Bucking in Trot/Canter

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Lina2023

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Hi, posting as I’m after advice on what we may have missed / where to go next.

We bought our lovely Connie last July - she was foot perfect between July to November (although she had some back stiffness and saddle didn’t fit - we addressed this with regular physio and a new saddle).

In November she started bucking - it was only the odd buck at first, we were advised “winter freshness” and carried on riding. Worked 3-4 times per week with continued physio, regular dentist, saddle recheck etc.

It has continued since - she goes through cycles of it becoming better, then worsening again.

On top of the physio, dentist, saddle fitter we have also had work ups with our vet and with a specialist lameness vet who did X-rays and ultrasounds and could see nothing that explained the behaviour. No lameness, excellent flexion tests (and typically didn’t buck under saddle while we were there).

We have tried Agnus Castus (chasteberry) in case it was hormonal. We’ve also given a course of omeprazole in case of ulcers and we have given almost 3 months on CBD in case of any missed pain.

She bucks on the lunge and also when ridden bareback. She is as happy as anything in the field and canters away. She also did a fun ride in May and didn’t buck once, virtually galloped all 8 miles out of excitement. She is better behaved on hacks vs in the school.

Current instructor has been working on getting both my daughter and horse more relaxed and that has helped a bit but behaviour remains.

Any ideas on where to go next?

Thanks
 
Lina2023 said:
Hi, posting as I’m after advice on what we may have missed / where to go next.

We bought our lovely Connie last July - she was foot perfect between July to November (although she had some back stiffness and saddle didn’t fit - we addressed this with regular physio and a new saddle).

In November she started bucking - it was only the odd buck at first, we were advised “winter freshness” and carried on riding. Worked 3-4 times per week with continued physio, regular dentist, saddle recheck etc.

It has continued since - she goes through cycles of it becoming better, then worsening again.

On top of the physio, dentist, saddle fitter we have also had work ups with our vet and with a specialist lameness vet who did X-rays and ultrasounds and could see nothing that explained the behaviour. No lameness, excellent flexion tests (and typically didn’t buck under saddle while we were there).

We have tried Agnus Castus (chasteberry) in case it was hormonal. We’ve also given a course of omeprazole in case of ulcers and we have given almost 3 months on CBD in case of any missed pain.

She bucks on the lunge and also when ridden bareback. She is as happy as anything in the field and canters away. She also did a fun ride in May and didn’t buck once, virtually galloped all 8 miles out of excitement. She is better behaved on hacks vs in the school.

Current instructor has been working on getting both my daughter and horse more relaxed and that has helped a bit but behaviour remains.

Any ideas on where to go next?

Thanks
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Forgot to mention this is mainly when asking for canter but she will also occasionally buck in trot (and has very rarely thrown some shapes in walk).

We do long-reining and pole work, she isn’t over worked and her weight is managed.
 
Lina2023 said:
Forgot to mention this is mainly when asking for canter but she will also occasionally buck in trot (and has very rarely thrown some shapes in walk).

We do long-reining and pole work, she isn’t over worked and her weight is managed.
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She’s also had a bridle and bit fit
 
I hate to bring up PSSM but this is very much a sign. Nothing specific causing problems but an obviously uncomfortable horse. I did once ask why canter is the pace that seems to cause issues and it was relating to the use of the fast twitch muscles.

Connies are a subject of research by the RVC (I think) but if you know the breeding then there is a FB page that is specifically for connie owners with suspected myopathies and then could certainly advise on what has helped their ponies

Has the vet taken any bloods? Getting post exercise bloods taken can really help show whether or not those muscles are struggling.

The other thing is to get someone else on her and see if it is an unbalanced rider issue. You don't have to be a bad rider to be wonky and with sensitive horses that can sometimes just cause problems.
 
Thank you, I will do some more reading on PSSM and speak to the vet about it. I don’t subscribe to the “ruled out pain” theory as I can’t think that she’d be doing this without a reason. I just don’t have bottomless pockets so was after advice on what to look into next 😊 Only blood test done was an insulin level at the beginning of the year (normal).

