My horse is a bucker!

[martha5499]

I adopted Ollie a few weeks ago from a rescue. He is a 15 yr old appy that is blind. I love this horse tremendously and knew when I adopted him that I might never be able to ride him because of his blindness. That doesn't seem to be the problem though. When under saddle he is constantly pulling at the bit and wants to go go go... I feel pretty safe with him on flat ground at a trot but when I give him a little rein and ask him to trot he first bucks. Sometimes just a little happy buck but sometimes a full out BUCK. Now being late 40's I know my bones won't bounce like they used to. When I rode at a much younger age, bucking didn't really scare me, now I'm very timid as I haven't been back in the saddle for long. I tried longing tonight to get him back to basics and he does the same thing. The minute I ask for a trot the bucking begins! Help please!

[HorseManiac]

Have you had all the checks done?

is he just blind in on eye?:)

[Mareish]

I agree, have the back checked and also the fit of your saddle to make sure that is not the issue :)

[vieshot]

Is that normal? Riding blind horses?

[Arowana]

If he,s not right for you , get in touch with them and they will more than likely exchange him for you for something more for you. A totally blind horse, in my eyes, (if he is totally blind) should n,t have gone out for adoption unless they vetted the partner very carefully over a considerable time.

[NoviceNic]

Does he get hard feed?? Does he need hard feed?? He may be feeling very fresh depending on what feed is being pumped into him...:confused:

Should he be ridden? Im just wondering because of the above post about him put out for adoption being blind...:confused:

[Pink's lady]

If he's blind I'm not suprised he bucks! He has no idea where he is going, no idea what's in front of him then his rider tell him to go faster! I'd try to chuck you off too! And as he's new he's not going to trust you to keep him safe yet.

Forget about trotting for now. In fact, forget about riding at all. Get him checked out physically (he may well be sore and it hurts to trot) and spend more time on the ground gaining his trust. If he can't see at all he needs to trust you 110% to be his eyes for him. Feeding him carrots and brushing his mane isn't going to gain you that trust! It will take a very long time.

And echo the others about riding him - is he to be ridden at all? Generally if you adopt something they still belong to the place you got them from and they have rules. I'd be amazed if they said he would be ok to ride!