Bucking in canter

[AandK]

Looking for anyome who has experienced similar and what the outcome was. Sorry it’s long!

About 4 weeks ago took my horse to a pole/jump clinic (his second time at this venue) he’s still getting used to going out and about but was much more settled this time. Until we tried to canter, he kept bucking (not broncing). Was fine in walk/trot and over poles and small jumps. Back at home I hacked and lunged him with no issues, was able to ride through the bucks in the arena and when he was nice and relaxed got good transitions with no bucks.
Took him out to arena hire Friday last week and was fine to canter on the left, but again was bucking when asking for canter right. And then started to buck just trotting round, nothing big, but as it was right at the end of the session I just walking him off and left it there. The day before we’d gone on a hack in w/t/c with no issues at all. Went for a quiet walk/trot hack on Monday, no issues. Lunged in saddle on Tues, no issues. Rode in arena at home yesterday and he didn’t seem happy, and started to try v small bucks as soon as we went into trot, gave up at this point as clearly something not right. Seems to be when I ask him to use himself in the arena.
No change to management (out 24/7) or feed in last 12 months, other than being shod behind since end of Dec. He’s been going better than ever recently (is 9yo but green, so more like 5yo schooling wise) Had osteo and teeth in April and physio a couple of weeks ago who found no issues. Only thing that changed not long before this started was adding a VIP pad end of March and changing girth a few weeks before it started. I changed back to no pad and old girth on Monday (hacked Mon/lunged Tues), but it didn’t make any difference in the ridden session yesterday, he was worse.
I have the saddler coming out on Monday. Hes had the same saddle past 3yrs but has not been in this level of work before, and has filled out and muscled up these past 2 months (been back in work approx 6months after time off due to removal of keratoma Nov ‘20) Can’t see any glaring issues with saddle fit but he’s the sort to tell you quickly if somethings up. No issues with girthing up or getting on.
Vet is due at yard later in the week so I’ll ask her to have a look also. He had a hock ligament injury almost 3yrs ago, last treated 2yrs ago(steroid injection) so maybe feeling some changes in the joint due to that? Although looking good on lunge soundness wise compared to how he looked when he had the initial injury, although there was no ridden bucking at all back then.

Appreciate it could be anything, but just looking for anyone who’s been through similar while I go through the motions to find out what it is.

 

[Parrotperson]

ulcers? could be something internal rather than external but as always get a good work up from an equine vet.

 

[AandK]

ulcers? could be something internal rather than external but as always get a good work up from an equine vet.

Something on my list to consider, will discuss with vet next week.

 

[Sprogladite01]

I had an old loan horse who bucked in canter - after extensive checking we found he had kissing spines, a torn DDFT and navicular. Despite all that he was at best 1/10 lame - it was super super subtle! Other than the bucking I don't think many people would have known anything was wrong.

My current pony also bucked going into canter - he has chronic bilateral hind PSD, and current query over his SI.

So two ponies with two different problems!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

One of my old lads many years ago now would always put a buck in going into canter.

Knowing what I now know I really sooooh wish I'd "listened" to him as this would be a classic sign of discomfort and/or pain somewhere.

With yours OP I'd get the vet and physio to take a look firstly. Then get teeth checked and saddle-fitter out.

There will be SOMETHING......... this smacks of pain or discomfort somewhere.

 

[AandK]

As per my OP, teeth were done in April, physio looked at him a few weeks ago, saddler last Monday. I also said I was having vet look at him last week. Found the hock he injured 3yrs ago was a bit sore, and the diagonal pair which was the foot he had the keratoma removed from. It’s grown a lot since he was shod 4 weeks ago so possible compensatory issues going on.

He’s having some X-rays done on Friday (hock, foot keratoma was removed from to check balance and back) having his hock medicated and possibly mesotherapy on his back even if no issues are found on xray. Will update after Fridays appointment.

 

[AandK]

Update for those who are interested. Vet came yesterday to X-ray. Found changes in the right hock, which were expected, ligament looked fine on scan so we’ve medicated the hock. X-rayed his front feet, right fine but left needs adjustment shoeing wise as his pedal bone has slight rotation, a result of the surgery 18 months ago. So X-rays will be shown to farrier on Tuesday so we can get the alignment sorted.
Then his back, found some close processes where the back of the saddle sits. Definitely something he’s had for a while, but could be a factor. So he’s had his back medicated as well as mesotherapy to help relax the muscles. He’s resting in the field until shod, then I’ll be starting some long lining until the saddler is back out on 1st July. It’s a case of seeing how he goes after the medication now.

