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View Full Version : Help with a youngster - bucking!

chestnuts4ever
30th Jan 2006, 03:02 PM
I am helping a friend back her 13.2hh newforrest pony,he is 3yr and 6 months old. I am the rider (lucky me!!) and he is generally vry good but the other day i got on him and he wanted to run to the grass and i said no and turned him whilst squeezing with my legs and he does little bucks b/c he doesnt want to go out the yard. He is also quite worryish when out hacking alone, but generally good. any advice how i can overcome the bucking fits? thanks:)
Bay Mare
30th Jan 2006, 06:51 PM
He's still quite young so may be telling you that he's had enough. I'm not sure that I'd be hacking him out alone either just yet, maybe go for a short hack with a 'nanny' horse but I wouldn't take him alone for the moment if he's getting worried about it.

Bucking can be caused by any number of things. It could be his tack not fitting properly, he could find it difficult to take the weight of the rider, he could have a sore back, his teeth may need doing, it could be the way that you're sitting/riding, it could be that he's napping, he could just be telling you that he's knackered and he wants rid of you from his back.

Sort out the tack and physical first and then, if they check out, look at other potential causes. Above all take it steadily with him. This is one of the most important times of his life both physically and mentally. He's still developing and mistakes now will only be magnified further down the line. If necessary get a good and experienced trainer in to help you.
chestnuts4ever
30th Jan 2006, 07:29 PM
Do you reckon we should stop riding him and take him back to basix? last thing my mate wants is to wreck him!
CMR
30th Jan 2006, 07:44 PM
I would stop riding him. He is still young, so take it easy on him. Horses don't finish growing until six(around six and a half for males). Give him some time to mature mentally and physically and your friend will definitely have a better horse for it. I'm sure you can find some groundwork to do with him for awhile, the more the better(as long as it's not boring). The more groundwork you do, the better your horse will be undersaddle.