Bronked off - is it time to give up

kinnygirl1

kinnygirl1

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So was riding this aft in the school - gardeners working on other side of the fence partially screened from sight but making a fair bit off noise. Pony was a bit looky, but I pushed him past it. Then all of a sudden he does a massive spook at the gardeners, takes off and throws in a couple of broncs for good measure. I sat the first but came off at the second - ouch! Got back on and trotted him round past the gardeners a few time. THen got off and had a little cry!

This has happended once before, about a year ago when he was spooked - and it took me a fair whlie to regain confidence- not that I was exactly brimming with the stuff to start with! Not sure I can go through it again... Is it time to admit I am beaten and give this up? I am not a kid any more, certainly don't bounce anyway!
 
My new horse bucked me off on saturday. I know the horse and know it had it in her and was a bit wary. But my moto is they are so expensive to be scared of so I just need to get on it. Was hacking the next day without a problem.
 
ossy said:
My new horse bucked me off on saturday. I know the horse and know it had it in her and was a bit wary. But my moto is they are so expensive to be scared of so I just need to get on it. Was hacking the next day without a problem.
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Were you nervous getting back on? I was fine getting back on just after it happened I know I will be worried tomorrow.....
 
kinnygirl1 said:
Were you nervous getting back on? I was fine getting back on just after it happened I know I will be worried tomorrow.....
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Mmm I am wary of getting on yes, which annoys me as I competed BE with my old horse so have no excuse to be wary of a 15.2 trotting round the areana. Couldn't catch her after she dumped me she galloped round for 10 mins and was knackered when I caught her. Think she thought she was finished but I got back on a made her work for another 15mins she has been absolutly fine with me since but i will always know she can do it I just need to get on with it. When you know something might be issue that day can you just lunge him for a bit first and then get on.
 
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Do you know it can happen to the best of riders. All you can do is anticipate. I value my bones and health being an older rider too ,so if my horse is on alert i am very reassuring and careful with her. Also invest in a good protective jacket if you don't wear a body protector. I bought a secondhand MountainHorse Body Guard jacket for hacking in and it has lightweight pads everywhere - at your coccyx, elbows, back, shoulders. It really gives you confidence too that you have some protection.
 
YasandCrystal said:
Do you know it can happen to the best of riders. All you can do is anticipate. I value my bones and health being an older rider too ,so if my horse is on alert i am very reassuring and careful with her. Also invest in a good protective jacket if you don't wear a body protector. I bought a secondhand MountainHorse Body Guard jacket for hacking in and it has lightweight pads everywhere - at your coccyx, elbows, back, shoulders. It really gives you confidence too that you have some protection.
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Thanks Yas - yes I do wear a body protector (unless competing dressage) - the kids at the yard all laugh at me for wearing it but I don't care! I know it can happen to the best but the best are braver than me! I love my boy but I am pushing 40 and not sure how much more my confidence or body can take?
 
I have come off a lot learning to ride my boy but I got a BP, then air jacket and managed not to lose confidence. Think it helped that it was just excitement so I knew he wasn't wanting to get me off.

Do you use a neck strap? I found this helpful as I could really hang on and pull myself in the saddle and learn to sit the bucking.

Maybe for the next few rides, have a neck strap and lunge the horse first if he is feeling fresh.
 
I've had my mare almost a year abs she's dumped me 3 times. Because she spooks and overreacts I.e.leaps off the floor abs bucks until she dumps you. The only way to fix it is to stay on a crack her but as yet I've not managed! Determined to try though, cow that she is.
 
Sounds like a "Yee-har!" type of buck rather than a nasty buck - not a lot of comfort I know! It is quite natural for him to spook at something he can't see but can hear - it could be a predator so he is instinctively taking evasive action.

