A few 'firsts' this evening - did I do the right thing?

[bex1984]

Rode in the school in a howling gale this evening - Murphy isn't too bothered by a bit of wind.

Had a bit of an achievement - we jumped a filler! OK - so it was only 1ft tall and more of a pyschological jump then a physical one because we've never done it before...but we did it, from trot and from canter and Murph was fabby

We also managed nearly a whole circuit of the school with him almost in an outline which is a first.

And the other first....Murphy bucked!!!

He hasn't bucked once in 11months, it was only a little one and I'd asked for canter, I thought he wasn't going to canter so gave him quite a smack with my whip, more than I normally would - and I think he put in a little buck in protest. I growled at him and kicked him on and he cantered round with no problems.

Did I do the right thing? I feel bad for smacking him a bit too hard

Is it likely it was just an "ow, that was a bit harsh!!" reaction from him?

If it happens again I'll get his back and saddle checked, do you think it's OK to see if it happens again before doing that?!

It just seemed like a reaction to the whip.

I'm a bad mummy

 

[dwi]

Daisy bucks in protest if you whip her. If he only does it when whipped and not at any other time I wouldn't worry about back or teeth, sounds like he was just objecting

 

[Irishcobs]

Just a typical cob reaction. It was a 'my god you just hit me, how rude' reaction.
We had a cob at college that used to buck if you hit her twice, my instructor used to say now you know she is listening to you.

Well done on jumping the filler, they are scary things no matter how big they are.

 

[random_rider]

Hilde bucks when you whip her, no matter how hard! It was just a reaction i assume so dont worry too much

 

[dawnpetenathshir]

Well done on your achievements

. My bloke bucks if you tap him with the whip in the school but he's getting better

 

[Damnation]

My mare bucks if you whip her! But thats just thoroughbreds for you. Maybe Murphy was a little unbalanced and thats why you thought he wasn't going to canter? My old horse used to buck into a canter because he was unbalanced, he used to sort himself out though! And well done with the filler! Your braver than I am! >_<!!

 

[bex1984]

He may well ahve been unbalanced - something made me think he wasn't going to canter properly and was going to be lazy....hence why I gave him a smack. Think I'll have to be more careful with Mr Whippy now Murphy is a bit more forward thinking!

 

[BarmyC]

My WB baby bucked with me yesterday when i reinforced my outside leg with the whip it wasnt hard more of a "this is what leg you need to strike off on tap".

It was a "Who do you think you are whipping me i'll show you buck"

I wouldnt worry try again without it and see what happens

 

[bex1984]

he was certainly quick off my leg after I gave him a smack!! I do feel guilty about it though.

OH's reaction when I told him Murphy had out in a cheeky buck was "Awesome"!! Men! He has a new respect for Murphy now!

 

[Gorgeous George]

don't worry about giving Murphy a tap, it's not as if you go around beating him up is it

! Good for you with the filler, you really are getting into the jumping

.

 

[Cop-Pop]

Well done!

Lots of horses seem to have a mini strop when u give them a tap so I wouldn't worry about it