bucking

[pint size121]

i ride a 7yr old partarab gelding who was backed the end of last year, recently he has started bucking for no APPARENT reason he is ridden by 3 different people so i was wondering if this had anything to do with it, he is ridden by me (14) an adult and a 7 year old child
i really need some help as his owner keeps saying its his age but he is getting really out of control for everyone all advice would be appreciated (spelling) p.s if any one knows of anyone in wiltshire that needs help with there pony/horse please p.m me.

p.s we have had his saddle checked

[galadriel]

I would highly doubt that it's his age. A horse who's been properly introduced to saddle should be fine whether started at age 3 or age 13.

I would suspect that either this horse is very confused (training issue) or is in pain (tack issue). If it's a physical issue, then various speciliialists vcan help you to determine what is going on: saddle fitter, therapeutic massage specialist, chiropractor, vet. If it's a training issue, then he probably needs to be taken back to the beginning by ONE rider, and given patient education until he is less insecure and anxious.

[alliecatalex]

I dont know what it could be if you have checked his saddle..but I ride a horse who is 10yrs old and she always bucks when I ride her. I dont know why, its usually when I trot her in the beginning of riding her. (she has way too much energy!) I have to lunge her before I ever get on her or else she will just randomly buck when I ride her. So, I am not quite sure....I think that it may just be her attitude becuase some days she will be perfectly fine.

[Jojo_82]

Hi there!

For years I have ridden a professional bucker. Like you we had his saddle checked, lunged him before he was ridden , tried him on a long rein or a sorter rein... the works. Turned out his problem was he was too damn clever and knew he could do it!

What do you/and the other riders do when your horse bucks? I found the best results with Jaffa (the bucker) was to sit deep and totally ride him through the bucking until he realised i wasn't coming off and he'd pack it in. He wasn't a nasty horse at all, but he just got it into his head more and more that when he bucked he'd either get the rider off (he was used in the riding school, so 9/10 times the rider wouldn't get back on) or he'd frighten the life out of them so they'd intentionally dismount, both resulting in his work being done and he could come out of the school.

If you can sit to your horse's buck and it doesnt unnerve you, just sit quiet, don't shout or smack him, keep hold of his head (by checking and releasing him to prevent it dissapearing between his knees!) and keep your leg on and try and ride him through it. When he works well (even if it's just 1 circle), praise him for it and ALWAYS finish on a good note.

Hope this helps, good luck, sit tight (maybe some industrial superglue on your arse!?) and see what comes of it. He is only young, so just bear with him, he's probably just testing his boundaries at the mo.

All the best,
Jo x :D

[Horsegal014]

If he does this right after you get on and then quiets down with riding it could be too much energy (as alliecatalex said) or he may be cold-backed. After his muscels are warmed up and he's moving the pain goes away and he would feel better and stop the bucking. Maybe I'm way off the mark but just an idea to think about! Good luck to the both of you!