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Discussion on 4year old in training starts bucking under saddle

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Sylvia Pemberton
New Member
Username: Sylvy

Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 3:48 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

My 4yr old quarterhorse has been in training at the walk under saddle twice a week for about 4 times. Last time she bucked my trainer off. What needs to be done now? Would more consistent work help? She has been lunged at walk, trot and canter for some time and then ridden bareback quite a few times. No driving has been done. Any suggestions?
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Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos

Post Number: 797
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 8:15 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Has she been bucking under a rider before this incident, Sylvia?
Why is this an issue? A horse bucking a trainer off one time should be no big deal.
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Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose

Post Number: 652
Registered: 1-2000
Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 12:02 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with Christos. Also, imo, if proper ground work has been done including ground work with the saddle on, a person or weight on the back is the next logical step and shouldn't be a "big deal." Back when I started my own youngsters, I'd start out by putting weight in a stirrup on both sides, and gradually work up to full weight in the saddle. I never had a horse really buck, just a few little crow hops sometimes. However, a lot of horses that haven't been handled from birth will buck and it's always to be expected. I also am of the opinon that a couple of times a week isn't very much. Is the horse getting lounged or free lounged every day? Or someother exercise? Is she getting lounged with a saddle on before the trainer gets on her?
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Holly Wood
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Username: Hwood

Post Number: 624
Registered: 3-2001
Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 12:27 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Ditto . . .

And my immediate thought upon reading your post was "saddle fit." Might want to check it.
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Holly Zukowski
Member
Username: Dakota04

Post Number: 9
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 4:08 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

That was my first thought too - Saddle fit. Great minds think alike.
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Alden Chamberlain
Member
Username: Alden

Post Number: 183
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 8:57 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Sylvia,

I'm confused on who is concerned about this. You or the trainer? Bucks happen, if the trainer is concerned then I'd be concerned, as a horse owner, about the trainer . Hopefully the trainer learned a lesson and will be better prepared next time. As a trainer I'm fully prepared, specially on a horse with only four rides, for some bucking. At the same time I do everything I can to prepare the horse and go through the entire training process without bucking.

I find it is typical of a green horse to round up and offer to buck the first few transitions, either walk to trot, or trot to canter. In this case I circle them to regain control and send them right back into the faster gait. The new gait feels different and it bothers some more than others, once or twice and they become comfortable with the new feel.

The trainer can try lounging the horse with boat dock protectors (or bumpers). They flop around and the horse will get accustomed to them. Saddle strings are another cause of bucking, but I leave them hanging just for that reason and horses quickly forget them.

Does the trainer wear spurs? Now, there is a really great way to get a green horse bucking if you're not careful. I've know people that couldn't stay on a horse and it was because they couldn't keep the spurs out of the horse's belly. Watch many people on a horse that moves unexpected and quickly and you'll seen them grip with there heals. A mistake anytime, a bigger mistake if you're wearing spurs.

I also would check saddle fit, very possibly a problem.

Good day,
Alden
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Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos

Post Number: 814
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 12:12 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Ditto, Alden, especially on your first paragraph.
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Sylvia Pemberton
New Member
Username: Sylvy

Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 2:10 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for all your tips. Will check saddle fit. She is an alpha mare and we have to be firm with her at all times. She had a wolf tooth taken out last week.(Don't think that was the problem) Because my trainer was taking her time breaking her,I think we were both surprised by this incident. From what you say this is not uncommon behaviour. Will try and work her more consistently. I just wondered if I needed someone more specialized in breaking this type of horse.
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Cheryl Hohler
Member
Username: Chohler

Post Number: 248
Registered: 8-2004
Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 11:59 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Ditto Alden, when working green horses I never assume because they started good, that they won't want to buck, I expect it a few times and I deal with as alden mentioned. I also don't ride green horses in anything but a saddle with a horn or an attatchment bronc riders use. When you don't assume, the horse usually does what you thought they wouldn't. I don't mean assume as in anticipating and making the horse nervous, just be ready for a ride. For the most part they do it because they are unsure, and just need more practice.

What kind of arrangement do you have with this trainer, most out here like to ride their clients horses atleast 5-6 day a week. Unless it is a lesson by lesson basis.
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Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose

Post Number: 670
Registered: 1-2000
Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 1:27 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Just what type is "this type of horse?" Just curious. Is she other than just young and untrained? Unless your trainer is someone that only does upper level training/lessons, she should be able to train your horse.
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