shameless brag (pony pic inside!)

I decided a while back that I was going to teach my (super well-behaved) horse to rear on command (and on command only). It took a while to perfect the cue (raising the whip above my head and saying "UP!")... But by George, I think he's got it!!!

edit: well, now have two near-identical pics because I love them both XD

Weeeee thank you guys!! His understanding thoroughly enough to do it without a halter and lead rope is a recent development that we had to work on in stages and I'm super proud . It's the funnest trick everrrr to show off to friends and stuff. So *majestic*. Horse people are all BLAH BLAH NEVER TEACH THEM TO REAR THEY'LL START DOING IT ALL THE TIME AND IT'LL BE A BAD HABIT THAT'S HARD TO UNTEACH but IME that's not true if you associate it with a clear cue and firmly+consistently correct them if they do it without being asked, so. I went ahead and taught him and he only uses his powers for good and I have zero regrets.

And really the cue isn't even so much raising the whip and saying "up"... It's putting him in a spot, holding a finger up and telling him "wait" while I back up a few steps to get out of the way, and THEN asking for the rear. He won't do it if you're just chilling next to him where he could hit you. You can see him sitting back and getting ready while I'm backing up lol, it's super cute. ("Wait" is only for the rear, otherwise I use "stay")

atombaby said:

Beautiful horse, awesome accomplishment! You know your horse best, and the experts aren't going to make the rules for your relationship. Very nice, want more pictures!

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Thank you!! And I am ALWAYS happy to spam pics of my boy, muahaha.

edit: eeeek sorry they're huge :| I pulled them off fb because the laptop with my pics on it is out for repairs.






(Here we are together )

HAH, that is too funny. I toyed with the idea of teaching him to do it under saddle but couldn't think of a good cue - I don't want to "install any buttons" that anyone could push on accident, you know. A lot of kids/beginners ride him. (I'm happy to share, and occasionally do half-leases and stuff)

It was warm that day. Then it jumped to 19 with a wind chill of 9 and it's supposed to snow this week. North Carolina weather can never make up its mind.

I only blanket when I clip (usually my other horse, when he's showing - he gets body clipped because you have to for halter) - their winter coats do a great job on their own as long as they have hay and room to move, and I figure if Canadian horses can be perfectly happy with 3" of snow on their backs (not melting, bc of the winter coat's air pocket/insulating effect) and icicles hanging off their manes, my horses are A-OK here hahaha.

Ahhhh thank you atombaby and TAMaxwell! I've had him for 13 years this year (he's turning 15) and he is my pride and joy.

You guys wanna see my other one?

Jesus H! Okay, yeah , I'd blanket in that too. That's intense.

PastyAlien said:

Oh my heaven -- that's always how I envisioned the Black Stallion!

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Hehe, thank you. That book is what made me want a black Arab starting when I was a kid! Buying him was a huge wish fulfillment fantasy thing, lol.

Very pretty girl! I have a friend with a BLM horse. They're hardy little things!