Bucking, Bronking and rearing - How should you deal with it?

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Friesianfoal1999

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Hi, this is a general question that I thought could be discussed.
My horses can be cheeky and have a buck of small bronc ocassionally. only in winter when the air is more crisp. I had her scoped yesterday to see if it was that and nothing she was fine. (she has done big ones but thats only when shes been in pain, or too much pressure was added by accident)
But in relation to general naughtiness/behavioural issues what do you do? Ive seen many opinions, ive seen:
- Do nothing, almost ignore so they dont get a reaction
- Tell them off
- Tell them off by making them move on
- Tell off by making them stand and wait
- Tell off by shouting at them
What do you do?
PS. this is on the basis that there is absolutely no physical reason and the vet has checked. Behavioural problems relating to pain is disregarded.
 
Less feed, more turnout and keeping their brain busy. I’d aim for forwards and lots of changes in direction and gait to minimise the opportunity to buck. There’s no shame in lunging before you get on either, if it really is just high jinx.
 
If they are just fresh from lack or work, not enough turnout and too much food then you need to get on and work them hard, they don't tend to buck in halt, rarely in walk unless they are also spooking, it normally happens as you move on into trot or canter so the best thing is to ignore it, ride forward and keep them moving and working hard until they have run out of energy to p*** about, making them stand will make them more impatient and more likely to overreact, shouting or telling them off will serve no purpose when the cause is not really something under their control, they should not be naughty or disobedient but it is not their fault if they are not doing enough to keep them busy.
 
meleeka said:
Less feed, more turnout and keeping their brain busy. I’d aim for forwards and lots of changes in direction and gait to minimise the opportunity to buck. There’s no shame in lunging before you get on either, if it really is just high jinx.
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Interesting! I have my method with her (I mean she acts like she did nothing once she stops and poddles along) But I agree with the more turnout, im lucky mines 24/7
 
be positive said:
If they are just fresh from lack or work, not enough turnout and too much food then you need to get on and work them hard, they don't tend to buck in halt, rarely in walk unless they are also spooking, it normally happens as you move on into trot or canter so the best thing is to ignore it, ride forward and keep them moving and working hard until they have run out of energy to p*** about, making them stand will make them more impatient and more likely to overreact, shouting or telling them off will serve no purpose when the cause is not really something under their control, they should not be naughty or disobedient but it is not their fault if they are not doing enough to keep them busy.
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I like this response! I think the telling off is depending if thats their fault or not. For example if they have got full work etc
 
Lets say horse has low feed, 24/7 turnout and in full work. Just interests me (thats how mine is, not stabled)

My mare does it at random times, but normally when spooking! a bird flew in front of her so she did a massive buck at the bird. And my friends horse saw a horse ahead so bronked mentally as the horse was ahead
 
They are rarely at fault, it is usually the rider that has not asked the correct question or not correctly asked it, backing up the aid or reminding them of what you want is a better way of thinking about it than telling them off.

Horses can sometimes just behave like horses, they can forget there is a rider on board and react without thinking further than the scary bird and getting away from it, as long as it does not escalate I don't mind them having the odd moment, the longer you are around horses, the more you learn and you never stop learning as they can always surprise you, in good ways as well as less good.
 
Heinze171 said:
Hi, this is a general question that I thought could be discussed.
My horses can be cheeky and have a buck of small bronc ocassionally. only in winter when the air is more crisp. I had her scoped yesterday to see if it was that and nothing she was fine. (she has done big ones but thats only when shes been in pain, or too much pressure was added by accident)
But in relation to general naughtiness/behavioural issues what do you do? Ive seen many opinions, ive seen:
- Do nothing, almost ignore so they dont get a reaction
- Tell them off
- Tell them off by making them move on
- Tell off by making them stand and wait
- Tell off by shouting at them
What do you do?
PS. this is on the basis that there is absolutely no physical reason and the vet has checked. Behavioural problems relating to pain is disregarded.
Click to expand...


Well 2 of Mine Broncs they does it when exited, when backing, when in pain, medical reason. As mine have never had saddles that caused it

So in answer to your question I would rule out all the fore mentioned first before telling off and shouting
 
Heinze171 said:
Lets say horse has low feed, 24/7 turnout and in full work. Just interests me (thats how mine is, not stabled)

My mare does it at random times, but normally when spooking! a bird flew in front of her so she did a massive buck at the bird. And my friends horse saw a horse ahead so bronked mentally as the horse was ahead
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See I think this is less ‘naughty’ than just bucking when going into trot or canter. I just think they lose concentration and forget their manners when something spooks them. I wouldn’t tell mine off for bucking in that situation (although I would probably swear, that’s just reflex with me?)
 
be positive said:
They are rarely at fault, it is usually the rider that has not asked the correct question or not correctly asked it, backing up the aid or reminding them of what you want is a better way of thinking about it than telling them off.