In a similar situation I wouldn't just kick him on but I would move further away from the noise until he has relaxed and then ride him backwards and forwards getting nearer and nearer until he is going past quite happily. This will show him that you understand his fear, but you are helping him to get over it. He needs to trust that you understand him. If it makes you happier, you could do this from the ground, leading him past. Giving him a boot in the ribs when he is worried about something simply gives the message that
not only is it scary, you get a kick as well!

If you are dreading getting on tomorrow, lead him round the school and do lots of in-hand stuff with him. Perhaps you could get a Kelly Marks instructor to help you with this they are used to dealing with this sort of problem.

Finally, if you've not given up and gone home after reading all this, look up Michael Peace's website and watch the video of him getting a police horse to get over its fear of applause.
 
tiga71 said:
I have come off a lot learning to ride my boy but I got a BP, then air jacket and managed not to lose confidence. Think it helped that it was just excitement so I knew he wasn't wanting to get me off.

Do you use a neck strap? I found this helpful as I could really hang on and pull myself in the saddle and learn to sit the bucking.

Maybe for the next few rides, have a neck strap and lunge the horse first if he is feeling fresh.
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Hi Tiga - yes I think an air jacket would maybe give me a bit more confidence. I wasn't really hurt today - just a bit thrown around and shaken really but the thought of how bad it could have been is paying on my mind. I do have a martingale but doubtful I could have got my hands to it cos it happened so fast! Maybe I will be more aware next time though.
 
kinnygirl1 said:
Thanks Yas - yes I do wear a body protector (unless competing dressage) - the kids at the yard all laugh at me for wearing it but I don't care! I know it can happen to the best but the best are braver than me! I love my boy but I am pushing 40 and not sure how much more my confidence or body can take?
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Oh come on OP you are a mere youngster - I am over 50 :( and I want to ride until my body fails. I think you need to just plug on - the more you ride the more confident you become. I had a break from riding for a few years and that really knocked my confidence coming back into the saddle, despite being a proficient rider. But now I am confifdent and just accept that accidents can happen - so I am never complacent. I used to even sing to myself I was so lacking in confidence that something would happen. I was scared to ride in my manege at home with noone around. Now I have ridden dozens of times in the dark (as our lights packed up) with just a headtorch in the wind even in the rain with a blowy poncho on (had to as the horse was on a rehab regime). So I won't stop now I have my mojo back :)

Oh yes and a stirrup leather neckstrap is always a reassuring friend for those 'spooky' times. If WFP can use one so can I :)
 
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Speaking as someone who is actually a reasonably capable rider, but with a recurrent lower back issue, I am of the mind set that I would rather not hit the floor thank you very much!

If I am riding something, or in a situation, where I predict contact with earth is possible then I tend to wear my air jacket. My body doesn't bounce, but an air jacket might! And being a bit tight about money, at £15 for a replacement cannister that very thought provides added reason to stay in the saddle !!

In a way, it sounds like the situation could be manageable for you. Your horse gives you warning that all is not well by being spooky. That should be cue that a naughty bronc across the arena is on the cards if you don't nip it in the backside.
In this situation, distance yourself from the trigger (eg gardners), move to opposite end of the school and work the horse hard! Should take the sting out of naughty thoughts.
 
Tammytoo said:
Sounds like a "Yee-har!" type of buck rather than a nasty buck - not a lot of comfort I know! It is quite natural for him to spook at something he can't see but can hear - it could be a predator so he is instinctively taking evasive action.

In a similar situation I wouldn't just kick him on but I would move further away from the noise until he has relaxed and then ride him backwards and forwards getting nearer and nearer until he is going past quite happily. This will show him that you understand his fear, but you are helping him to get over it. He needs to trust that you understand him. If it makes you happier, you could do this from the ground, leading him past. Giving him a boot in the ribs when he is worried about something simply gives the message that
not only is it scary, you get a kick as well!

If you are dreading getting on tomorrow, lead him round the school and do lots of in-hand stuff with him. Perhaps you could get a Kelly Marks instructor to help you with this they are used to dealing with this sort of problem.

