Hi Misty Blue,
I saw an old post of yours regarding re-training pony rearers… Would you have a minute to offer some thoughts on this for my fella? So, my new-ish man, who is 14.2 (so technically a pony, though he’s a Morgan), demonstrated some not so nice behavior on a hunter pace yesterday, rearing several times because I would not let him go running after the group in front of us. OOOOOOhhhhh, temper! Several bucks, several not-at-all-ambiguous kicks, and a few rears, one of which was scary. Stinker. (He is a combination of adorable and stunningly beautiful, and had been doing nothing but sitting in a field with a closed herd that he’s known for 18 years, and spending 6 weeks as a summer camp horse, with other herd members, for the last 12 years. You get the picture.) This was his first hunter pace with me, and we had a steady Eddie buddy, though he had never met our teammates before. He came back to me eventually after it had been a bit since he could see the other horses, but, he was mad for a good 15 minutes. He had been perfect on the ride up until then, and was perfect after he settled, but, still. It was a nervous 15 or 20 minutes. He probably has never been on a ride with horses going past him, leaving him behind, etc. because at camp, I bet all the horses would stay together on trail rides.
A small, “scare the kid” rear had been his M.O. when he didn’t want to go forward when I first got him, a few months ago, but we quickly concluded that debate. Yesterday’s rearing was because I wouldn’t let him go forward the way he wanted to, and he was furious. Very unlike him; he is usually all about the work. I have never seen him angry before.
Noble has made HUGE strides, from being a horse in a familiar herd out in a big pasture 24/7 with no one riding him for months, to going to live in a small barn with only three other horses, nicely going out on trails alone, etc. He is a cutie and wants to be a partner (most of the time). I work with a wonderful trainer who I’m sure will have some tips. But, I wondered if you might be willing to share some thoughts on correcting the rearing behavior, from your experience with opinionated equines? I don’t want to die. 
Any mistake Noble has made with me has been a clear result of herd-bound-ness. We have had a couple sessions with a groundwork trainer and they have helped immensely, but I’m assuming we need to do more. What would you advise for correcting the rearing? It might just be an issue of practice and exposure, but, I’d be grateful for any assistance you might be willing to offer.
And if you prefer not to give advice over the internet, I completely understand!
Thank you,
Sharon