Horses can sometimes just behave like horses, they can forget there is a rider on board and react without thinking further than the scary bird and getting away from it, as long as it does not escalate I don't mind them having the odd moment, the longer you are around horses, the more you learn and you never stop learning as they can always surprise you, in good ways as well as less good.
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I agree, I like that !
 
be positive said:
They are rarely at fault, it is usually the rider that has not asked the correct question or not correctly asked it, backing up the aid or reminding them of what you want is a better way of thinking about it than telling them off.

Horses can sometimes just behave like horses, they can forget there is a rider on board and react without thinking further than the scary bird and getting away from it, as long as it does not escalate I don't mind them having the odd moment, the longer you are around horses, the more you learn and you never stop learning as they can always surprise you, in good ways as well as less good.
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Ive been around them for years btw! i know how i deal with it personally but just curious everyones views as its all so different.
 
meleeka said:
See I think this is less ‘naughty’ than just bucking when going into trot or canter. I just think they lose concentration and forget their manners when something spooks them. I wouldn’t tell mine off for bucking in that situation (although I would probably swear, that’s just reflex with me?)
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Oh yes completely less naughty! But she does the naughty ones too, just explaining the different ones she does! have to agree with the swear, it just happens aha
 
ILuvCowparsely said:
Well 2 of Mine Broncs they does it when exited, when backing, when in pain, medical reason. As mine have never had saddles that caused it

So in answer to your question I would rule out all the fore mentioned first before telling off and shouting
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All ruled out by vets! But agree can be many reasons
 
I just ignore it and carry on like it never happened.

The cob I ride had major issues with using spooking as work avoidance as he worked out with his owner if he spooked at something he stopped, did some easy walking and no longer had to go round that part of the school. When I started riding him he would not go up one end of the arena ridden (he would turned out so I knew he wasn't truly scared) and was really nappy with that and if I got tough and told him he was going he would do a small rear (he wasn't used to people getting a bit tough and enforcing the boundaries). We've remedied that but now especially with him I can't react, I just have to pretend it's never happened and we carry on doing what we were in the first place or he starts to use it to nap again.

ETA if it's persistent and not a learnt behaviour or is unusual for the horse I'd get it checked by a vet. The first horse that threw me off was a super sweet ex racer who wouldn't hurt a fly but I asked him to trot a circle and we both started flying through the air! My instructor wanted me back on him but I refused as it was such unusual behaviour I thought he was injured, luckily she was having a good day so listened to me and I was right, he'd hurt his back.
 
The racehorses bronc through fresheness! Today Elmo couldn't contain himself getting to do his first canter for a while, and it was down hill before we went up (not my choice! That was the work he was down to do!) So he had a wee broncing session to himself, which if not stopped does turn into bucking. He wasn't listening to me trying to pull his head back up from his knees so I roared at him - that gotthe buggers attention and his head back up!

He wasn't doing it through naughtiness or pain or anything of the likes. He was just immensely happy at getting to canter again! He has been out in the field before I rode him so really no excuses other than pure joy!
 
Elf On A Shelf said:
The racehorses bronc through fresheness! Today Elmo couldn't contain himself getting to do his first canter for a while, and it was down hill before we went up (not my choice! That was the work he was down to do!) So he had a wee broncing session to himself, which if not stopped does turn into bucking. He wasn't listening to me trying to pull his head back up from his knees so I roared at him - that gotthe buggers attention and his head back up!

He wasn't doing it through naughtiness or pain or anything of the likes. He was just immensely happy at getting to canter again! He has been out in the field before I rode him so really no excuses other than pure joy!
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Similar to my mare, shes a tb. Think they just love life too much aha
 
Cob Life said:
I just ignore it and carry on like it never happened.

The cob I ride had major issues with using spooking as work avoidance as he worked out with his owner if he spooked at something he stopped, did some easy walking and no longer had to go round that part of the school. When I started riding him he would not go up one end of the arena ridden (he would turned out so I knew he wasn't truly scared) and was really nappy with that and if I got tough and told him he was going he would do a small rear (he wasn't used to people getting a bit tough and enforcing the boundaries). We've remedied that but now especially with him I can't react, I just have to pretend it's never happened and we carry on doing what we were in the first place or he starts to use it to nap again.

ETA if it's persistent and not a learnt behaviour or is unusual for the horse I'd get it checked by a vet. The first horse that threw me off was a super sweet ex racer who wouldn't hurt a fly but I asked him to trot a circle and we both started flying through the air! My instructor wanted me back on him but I refused as it was such unusual behaviour I thought he was injured, luckily she was having a good day so listened to me and I was right, he'd hurt his back.
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Always go with your gut I think that shows!
 
Heinze171 said:
Always go with your gut I think that shows!
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I couldn't believe she asked me to get back on! Partly cause I could barely stand and partly cause he'd never put a hoof wrong at all, a horse doesn't just suddenly decide it is going to become naughty and start fly bucking!
 
In summary: Leg on!

A horse cannot fool around if it is moving forward and engaged.