Finally, if you've not given up and gone home after reading all this, look up Michael Peace's website and watch the video of him getting a police horse to get over its fear of applause.
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Thanks Tammy - yes it was a bit Yee Har! My friend who was watching commented that it was a bit excessive - 1 bronc would have been enough but he wanted to keep on until I parted company!

When I say I pushed past the scary gardeners, all I really meant was that I kept my leg on and coaxed him with my voice and tried to keep his attention on me not the scary stuff- he is really not the sort of horse you can kick in the ribs - would have parted company even sooner had I done that. I want him to trust that if I say its ok, it is ok. That went well, huh? :D

Thanks for your suggestion re instructor etc. Will have a look at the vid too.
 
If only I had counted the number of times Shy had gone into canter and had a WHOOOPPPPPEEEEE bucking session....:eek: Sometimes I stayed on, sometimes I didn't - and the most recent episode was because his saddle was pinching.

Don't give up - do check the tack, and just take it gently. :)
 
YasandCrystal said:
Oh come on OP you are a mere youngster - I am over 50 :( and I want to ride until my body fails. I think you need to just plug on - the more you ride the more confident you become. I had a break from riding for a few years and that really knocked my confidence coming back into the saddle, despite being a proficient rider. But now I am confifdent and just accept that accidents can happen - so I am never complacent. I used to even sing to myself I was so lacking in confidence that something would happen. I was scared to ride in my manege at home with noone around. Now I have ridden dozens of times in the dark (as our lights packed up) with just a headtorch in the wind even in the rain with a blowy poncho on (had to as the horse was on a rehab regime). So I won't stop now I have my mojo back :)

Oh yes and a stirrup leather neckstrap is always a reassuring friend for those 'spooky' times. If WFP can use one so can I :)
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Aw Yas- that is very inspirational! You are right. Maybe I am just being defeatist due to feeling a bit sore and fragile after fall! Will see what tomorrow brings..
 
Megibo said:
I've had my mare almost a year abs she's dumped me 3 times. Because she spooks and overreacts I.e.leaps off the floor abs bucks until she dumps you. The only way to fix it is to stay on a crack her but as yet I've not managed! Determined to try though, cow that she is.
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That's how it felt to me today - like once he started the bucking he was gonna keep on till I came off! I know he had been spooked to start with but I kinda think there was a bit of naughtiness and over reaction there too.
 
Shysmum said:
If only I had counted the number of times Shy had gone into canter and had a WHOOOPPPPPEEEEE bucking session....:eek: Sometimes I stayed on, sometimes I didn't - and the most recent episode was because his saddle was pinching.

Don't give up - do check the tack, and just take it gently. :)
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Thank you - yes will get saddle check in case - in a way it is reassuring to know that even the lovely Shy can have a bucking session - I was worrying that I had somehow created a monster. Defo will be taking it gentle where at all poss.
 
If you aren't enjoying riding her it's no sin to trade her in for something you feel more comfortable on. A horse should be for enjoyment, not to hurt you and make you lose your confidence. Leave flying through the air for youngsters who bounce better.
 
Gloi said:
If you aren't enjoying riding her it's no sin to trade her in for something you feel more comfortable on. A horse should be for enjoyment, not to hurt you and make you lose your confidence. Leave flying through the air for youngsters who bounce better.
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He is so good 95% of the time and I love him so dearly - he is the only horse I have ever competed on, but if every spook is going to result in that sort of a broncing session then yes, he may be better with a younger more bouncy rider.Don't think I would get another though.
 
To help stop Shy bucking, i used a good old daisy rein, and I highly recommend trying one if everything else is ok - they just can't get their heads down to set up for bucking. Might be worth a try. Off ebay.
 
kinnygirl1 said:
I want him to trust that if I say its ok, it is ok. That went well, huh? :D.
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The trust thing is very hard! Just expecting him to trust you when you ask him to go past something is a big ask (in his eyes). You need to be able to feel the moment when he starts to tense and immediately say, OK, this is scarey let's just take it a bit at a time.

