Bucking in canter transition, any ideas what may be causing this?

[Anglebracket]

I've had my mare for just over a year and in that time she has never bucked with me. About three weeks ago she started bucking in the school and does it pretty much every time she is in there. Initially I thought this was nappy behaviour but she now only seems to do it in the canter transition. Once the canter gets going she seems ok. She is particularly reluctant on the left rein. She tends to offer the wrong lead on this rein.

I have had her saddle checked two weeks ago and it fits well. Had her teeth rasped and back checked about six weeks ago. Her back was fine. A professional rider rode her last week. My mare played up in the canter transition with her as well but the rider rode her through it.

Any suggestions what could be causing this behaviour? Could it be the the bit? (it was changed about two months ago from a happy mouth full cheek to Jeffries revolver mouth hanging snaffle, because the happy mouth was rubbing the corners of her mouth). Any physical causes other than her back that are worth investigating?

I could have her schooled intensively by professional riders if the problem is due to behavioural issues, however, I am concerned that this would make the situation worse if the underlying cause is pain related.

Thank you very much for reading this.

 

[LaurenBay]

I would get the Pysio out to check your Horse, could be muscle related. Esepecially since you mentioned your Horse finds it hard to pick up the correct canter lead.

 

[smiffyimp]

I would get the Pysio out to check your Horse, could be muscle related. Esepecially since you mentioned your Horse finds it hard to pick up the correct canter lead.

^^^this^^^

 

[forestfantasy]

How old is she? This could be a young horse trait, we have had quite a few like this over the years, they often find the canter transition unbalancing and throw a buck in. They all grew out of it as they matured at became more balanced in themselves.
I would still get a physio out to be on the safe side (and obviously if she isn't a youngster)

 

[rhino]

How does she find the transitions when she is lunged or looseschooled? Are they smooth or does she chuck her head up or rush into canter?

 

[noodle_]

Mine did this - started when she just turned 5.....

It started off being her saddle/back - so sorted that out.... then she just did it out of habbit!.....

so could be somehting like that ^?


She *touch wood* hasnt done it for a long time - and even if she did now id know its because of pain as shes not a nasty horse

 

[Anglebracket]

How old is she? This could be a young horse trait, we have had quite a few like this over the years, they often find the canter transition unbalancing and throw a buck in. They all grew out of it as they matured at became more balanced in themselves.
I would still get a physio out to be on the safe side (and obviously if she isn't a youngster)

She is 7, so not a youngster anymore.

I will get her back checked by a physio as suggested by you, LaurenBay and smiffyimp.

 

[WelshTilly]

My mare does very similar in canter transitions when im trying to push her forward she is an idle toad at the best of times as was never hacked prior to me owning her. She is worse on a right rein and picks the wrong lead quite a lot of the time. Having done all the usual checks and my instructor riding her (same as you op my mare played up with her but she rode her forwards and she was fine) we have put it down to her idleness being a mare , her being unfit and me not driving her forward enough .On a hack she is a saint!!

It may be worth getting a physio to look at her back and maybe get some one on the ground to watch theres nothing like a second opinion and someone who can see the whole picture!! What is she like on a hack when asking for canter?

In recent weeks whilst schooling ive really been concentrating on trot to canter transitions and pushing her into the contact ive been doing lots of circles and loops ive also been lunging with lots of transitions she now works really well to the voice and i can get a trasition just from caaannnttter on.....

I must say this has had a real effect and after a lesson yesterday she only bucked once when i asked for canter on a 10m circle, she had a hissy fit resulting in me up round her neck i recovered and pushed her forward and she behaved like a saint for the rest of the lesson i even got some flying changes out of her without her getting stroppy lol!!!

 

[Anglebracket]

How does she find the transitions when she is lunged or looseschooled? Are they smooth or does she chuck her head up or rush into canter?

I have not lunged her recently because she is not good to lunge. Very unenthusiastic and will stop at any opportunity (she is similar in the horse walker, she figured out how to bring it to a stand still within 5 minutes). I have not free schooled at my current yard because there is no secure area to do it in.

I could try lunging her this weekend. What would a smooth versus rough transition indicate?

 

[rhino]

I could try lunging her this weekend. What would a smooth versus rough transition indicate?

It would help rule out if it was a saddle/rider issue (not criticising your riding!) or whether the transition itself was something she found difficult.. and therefore possibly point to a stifle/si type injury (among other things) ... It wouldn't diagnose anything but maybe give you a bit more information

My boy is very long backed and finds canter transitions difficult. I had to do a lot of work in canter out hacking (straight line work is much easier than working in the school) and keeping a very light seat in canter to begin with.

The fact that it is a fairly recent occurrence with your mare and the difficulty in striking off with the correct lead would make me suspect there is something physical underlying though.

 

[ihatework]

As she is not particularly young and as you have said this is a recent onset of untypical behaviour I personally think it would be worth a vet visit, particularly for some hock flexions, especially if, when in canter she is sometimes then going disunited (?).