I have a drama queen of a gelding and I do let him loose in our lunging school once a week in the winter to get his bucks out as turnout is limited. He can buck like a bronco at the rodeo, but only on his own time. When riding he can be a spooky little devil, best strategy? Ignore and leg on.

Sometimes if your response is dramatic, the horse responds with more drama. A quick instant correction (leg or whip to continue forward motion) and move on with your ride.

If the horse began bucking out of the blue I'd look for causes such as saddle fit or other discomfort. If the horse is just cheeky, and it is during this time of the year, help him/her expend their energy in a more constructive way. ;)
 
Heinze171 said:
My mare does it at random times, but normally when spooking! a bird flew in front of her so she did a massive buck at the bird. And my friends horse saw a horse ahead so bronked mentally as the horse was ahead
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I'd regard both of those as very naughty indeed. A bird is unpredictable, but bucking isn't really a reasonable response - spooking, or shooting forwards, is reasonable, but kicking out at the bird isn't. Getting overly silly about other horses in the distance isn't acceptable for a hacking horse either. Whether and how I punished either event would depend on the circumstances and the horse - all of mine would know they had crossed a line purely from me growling at them.

However, I don't think vices are often fixed by punishment in the moment - it's about training and showing the horse a better way in a controlled situation where you can replicate trigger situations and work through them fairly and with minimal stress for the horse so that it can actively learn what you want. Similarly I wouldn't punish a horse for being over energetic in winter - I would enforce boundaries while on board, but it's my job as their owner to improve their management and make it easier for them to behave when I do ask them to work.
 
Heinze171 said:
My mare does it at random times, but normally when spooking! a bird flew in front of her so she did a massive buck at the bird. And my friends horse saw a horse ahead so bronked mentally as the horse was ahead
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Those are just naughty and I have to say mine would be getting a smack if he bucked in either of those situations.

Recently we were out hacking with another girl from the yard, my pony is on very strict vet prescribed walk only work due to being on rehab for a tendon injury, currently the only place that I can hack includes what is normally the gallop track, we walked down it the opposite way to normal and unfortunately there was a tree down blocking the rest of the track so we had to turn round, the other girls horse lost the plot, she lost all control and buggered off into the distance at the gallop, My pony got upset when I said no to joining them and he curled up into a little ball of unhappy pony but at no point did he even think about bucking as he has manners drilled into him, he is only in a french link snaffle but all it took for a No was a half halt.
 
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conniegirl said:
Those are just naughty and I have to say mine would be getting a smack if he bucked in either of those situations.

Recently we were out hacking with another girl from the yard, my pony is on very strict vet prescribed walk only work due to being on rehab for a tendon injury, currently the only place that I can hack includes what is normally the gallop track, we walked down it the opposite way to normal and unfortunately there was a tree down blocking the rest of the track so we had to turn round, the other girls horse lost the plot, she lost all control and buggered off into the distance at the gallop, My pony got upset when I said no to joining them and he curled up into a little ball of unhappy pony but at no point did he even think about bucking as he has manners drilled into him, he is only in a french link snaffle but all it took for a No was a half halt.
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conniegirl said:
Those are just naughty and I have to say mine would be getting a smack if he bucked in either of those situations.

Completely agree with that, if im honest my mare gets a quick half halt and a shout or tap with the short wip or leg. Something to snap her out of it, and she realises straight away she has to stop. but she has another rider who is more gentle so she wont stop if you dont reprimand her if that makes sense
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I've always looked at it that the horse wouldn't do it for no particular reason, so I've always gone with the approach of ignore and just get them moving forward then praise once they have settled a little and moving forward.
If the assumption is everything has been ruled out and it's more a behavioural problem then I'd still treat the same. Just ignore, try and calm them with voice and light aids, once settled then praise again.
 
Charmer91 said:
I've always looked at it that the horse wouldn't do it for no particular reason, so I've always gone with the approach of ignore and just get them moving forward then praise once they have settled a little and moving forward.
If the assumption is everything has been ruled out and it's more a behavioural problem then I'd still treat the same. Just ignore, try and calm them with voice and light aids, once settled then praise again.
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interesting response, ive always been told if you reward they think they can do it again, interesting to read
 
Charmer91 said:
I've always looked at it that the horse wouldn't do it for no particular reason, so I've always gone with the approach of ignore and just get them moving forward then praise once they have settled a little and moving forward.
If the assumption is everything has been ruled out and it's more a behavioural problem then I'd still treat the same. Just ignore, try and calm them with voice and light aids, once settled then praise again.
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Exactly my thinking!
 
So many different reasons. My friend had this with her horse. 4 saddle fitters later, including a made to measure saddle which was anything but, a physio and x rays for kissing spines and 6 months down the line he is just about happy again. All saddle fitters were recommended and only the fourth one she tried gave her a properly fitted saddle where the horse is comfortable. What I am saying is beware of ruling out pain by professionals. If things still aren't right get a second opinion or in her case a fourth opinion.
 
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