Maddison and another of her emmm 'issues'

[Maddison's girl]

Maddison is a handful to say the least! but we have started schooling her more since we moved yards and after doing weeks and weeks of walking and trotting we have started introducing canter. Well, after quite a bit of hard work we can get a half decent trott going then squeeze on to go into canter (I have no doubt in my mind that she knows what she is being asked for) and she bucks, quite big bucks too! Her back has been checked recently, shes got a new saddle, and her teeth have also been checked.

Anyway finially get to my question...could this be a fitness thing, could it be that we dont exercise her enough, or do some horses just not like working? She has a beautiful canter in the field!

We currently only ride her about three times a week, 2 hour sessions in the school and a 1-2 hour hack on a Sunday.

[LatonaPandora]

hahaha, don't you just love a bucking horse? I know a horse just like that. He is quite lovely, and very smooth, but when asked to canter, he just doesn't like to do it! Well, I only see him about once a year to whip him into shape for the owner, and she's a little bit of a timid rider. She's a beginner I mean, and since he's her first horse, and he's about five, they don't always agree. He is an outstanding horse, and amazingly well-behaved for his age, so I only get to school him once a year, and the owner is too timid to ask for the canter. (he's still learning) So, consistancy is very important. I think your horse may have a superiority complex. A lovely horse, but doesn't want to work much harder than she's used to. Simply continue to work with her on the canter. I'm probably going to be schooling this gelding again come this summer, so I'll keep you updated on his progress! Just stay consistent, you can do it! And so can Maddison.... :) good luck and have fun!

[domane]

It may just be that she is soooo delighted to be allowed to canter after weeks of trotting that she is full of high jinks.... it is the "spring" time after all :D :D :D

[Maddison's girl]

Im not sure that its just high jinks. People watching, have said she gives this look as if to say sod off I dont want to work! I have also watch her when my daughter rides and she pulls alot of faces. Can horses be lazy :confused: I have decided that I am going to try working with her more times a week, maybe shes just unfit and cant be bothered I know what I get like when I havent been to the gym in a while!

[LatonaPandora]

O, you bet horses can be lazy! Can we be lazy? haha, heck yes! I've ridden this seventeen year old thoroughbred before who moved as if he had only a few days left in his life, then gotten on a twenty-seven year old thoroughbred mare and barely been able to hold her back! She sounds like she's a very intelligent horse, and maybe that's where the problem is. ;) Those smart ones know how to get what they want, she's just one you'll have to think more while you're on. I'm sure it's simply her being a mare. She just needs to know who's boss is all. I definitely recommend working with her more. Good luck with your mare, she sounds like loads of fun! (I love horses like that....)

[cobloopy]

I had this problem with a mare i once rode. She was a pain to get into canter in the school - she knew what i wanted but would mess me about. Even my RI got on and was messed about with - it proved it wasnt just me she was just difficult. ( Thank goodness!!!!)
She was fit and in no pain at all. In the end we cut schooling times and increased hacking time. She was a lot easier to do on hacks so I concentrated on schooling her when out. In the end we sold her to my cousin as I really wanted to do dressage and knew she just wasnt happy in the school - it's also the last mare i owned!!!!

[arabianbaby]

honestly if i schooled a horse for 2 hours i'd expect it to be pretty grumpy! it's hard work for them mentally and that's longer than i've ever heard of a horse being worked. although i doubt that's causing the bucking.

if you've just recently started schooling more maybe she's not that balanced? mine used to buck every time i asked for canter until we did a lot or bending and got him working from behind. mind you he was also very lazy the second part of the equation was getting him to understand that he had to work. again if it's new to her this may take some time.

does she like jumping? maybe getting her to pick up the canter from a jump for a while until she gets more consistent with it? hope it goes well. are you blocking her at all in the back end? i've found lightening my seat so they have can have full motion of their hind end and shoulders also helps.

hope you both find a happy solution. :)

[Maddison's girl]

that 2 hour sessions in the school is meant to read 2 one hour sessions (hope that makes sense)

The only jumping we did was over trott poles :D When we first introduced them she didnt quite get the hang of them and used to jump them. One of the girls at the yard (used to be a RI) said about giving her and my daughter jumping lessons though.

I guess it just will all take time, she isnt used to schooling, I didnt school her until we came to this yard as we had no where to school and I dont think her old owners did much at all with her!

I think a bit of patience and a good suit of body armour is called for! :D

Thank you for your replies