Bucking in Canter

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cob1

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Hi everyone!

Just wanted some tips on cantering my large cob in teh school! WHen in the school he throws 'half bucks' in canter after about 5/6 strides - kicks out with backend and often changes leg.

Hes come back into full work since a ligament injury in back, hes been checked by vet etc and has no pain at all. Saddler checks saddle every 8 weeks etc.

Hes no bother in walk / trot and doesnt do much out hacking apart from being very strong in canter!

I push him hard with the legs through it, but it almost like its an evasion to stop cantering. Im not too bothered about the bucks, but need to be able to keep him going or he is going to learn that he can do it and trot all the time.

Thanks
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The vet said not to lunge as a rule with the injury he had, especially as he tends to tear about.

Probably wouldnt hurt him now maybe, 6 months down the line??
 
I would say he's anticpating pain still.
A few horses I've know in the past which developed anti-social problems due to ill-fitting tack, or pain through injury, still carried on objecting, for a while after the problem had been corrected.

If you are sure he is no longer in any pain, and his saddle is 100% well fitting. You could try a few things:
Use a prolite or wool numnah for a while.
Lunge with your saddle on, but no rider, and work on lots of transitions (trot to canter, canter to trot, etc, etc)
A couple of lessons with an instructer might be the best way forward, and she may give you this or a similar excerise: each time he bucks. stop and rein back 2 paces, then carry on in canter. I stopped a habitual bucker within a week by doing this excerise.
 
Just wondering as if he doesn't do it that might indicate its a problem with the saddle/back afterall. Does he do it hacking as well as schooling. Sometimes if its just being stuffy and not wanting to work in the school you can push them a bit more fowards out on a hack and ride them through it. My mare used to go wild on the lunge in canter but with her it was a panic reaction as her balance wasnt' very good.
 
I agree with the above, sometimes they do it from habit like a phsycological thing. Lots of transitions was a good one too, keep him thinking if you're sure he's not in any pain.good luck!
 
Maybe he isnt physically ready to canter yet or he finds it painful? Stick to trot for a while longer and build up his strength, balance and suppleness then try again.

Make sure that the rider isnt contributing either, either by changes in balance or rein contact.
 
Have you had him physioed?? if he has had an injury he may have been moving differently and cauesd some muscle spasam which in turn is making it him buck in canter coz its uncomftable
 
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