any ideas on bronking horse

[Tufty]

my friend has a horse who is great to ride but with one major problem, (back checked, teeth done etc)

when you first get on him he sticks his head between his legs and bronks until he gets whoever off !

Have even tested by riding him for twenty minutes and then putting someone else on him still bronks after this so not cold backed.

any ideas

she has learnt to deal with it by someone holding onto him whilst she mounts and then walking with her for about 5 to ten minutes holding onto his head so he cant do it.

 

[LauraBR]

How are you getting on him? Have you tried mounting from the other side?

 

[Tufty]

No havent tried that one how would that make a difference ?

 

[LauraBR]

It is possible that the actual 'getting on' is hurting him, as we normally get on from one side it can cause pressure on the back which could potentially hurt. Also, getting on from the other side is not what the horse expects you to do hence he is busy thinking about that rather than trying to get you off.

I had a horse who would randomly bronk you off the second you were on and those were avenues we looked at. My horse proved to be simply an opportunist though in the end, you only had to get someone to hold you literally while you got on and gor secure in the saddle after which he was ok... 10 minutes after mounting sounds like a long time, which is why I wonder if the actual getting on might be sore for him?

 

[suebingham]

You never want to rule out pain (and that's a different kettle of fish all together) but to me sounds like maybe he's just a bit onery. I'd try working him in deep sand and maybe check his diet.

 

[Tufty]

Im probably over doing the time 10 minutes it feels like when you are leading a horse that is jumping about to try and buck but probably more like 5 mins max

 

[StaceyTanglewood]

My mare done this when in foal !! she wasnt nasty though an di never came off of her it was more like she was moving the baby around to get comfy !!

 

[soph21]

sit there and hold on tight and ride it out, thats if he isnt hurting,it just sounds like he's takin the p**s!!!!

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

To rule out pain, could the vet do a bute test? Put him on it for about a fortnight, keep a diary of EVERYTHING that is done with the horse and the horse does in return. If there is no pain at least that's ruled out.

 

[flyingfeet]

If bute test shows nothing (so not pain):
- daisy rein - so horse cannot get head between legs
- Stock saddle - so horse cannot get rid of rider
- If no funds for stock saddle - big grab handle at the front to pull your weight down (posh name is balance strap... piffle is a baler twine handle!!), then keep kicking to send the horse on
- lots of training, until habit broken