 

[crabbymare]

Ditto having the vet out, does she do transitions properly when you are out hacking or is it only in the school, and in the school does she still buck if you let her stick her nose out, trot faster and run into the transition instead of making her go from behind?

 

[peanut]

I haven't read all the replies, but my mare had exactly the same problem. Got the vet out and he diagnosed her with suspensory ligament damage and bone spavin.

I sincerely hope you are luckier, but definitely get the vet to check your horse.

 

[Anglebracket]

As she is not particularly young and as you have said this is a recent onset of untypical behaviour I personally think it would be worth a vet visit, particularly for some hock flexions, especially if, when in canter she is sometimes then going disunited (?).

I haven't read all the replies, but my mare had exactly the same problem. Got the vet out and he diagnosed her with suspensory ligament damage and bone spavin.

I sincerely hope you are luckier, but definitely get the vet to check your horse.

Thank you both for pointing out that the bucking could be caused by problems with her hocks. I will get her back and hocks checked out by a vet first and then have a specialist look at her back if vet thinks it would help.

Martha, I am very sorry to hear about your mare. I hope you have found a treatment that works for her.

 

[Anglebracket]

Ditto having the vet out, does she do transitions properly when you are out hacking or is it only in the school, and in the school does she still buck if you let her stick her nose out, trot faster and run into the transition instead of making her go from behind?

The last canter I've had on a hack was 10 days ago. She did not buck then. In the school the tension / bucking starts as soon as she anticipates canter. I did give her a longer rein but it did not make much of a difference.

 

[debsflo]

mine did this and it was her hind suspensory ligament. def get vet check..

 

[MrsMozart]

We had this with Little Cob, though he would buck on hacks in the trot to canter transition as well. Not big bucks and would then canter okay. Vet checked. Off for a full work up at the AHT (due to getting quickly but progressively more 'not right') - diaganosed with sacroilliac joint issue, and something neurological. Been on field rest for over a year now, just going to start bringing him back into work, see how it goes.

I hope your lass is fine, but I'm glad you're getting a vet out.

 

[peanut]

Anglebracket, I wonder if you horse finds it easier to get the canter transition on a straight line rather than a corner - that was certainly the case with mine.

Because my horse was diagnosed with two problems (suspensory and spavin), it's difficult to know which was the main cause.

I'd be really interested to hear an update after the vet has been. Good luck

 

[Teagan]

We had this with Little Cob, though he would buck on hacks in the trot to canter transition as well. Not big bucks and would then canter okay. Vet checked. Off for a full work up at the AHT (due to getting quickly but progressively more 'not right') - diaganosed with sacroilliac joint issue, and something neurological. Been on field rest for over a year now, just going to start bringing him back into work, see how it goes.

I hope your lass is fine, but I'm glad you're getting a vet out.

Totally agree with Mrs Mozart. Had exactly the same problem with my Show Cob - sacroilliac issue diagnosed a few years ago by Leahurst.

Gave her treatment and time off but sorry to say never came right again.

Doesn't mind a little canter on a long flat field (but canters like a cow with her back legs) but can not canter in the school at all.

All this first started/was noted with bucks on transitions from trot into canter, which was very unlike her at all, found out later that this was because it 'hurt' to get her legs under her, still does. Cant round her up either and make her work as it hurts too much as it puts pressure on that joint, so now we just hack long and low and dander about.

Wish I had caught it a lot sooner and not listened to other people just telling me she was being naughty. I should have known my own mare and stuck by my instincts.

You get the vet out to your horsey, ask your vet to be considered with bi-lateral lameness behind - which was another problem as to why my girl was undiagnosed for so long as she looked ok but once sent to Leahurst where they nerve blocked etc, found that she was 2/10th and 3/10th bilaterally lame which was masking the issue - which again is a problem with sacroilliac injuries.

Sorry to sound gloom and doom, but I would really go with those who are suggesting a vet check up in the first instance. Catch it quickly and you can nip any problems in the bud.

I have had other friends be in a similar position to myself, diagnosed early, horses given early treatment and physio etc and have come back sound and jumping / showing.

 

[sugarpuff]

My ned was diagnosed with sacroiliac problems earlier this year after continually finding trot canter transitions difficult. I'd had teeth done, new saddles, physio, etc. He was never lame and never bucked but was unhappy in canter transitions. I thought was down to him being young (5) but turned out to be sacroiliac. Had steroid injections, 6 weeks lunge work, another new saddle ( from a different and much better fitter - at great expense - thank god for credit cards) and is now back in full work with a fab uphill steady canter! His transitions are still a bit green, but this is now due to habit rather than pain, and getting better each week. My original saddle was a wide fitting, but I'm now convinced it was still pinching behind his wither, not allowing his shoulders to move, which in turn allowed him to not use his back end, which was then weak, and I think he strained it in the field, although I don't think I will ever really know the exact cause.

I thought I had done everything right, but it was only after 3 days with an international dressage rider that we thought he "wasn't quite right".

Could be several things, but vet is best bet. I have an excellent vet, but we were referred to a specialist vet for bone scans. Hope all turns out ok..