Why my horse rears and bucks while I am leading?

I have a 5 year old.... who is a very sweet horse, but has recently has a OVERLOAD of nerveis energy!!! as soon as I take him out of his stall and put the lead on he gets all tense and puts his head high, then starts walking at a very fast pace in circle around me then eather rears or bucks (while I have the lead ...).we are just coming out of winter, I don't know if the cool weather has anything to do with the behavior? I do not believe that his problem is fear based.....so how to I fix it?

Why my horse rears and bucks while I am leading?
I would stop this behavior before it gets worse...and that is what you are wanting to do...good!





It does sound like he has an abundance of energy...but he still needs to 'obey' the rules. Walking beside you and no where else...and definitely on 4 legs!!





First, you stay calm. The second...and I mean the second he starts to push past you. Whoa him, and back him up. You may not even get out of the stall. If he 'gets in your bubble' or your personal space...immediately back him up. He'll get it. You already said he was a good horse, and this is something recent.





By doing this, his attention will be focused on you...because he needs to pay attention...in case you will be backing him up. With his attention on you...he 'forgets' to buck and rear and be silly.





I would do the same for the bucking and rearing. But I bet he does the 'pushing' and running in circles around you first. Stop that first, again...by backing him immediately. Just a few steps, and then turn around and walk off like nothing happened. But keep an eye on him, so you are ready to react as soon as he begins to misbehave.





I also use the words..."back off" Mine know that means they need to back away from me. You can pick whatever command or noise you want to use...when you back him away from you.
Reply:He probably needs to get his energy out. I would suggest lunging him a few times a week for maybe 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Also, for things like this, more ground work is usually needed, so i would suggest that too.





Guess who?'s (person above me) method works for dealing with the problem when it happens. Its a good way to show him that he needs to slow down and walk with you at your pace.
Reply:Did he stay in a lot over winter? Sometimes when horses stay in and don't get much play time they build up too much energy so when they do get out they get a bit too jolly. Has he been clipped? If so is he warm enough or even if he hasn't been clipped does he have enough rugs on to keep him warm with the cold weather. Does he get enough exercise? Have you changed his feed? If so maybe think of getting him on a feed with less oats or slow release energy. If he gets harder to handle try a chifney as a temperary safety measure to help you control him when leading until you find out the reason for his outbursts.
Reply:A lot of it is probably the cold weather. Stop him the second he tries to walk past you, whoa him. A quick downward jerk on the lead rope may help, when you lead him stop walking often, and always stop him one step behind you. It will take a little time, but he will eventually learn.
Reply:Sounds like he needs more turnout time. Try keeping him at pasture 10 -12 hours during the day. 24/7 would be even better! That young of a horse needs lots of exercise. If he can't have that extra turn out time you will have problems with him. Lunge him before you try to work with him. At least 15 minutes in each direction to work the extra energy out. Good Luck!
Reply:My 5y/o TB does the same thing when I let him out of the his stall to eat grass or go to get him ready to be rode, I think that he just playing from where he has been kept up and not be out due to the bad weather.....If he is out he dosent do it as often but since the weather has been kinda bad he has been up in his stall and now when I go to get him out he does it to. ope this helps you out some
Reply:maybe its what you are feeding him. sometimes the food you give them can hype them up and make them difficult to handle. it could also be how much you are feeding him (trying to keep him in condition during the cold weather). maybe try to reduce the amount of feed you are giving him or give him food that has less energy stuff in it. oats and mare cubes always make my horse a little hyper when i give him too much. i hope this helps and is different to what other people have told you, oh and good luck!
Reply:it is called "spring fever"but luckly it is not a disease.he is just saying"its spring and ive been cooped up,where are the other horses to play with" the days are getting longer and he will have a lot of pent up energy that needs to be released but he still needs to learn manners.in the spring i will break out the rope halters or the "be nice"halters just because of this.when a horse throws his head up like yours and starts to dance they are saying"look at me" he needs to be turned out with some other horses or be ran into the round pen for a little release of energy.sunshine and exercise is the only cure for "spring fever"
Reply:i wud just work through it sounds like hes just feeling very good and fresh
Reply:You are doing the first thing to fix this issue which is looking for answers.





You have already eliminated the first source which is fear. So that you bring us to the second, which is pent up engery. He is a young horse and has more energy that we will ever know:) It has been a rough winter and even when they get out, they can't play as hard as usual. The rushing, rearing and bucking are a way to expend that energy. He wants out and is letting you know in no uncertain terms.





Yes you need to refocus this energy (as previously mentioned) and not allow these to become habits. These can be dangerous behaviors for both of you. Hopefully until you get to work it out, he only goes straight up and bucks with no kick-outs.





My OTTB had these same issues when he was younger as well as my clydesdale cross this winter. Natural horsemanship works wonders, even if you only work on the beginning stuff, it is well worth trying.





Good luck! The is light at the end of the tunnel and spring is coming :)
Reply:when he starts walking faster than you wnat you should get onto him, if he still doesnt listen back him up and continue. if you dont let one thing happen it cant lead to another, (you can't put out the forest fire that hasnt started) The cold can make them energetic, it gets there blood flow up helping warm them, so it could be that...your judgement on that. Talk to a trainer if this doesnt work...GOOD LUCK
Reply:he just seems nervous, i suggest getting some one in to exaine him, you could try natural horseman ship, it worked with all my tbs and i have had a lot haha
Reply:you cannot fix rearing and bucking.





they are extrimly dangerous vices that could kill or seriously injure you or someone around you, and once they start, they never stop.





the horse is in serious danger of hurting himself too.








your horse will rear and buck now until the end of his days so either get rid of him or call the vet because it may be some from of hereditry progressive neurology problem which means he could be very sick.





sorry. :(