 

[AandK]

Update. Things were looking good until saddler came out last Friday. He was not happy about having his girth done up and was lucky not to seriously hurt himself, me or the saddler. Called the vet who suggested booking him in for a scope. Tried him in the school on Monday to see what reaction he had to a roller and he was happy for me to put it on and do girth up loose, but as soon as I asked him to move he really tensed up and immediately switched his direction on the lunge from left to right. I then tried the saddle and he did the exact same as with the roller. Fortunately not the extreme reaction we had last Friday.
He had his scope this morning and unsurprisingly he has ulcers, grade 2 and 3. It explains his behaviour and as they are in an easy to treat place, hopefully he will be feeling better after a course of gastroguard. He’s going in to rescope in four weeks.

 

[AandK]

Update: rescoped this morning and all looking much better, very pleased. He’s on a tapered down dose of gastroguard now, half for 2 weeks and then a quarter for two weeks. Now comes the fun part, getting him ready to ride again!

 

[JGC]

I hadn't seen this thread, but good on you for listening to your horse. As you've identified and treated a number of physical problems for him, hopefully the ulcers won't be back.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Hi, i didnt see your original post.
But my horse was exactly the same bucking even in trot when pushed forwards etc, upon investigations had hock arthritis, grade 4 ulcers and one close process under the saddle.
Just thought id let you know she is fine now and in full work, but needs yearly hock injections and 24hr turnout. Hope riding goes ok!

 

[AandK]

Hi, i didnt see your original post.
But my horse was exactly the same bucking even in trot when pushed forwards etc, upon investigations had hock arthritis, grade 4 ulcers and one close process under the saddle.
Just thought id let you know she is fine now and in full work, but needs yearly hock injections and 24hr turnout. Hope riding goes ok!

That’s good to hear, thank you for sharing.
Vet said he will definitely need annual hock injections now. He lives out 24/7 anyway. I will see how he goes but probably get his back done regularly too, if we get him back into work!

 

[Zoeypxo]

The ulcers have never returned for mine so i assume it was from the hock/back pain so just needs to be kept on top of.
Hopefully the same for your boy. Let us know how you get on!

 

[MystieMoo]

That’s good to hear, thank you for sharing.
Vet said he will definitely need annual hock injections now. He lives out 24/7 anyway. I will see how he goes but probably get his back done regularly too, if we get him back into work!

I've not visited the Forum for a while and have just read your post - so glad everything is going well.

Our mare was acting in a slightly similar way at the end of last year - turned out it was a badly fitting saddle (I'm not very knowledgeable on saddle fit) and her Prolite girth on back to front! This explained the soreness on her back and the soreness in her girth area. Osteopath, new saddle fitter, and girth on the right way round and off she went! I wouldn't mind, but the saddle fitter came regularly which made me very cross. My daughter got started late with her eventing this year because of all the faff and after her event in May decided to try dressage anyway as the ground is like rock and she doesn't want to risk her mare on it.

Just really wanted to say that I am glad you are sorted as I know the worry involved!

 

[AandK]

Thank you MystieMoo.

Just to add, as I can’t edit my last post. When I say get his back done regularly, I meant get it injected when we do his hocks, he already has regular physio and osteo.

 

[AandK]

Update: I’m back on board! Have spent the last couple of weeks working him in hand and on the lunge with the saddle on and he’s been happy. So got on this morning and he was such a good boy! Some very slight but expected tension to start, but he relaxed very quickly and offered some lovely stretching during our short trots on each rein. We then went for a little amble up the track after. So pleased! I’ve also upgraded his saddle, it’s lovely and Charlie agreed!

 

[Birker2020]

Great news!

Mine had his processes done, hocks si and coffin joints medicated, i suspect ulcers so being scoped next week.

Still naughty on ocassion for rider although doesn't feel as bad as before he had his KS medicated so really hoping its ulcers like your horse.

Glad you are back on board, enjoy the rest of the summer.

 

[AandK]

Great news!

Mine had his processes done, hocks si and coffin joints medicated, i suspect ulcers so being scoped next week.

Still naughty on ocassion for rider although doesn't feel as bad as before he had his KS medicated so really hoping its ulcers like your horse.

Glad you are back on board, enjoy the rest of the summer.

Thank you! Good luck with the scope next week for your boy.

 

[Birker2020]

Thank you! Good luck with the scope next week for your boy.

Thank you