{"id":13553,"date":"2022-04-30T12:23:28","date_gmt":"2022-04-30T16:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/?p=13553"},"modified":"2022-04-30T12:23:30","modified_gmt":"2022-04-30T16:23:30","slug":"horse-standing-on-hind-legs-rearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/horse-standing-on-hind-legs-rearing\/","title":{"rendered":"What Causes a Horse to Stand on Its Hind Legs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It will unnerve most riders to have their horse standing on hind legs (especially when they didn’t anticipate or ask for this behavior!). Rearing, as it is more commonly called, is a behavior we normally see in the wild with stallions when they stand up on their hind legs and kick out at each other while fighting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when you’re not in the wild… Why would your horse stand on its hind legs, and how can you stop this dangerous behavior?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    What Is Rearing in Horses?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    To start, I always tell people to remember there is a difference between rearing and bucking<\/strong>. When a horse bucks, they kick out backward<\/span>. A rearing horse, however, will raise their front end off the ground, kicking out its front<\/span> legs with both front feet off the ground while its body is erect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In most cases, this is aggressive behavior from an animal that is nervous or scared. It can also be a sign of defiance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While stallions can perform this move in a fight, it is dangerous for a person to face a rearing horse that could easily harm them. Sometimes, a handler might barely escape with their life if a horse rears and kicks out at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It can be scary to watch a horse standing up on its hind legs. However, it’s not always <\/em>something dangerous. Trick horses are trained to balance on their hindquarters, raise their head and front legs, and kick out or even start walking forward on command. A Google search can show you trick trainers like Ben Atkinson’s Action Riders<\/a>, who train horses for shows with rearing and jumping acrobatics. These show animals can draw chariots, break shields, and leap into the air while kicking backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Horses Rearing: The Why and How<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    There are several reasons why horses may rear up. Sometimes, horses will rear while you lead them if you pull the bit back too hard while riding them (which might hurt their mouth). Or they may rear up if they get kicked by the horse ahead of them. A horse that has a saddle fit problem or is in pain may also rear up when ridden in this condition. (Click here<\/a> for our guide to making sure you measure correctly for your saddle.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Horses need to be incredibly powerful to rear up on their hindquarters, bracing their body weight on their hind legs while they kick out with their front feet. While rearing up, a horse may even balance on one hoof or jump forward while resting their full weight on a heel as they raise their head upwards even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If a horse standing up on their hind legs ever requires your intervention, be aware that tapping the horse on its lower legs with a whip will not<\/span> stop the rearing, but rather provoke it. Likewise, before you discipline what you may see as dangerous behavior, you should consider whether rearing and striking out are signs of pain and discomfort. Trying to discipline your horse’s rearing behavior may just make it worse!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Can Horses Sit Down? (And What Does It Mean When They Do?)<\/a><\/blockquote>