a manifest form of animal abuse.
- Working with large animals carries risks. Always wear a helmet and adequate protection. Practice with a horse with a calm character and under the supervision of an expert.
- Never work alone with the horse because if either horse gets hurt you will need help.
