Rearing is a clear sign of disrespect. To gain a horse’s respect, you have to move his feet forwards, backwards, left and right and reward the slightest try. If your horse is rearing, he’s telling you that you don’t truly have his respect.
In the Horses world respecting one another, getting along, and not using power to punish, break, builds a deeper trust and respect. Earn your horse’s trust with three key groundwork exercises from trainer Julie Goodnight.
Groundwork Exercise Throw to a Stop Goal: To be able to lunge the horse in a circle around you, then throw the end of the lead rope over his topline and have him immediately relax and come to a stop, staying parallel on the circle.