Main rider is my 12 year old daughter and she has a monthly biomechanics lesson as well as weekly BHS lessons and has really gone back to basics to make sure everything is spot on. We are asking a fabulous rider on the yard to school her a few days a week to see if that makes any difference too.

Do you have the name of the FB page by any chance? I’m on the general Connie page if that’s it.

Many thanks for your help!
 
Lina2023 said:
Thank you, I will do some more reading on PSSM and speak to the vet about it. I don’t subscribe to the “ruled out pain” theory as I can’t think that she’d be doing this without a reason. I just don’t have bottomless pockets so was after advice on what to look into next 😊 Only blood test done was an insulin level at the beginning of the year (normal).

Main rider is my 12 year old daughter and she has a monthly biomechanics lesson as well as weekly BHS lessons and has really gone back to basics to make sure everything is spot on. We are asking a fabulous rider on the yard to school her a few days a week to see if that makes any difference too.

Do you have the name of the FB page by any chance? I’m on the general Connie page if that’s it.

Many thanks for your help!
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She’s definitely not lacking in energy, she’s a very naturally forward horse! Complete puzzle!
 
Lina2023 said:
Both reins! She’s been much better with our friend schooling her over the weekend - she thinks about it then stops. I still have a niggle that we might be missing something though!
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Ah ok, just if it was just one rein then it could be down to a lameness issue.

If she is better with your friend schooling ut could be a balance thing or you might need to re check and try differenr saddles
 
Slightlyconfused said:
Ah ok, just if it was just one rein then it could be down to a lameness issue.

If she is better with your friend schooling ut could be a balance thing or you might need to re check and try differenr saddles
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Yes she’s much much better with our friend schooling, doesn’t look too pleased about being asked to work but isn’t bucking and is transitioning well on both reins!
 
Lina2023 said:
Yes she’s much much better with our friend schooling, doesn’t look too pleased about being asked to work but isn’t bucking and is transitioning well on both reins!
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I do think she has a balance issue and she tries to escape it or throw out her shoulder to compensate. Hopefully with more correct schooling and improved fitness, this will all help. Just worries me that we could have missed something!

Saddle fitter due out again soon, we agreed to spend a couple of months building back up again after resting her to see if saddle can be adjusted or needs swapping!
 
Unusual for a Connie, but my ISH started bucking around a year after I got him, and, after various investigations, it was found to be kissing spine - has this been looked at?
 
Sugar Plum said:
Unusual for a Connie, but my ISH started bucking around a year after I got him, and, after various investigations, it was found to be kissing spine - has this been looked at?
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Yes it has, no kissing spine and no arthritis in facet joints. I was expecting it myself but the vet said all good.
 
Bucking in transition could be a stifle issue. My old new forest was completely sound saw vet, saw saddler, tried bute trial. Couldn't find anything obvious wrong with him. Got a massage therapist out that was recommended by YO he said he was really tight in the stifle area but he believed a course of massage therapy would do the trick. I think he had four treatments and then the therapist said he would be fine. I was terrified to try cantering again but he was absolutely fine. Vet originally said they thought he was being fresh and lively but it was really not like him. I was sure that there was something not right but I had had him for 6 years at that point so knew him very well.
 
SO1 said:
Bucking in transition could be a stifle issue. My old new forest was completely sound saw vet, saw saddler, tried bute trial. Couldn't find anything obvious wrong with him. Got a massage therapist out that was recommended by YO he said he was really tight in the stifle area but he believed a course of massage therapy would do the trick. I think he had four treatments and then the therapist said he would be fine. I was terrified to try cantering again but he was absolutely fine. Vet originally said they thought he was being fresh and lively but it was really not like him. I was sure that there was something not right but I had had him for 6 years at that point so knew him very well.
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Thank you, I’m glad the massage worked well and brought him comfort! We do have regular massage too, due again in a couple of weeks. She was really happy with how she felt last time but I’ll ask her again.
 
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