Bucking, am sooooo fed up (long, sorry)

Oldmare I think you may be a little quick to condemn this mare.
She has changed homes after what appears to be long term home, and is in a new place, new rider etc new field companions. No matter how you look at it, it's as traumatic for her as it is for you.
You have to take into account any changes you have made which may affect her, such as different feed, turnout regimes etc.
You say she as been good to hack, have you actually asked for canter on a hack? Did you canter her at all when you went to try her? Or see anyone canter her?
book a lesson with a recommended good instructor, explain the problem, have your lungeing equipment to hand when she arrives and ask if she is prepared to get on the horse first.
It can be a million things, too much food, too little turnout, your nerves passing vibes through to the horse etc, but please don't write her off so soon.
My daughter's mare as been bucking this week, and her response was a sharp half halt a very loud growl and a verbal "Do't you bl**y dare!"
Do you know why? because te grass is starting to come through here and all the horses are feeling good on it...
I totally disagree with cantering in the school for the first time anyway, you are far safer on an uphill track where the bucks are not likely to be able to be very big and the horse is struggling to keep momentum.
Take someone with you and you go in front not them...(vital)
pm me if you want to talk, but this horse unless it has a back problem or a badly ftting saddle should be solvable...
 
Ah that's a shame they are awfully far away.

I really do think you should give the horse another chance. Honestly, almost all of the horses I have bought have been total angels at their previous homes and then when they have arrived here, we have had surprises from pretty much all of them within the first couple of weeks.

They all came right in less than a month and they are perfect for even small children to ride again......but in that first month they acted totally out of character and I wouldn't have put any novice riders on their backs. Now? They are perfect! Absolutely totally trustworthy with even total beginners on them.

I'd give it a month and if you don't feel you are any further forward then maybe cut your losses, but if the horse really was as good at the previous home then it won't be long before he goes back to how he normally is.

I agree with HH about the cantering up a hill rather than in the school.

Have faith!
smile.gif
 
Am with Patches here - I have had P 2/3 weeks now, I have ridden her in the school twice alone and once for a lesson - the rest of the time I have been having fun with her and hacking without pressure. Now I feel it is time to ask for proper work, but I have gauged it and not pushed anything too fast.
 
I had a horse that did that and she was cold backed. I sorted it by saddling her up for twenty minutes in the stable, gradually tightening her girth before bringing her out. To this day, I dont ride with an overtight girth, you could always put an overgirth on her. The problems never showed in walk and trot, it was always at canter work.

Another consideration is the weight of the rider to what the horse is used to. For my mare to get her settled in canter, I would not sit to the saddle, but keep my weight elevated by riding short. This does not affect the riders balance as you just stand up slightly when they buck to avoid coming down hard on their backs.

This worked for me, as my mare was cold backed an anticipating discomfort. Sometimes girths can be overtight and this affects horses in canter work before than other paces.
 
Sorry, haven't read all the other posts, so you may have responded to a post similar to this already.

But why would you want to send her back for simply chucking a couple of bucks in in the school???

I think you may be being a little hasty in thinking that this horse is not for you after a show of what could have been mild exuberence, pain from a poorly fitted saddle, or any other host of reasons.

I am always suprised at how few people give a new horse the benefit of the doubt - Remeber, it's just moved home, doesn't know you or it's surroundings etc.

Give the little thing a chance.......
 
I would take legal advice..you had a witness and even if you dont have it in writing, a verbal agreement is a verbal agreement....i had a similar thing happen to me years ago..the advice i was given was dump the horse back in her field then sue her for the money back....But i would ring her again and say your not happy and want to return her..but speak to a legal rep first then you know where you stand...
 
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