Comments on: Horse bucking – Cheryls needs your help:

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 14:26:24 +0000

Hi Cheryl,
Im not a horse expert or anywhere near it but it appears that Tucker has formed a very strong bond with the arab x mare and now has separation issues. Why not try taking him a short distance from the mare but outwith the stable/field but let them be able to see each other. Then gradually take him further, then out of site but let them see each other a few minutes later etc etc. Slowly but surely it will be understood that Tucker isn’t leaving for ever and he will be back to see her. It will take time and patience but I’m sure you will get there.

Good luck

By: shellie goodman

shellie goodman — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 01:12:24 +0000

Wow, All this info is great. I am still trying to ride the stallion (now gelded) last Oct. Lots of ground work. With and without the saddle. The first time I tried to mount him he wouldn’t hold still. I need an experienced ride to ride him. He had formal training along time ago nothing since. He is sweet to work around but I am a little afraid to try to get on him again. Thanks for the tips

By: Bonnie Resop

Bonnie Resop — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 03:08:46 +0000

I have a 17 y/o haflinger which recently has started to become barn sour. Leaning into the bit and spinning. He will go where I ask him to go but after awhile he will refuse to go anymore and want to go back to the barn. Now I dismount away from the barn and walk him back. I also believe in groundwork. With horses its always a journey.

Good Luck,

Bonnie

By: Chantelle

Chantelle — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 06:28:03 +0000

Hi Cheryl

My one horse did the saw, the thing is it doesn’t help getting upset.
Spirited horses do these things and to deal with it should be in a manner of not breaking there horses spirt.

So what I use to do (because here in RSA we inject our horses for AHS and then we are also not able to ride them for a while)

I put my horse in the ring and let him run for a while and he would buck and kick and deal with his “demons” on his own. After his more calm I saddle him up and lounge him- ground work, works wonders. He would still buck and go crazy for a while, BUT after three days of just solid ground work he is fine and he summits to me again.

For the throwing of the neck I suggest you ride him with side reins for at least a month- it is better than a Martingale-personally not a fan.
other than that if he does it move you leg out of the saddle toss it over to the side and throw him towards the ground (AT THE DIRECTION HE THROWS HIS HEAD AT). although this is a rough method and requires one to be awake it does work especially with stallion that are extremely strong willed. Sometimes they can be just plain bullies.-They get such a fright they never do it again.
Be careful though if you try this method ❗

To Blair- don’t sell your horse. A Horse loves his human, I am also scared that if a horse that is a problem horse he gets sold to someone that then treats him /her badly.

Ground work is important and should be done at least monthly- so that the relationship you build with your horse remains- don’t always ride.
Play with your horse, go sit in his paddock with treats far away from him/her and wait until the horse comes to you, don’t move at all let the horse do the bonding- they are curious and when they tickle you with their nose give them treats

By: Blair

Blair — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 22:43:38 +0000

I am going through the same thing right now. I unfortunately ended up with a broken ankle 😥 that is now after eight weeks is in the last stage of healing. I have hired a trainer to ride him and he has been good for her. I debated selling him and still don’t know if I can get back on ,but I plan on trying only when I feel comfortable about it. I plan on reestablishing our relationship through groundwork and grooming for a while first. That is when I can walk without crutches. 🙂 Glad to hear about the grass reins! I think I’ll be looking into getting some. I also plan on riding another bombproof horse first to get my confidence back. So glad I read this today. Thanks to all who wrote! 🙂

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 19:55:42 +0000

Hello,

I know what it’s like. I work at a horse rehabilitation stables.

I’ve been working with a horse similar to yours. Here’s what I’d do.

1) Don’t use a whip. Causing pain to get him to do what you want will make him worse.
2) Stop riding him for 4-6 weeks and do some groundwork.
3) Start by getting him cantering round the edge of a medium sand arena. Keep win tackless. When he puts his head down and starts licking, turn away. He will come to instantly. Give him a treat for being good.
4) Play with him in the field. Take time out of your day to go have half an hour of time with him. Rub his shoulders, stroke – don’t pat, and give him a treat if he does something good.
5) Try riding him in the arena. Work on transitions and use as little leg as possible. Again don’t use pain to get him to do what you want.

If you want any more help please ask. Hope this helps.
Sarah

By: louise

louise — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:48:44 +0000

The most frighnting thing is hitting the ground as we get older and the fact he was ur mate ur buddy and all the confidence in the world is needed to get back on i have had a simlar experience and had only started riding again after 26 years
i thought id never get back on but i did with the help of a friend i did not however get back on that particular horse but am determined to ride him again so rally friends get on all the other horses and have faith in ur ability hope that helps

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:05:46 +0000

Hi there Cheryl after reading what you have said it seems to me that a couple of things have been happening. Your mare has taken a leadership role over your gelding…she has become his boss so when she complained about being left he ended up choosing her over you. So you need to also work on her and establishing your leadership over her and then him. Can you ride him safely near the barn, just doing walk/halt transistion, circling and backing? This will begin to rebuild your confidence on him and begin to re-establish your leadership role. Always begin with groundwork as what you achieve on the ground is what you get in the saddle. And do the same with her…plenty of groundwork to re-establish who is boss. This is never going to be an overnight fix but something that needs to be worked at as often as possible.

By: Ruthie

Ruthie — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:02:33 +0000

We have all been bucked off. For the most part, it is something us humans did wrong. — not lunging or turning the horse out when stalled too long. Some horses need to be turned out or lunged everyday. Remember they are athletes. I would try to keep the horse’s head up, for it is hard for them to balance to give a buck if their head is in the up position.

By: Kailee

Kailee — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:40:12 +0000

I had the same probblem with my horse, some times she would giving warnings but some times not, what she was trying to do is get me off by bucking, which worked for her or awhile, then I noticed she was playing a game by “if I do this will it get u off”? And it did! So finally I had to just sit tight and hang on when she bucked and get her to go into a canter even if I got bucked off some times I got back on till finally she thought ” I’m wasting time bucking it would be easier just to go into a canter!”
Hope this helps!
Kailee