I have a "rescue" tb who I was told would rear unexpectedly and for no reason and also buck. I discovered that if she was faced with something scarey she would run backwards Very Fast! The only way to stop her was to jump off and lead her past (I could "feel" that if I pushed her she would indeed just go bolt upright!). That was two years ago and after jumping off and leading past on numerous occasions, she now trusts me and will look and listen to me and go past.
 
I think its the time of year my cob iv owned eighteen years bucked me of the other day he had been kept in due to weather me thinking i know him hed be fine big mistake just got on all sudden he bucked so high his bum hit my head and i was off didnt stand a chance thats horses.
 
Tammytoo said:
The trust thing is very hard! Just expecting him to trust you when you ask him to go past something is a big ask (in his eyes). You need to be able to feel the moment when he starts to tense and immediately say, OK, this is scarey let's just take it a bit at a time.

I have a "rescue" tb who I was told would rear unexpectedly and for no reason and also buck. I discovered that if she was faced with something scarey she would run backwards Very Fast! The only way to stop her was to jump off and lead her past (I could "feel" that if I pushed her she would indeed just go bolt upright!). That was two years ago and after jumping off and leading past on numerous occasions, she now trusts me and will look and listen to me and go past.
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Yeah think you are right - and to be fair I don't fully trust him either so he will pick up on that I guess - Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you tammytoo?
 
puss said:
I think its the time of year my cob iv owned eighteen years bucked me of the other day he had been kept in due to weather me thinking i know him hed be fine big mistake just got on all sudden he bucked so high his bum hit my head and i was off didnt stand a chance thats horses.
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Blimey - hope you are OK!!! Yes Our yard are noticing that quite a few of them are a bit "full of it"! I am the second person to get bucked off their horse this week!
 
kinnygirl1 said:
So was riding this aft in the school - gardeners working on other side of the fence partially screened from sight but making a fair bit off noise. Pony was a bit looky, but I pushed him past it. Then all of a sudden he does a massive spook at the gardeners, takes off and throws in a couple of broncs for good measure. I sat the first but came off at the second - ouch! Got back on and trotted him round past the gardeners a few time. THen got off and had a little cry!

This has happended once before, about a year ago when he was spooked - and it took me a fair whlie to regain confidence- not that I was exactly brimming with the stuff to start with! Not sure I can go through it again... Is it time to admit I am beaten and give this up? I am not a kid any more, certainly don't bounce anyway!
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If you'd picked yourself up and led him back to the yard I'd say give up. But you remounted and trotted him past the gardeners. What was different about your attitude then? Was it a 'you damn well will' kind of attitude? If we could bottle that we'd be laughing ;)
Did he know they were human? I often ask obscured bods to reveal themselves and say something. It can help.
IME horses tend to look for things while schooling that they don't bother about on hacks. Like kids in supermarkets, if you like.
Just keep riding like you did when you remounted;) Good luck.
 
i think to be honest its a lot to expect a horse to trust you if you dont have any trust in them! they will lose their confidence in your abilities to lead them. this happened with a friend of mine ,she bought a great horse from my YO that never napped or had any vices whatsoever ,within 2 months the horse has completely lost its confidence and naps and reverses flat out -is now a different horse. if someone gets on her and rides her giving her loads of confidence she is BRILLIANT !
i would ride another horse and see if you feel the same and then decide what to do
 
I got bucked off my 20 year old last night.

Came to me with the habit but it was the first time he 'got me', came completely out of the blue having been an angel the rest of the ride.

Now propped up on the sofa as I've torn the ligaments between my collar bone and shoulder on one arm so that's that arm in a sling, and chipped a bone in my other wrist so that's the wrist in a splint.

Wouldn't be so bad but I'm supposed to be signed off on Wednesday from my last horsey injury of a spirally fractured and dislocated finger.

Horses hey!
 
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