Bucking pony problem

[Giles R]

Help! Ive taken on a 20yr old welsh x as a loaner for my daughter. The issue is that having been out of work for 12 months she has developed a bucking habit. Teeth, back, saddle fit, feet have all been checked and she does it with any rider. My daughter is a competent rider but only 7 so cant.school a pony herself. Can anyone suggest a solution? Thank you.

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Assuming by "checked" you mean by a qualified professional, then my next thought with a pony that age would be arthritis (knees, hocks, neck - take your pick). Of course most ponies can put in the occasional buck (usually if they're particularly excited, or frustrated at not being allowed forward etc) but if it's consistent behaviour then I personally would be assuming it's pain related.

 

[evie.equine]

Mabe lunge and get loads of energy out before she or anyone else rides? That used to help with the spicey chestnut I used to ride but obviously every horse is different though? Sorry I couldn't be more helpful!

 

[FestiveFuzz]

What was the reason for them being out of work for 12 months? The fact she’s bucking with any rider suggests it’s either a pain response or learnt behaviour. I’d speak to the owner and see what their take is on it, and perhaps see if they’re willing to get a vet work up done to help narrow down what the issue is. It might also be worth getting the saddle double checked by another fitter just in case it’s causing discomfort.

 

[ycbm]

If she's a loan why don't you send her back? Otherwise, I think it's going to cost you a lot of money to investigate and treat and/or retrain, and potential loss of confidence/injury for your daughter.
.

 

[Wishfilly]

Personally, for a 7yo I'd want something safe/sane/sensible. As you say, at her age, bucking will be hard to deal with, and probably put her off quickly. I also think you should send her back, and try to find something more suitable.

 

[Shay]

Depends on precisely what you mean by bucking - and in response to what. But in general terms it sounds like something of a can of worms. Bucking can be a learned behaviour - but they learn it for a reason. I would worry about being 20 and having been out of work for 12 months. Assuming teeth / back / tack etc have all been checked recently I would start with a vet workup - athritis somewhere would be a first guess. Coming back into work after 12 months off you'll need to check and re-fit the saddle every few months as the shape changes so if that hasn't been done recently then you need to re-check. TBH for a loan pony and for such a young child I would echo the advice to return it and get soemthing more suitable. Confidence in children is so easily and quickly damaged. What can seem like fine one moment is anything but the next. She needs something she can have fun on and grow in confidence with.

 

[Regandal]

What is the pony being asked to do when it bucks? My horse started bucking when asked to canter, turned out he has hock arthritis. Steroid injections have worked, touch wood.

 

[sbloom]

What is the pony being asked to do when it bucks? My horse started bucking when asked to canter, turned out he has hock arthritis. Steroid injections have worked, touch wood.

And bucking into canter can also be saddle, I see saddles that have been checked but it's still the cause - usually tipping back and often too far forwards (tree points should be absolute minimum 1.5" behind the back edge of the shoulder blade).

 

[Giles R]

Thanks all. The bucking used to be on transitions but change of saddle fixed it. Now it is deliberately to remove rider. Its also pretty 'nappy'. Im minded to just hack it (its good as gold hacking) while I look for something else. I really dont want to cause a crisis of confidence.

 

[Giles R]

What was the reason for them being out of work for 12 months? The fact she’s bucking with any rider suggests it’s either a pain response or learnt behaviour. I’d speak to the owner and see what their take is on it, and perhaps see if they’re willing to get a vet work up done to help narrow down what the issue is. It might also be worth getting the saddle double checked by another fitter just in case it’s causing discomfort.

Just out of work as they didnt have a small rider. Ive had a vet look at her. The back is fine but front of neck is sore. Its a tricky one to conclude on!

 

[Bellaboo18]

Poor pony.

 

[Annagain]

Thanks all. The bucking used to be on transitions but change of saddle fixed it. Now it is deliberately to remove rider. Its also pretty 'nappy'. Im minded to just hack it (its good as gold hacking) while I look for something else. I really dont want to cause a crisis of confidence.

If the behaviour escalated with a different saddle, it could be that the new saddle is no better (or even worse) than the old one. I'd get a second opinion on that. It could also be that there's something physical going on that's deteriorating so the behaviour is escalating - this could be why hacking is ok as there's less pressure on joints while going in straight lines.

If a second saddle check reveals nothing, I'd send the pony back whether you've found another or not. If it is pain that's getting worse, it's only a matter of time before it starts out hacking too and as you say, you don't want to knock your daughter's confidence just as she's getting going or cause the pony any more pain.

 

[Leandy]

Mm I can't really see how a pony can develop a bucking habit whilst out of work! So I would think it had it before. Was the pony in work doing the sort of thing you want to do with a similarly small rider prior to that? If there isn't evidence of this then I think the pony is not suitable for your child and you should send it back. If it was, then it is worth persevering a bit I think and getting it back into a proper work routine but you will need to manage it carefully so as not to scare your daughter. What is it like on the lunge? Can you get her riding successfully in all three paces on the lunge, then gradually let off the lunge in an arena until they are confident together working through transitions etc etc always making sure the rider is firmly in control? She may need to be very firm with the pony to start with, so it knows it won't be able to buck etc. They can't buck if they can't get their heads down to do it, but often children are not strong or quick enough to prevent it unfortunately. It is quite possible that pony is fine with a stronger rider but has learnt to take advantage of a weaker one. Sadly I don't think there is much you can do once they have learnt that, except teach the child to ride the pony effectively when likely the problem will disappear. It may be that this isn't the pony for you at this stage of your child's riding, in which case I would send it back.

 

[Bellaboo18]

See to me the pony was bucking on transition but change of saddle stopped that so this is a pony that knows how to say, that hurts.
How long was the pony in a saddle that was uncomfortable? You dont change a saddle and all damage done magically disappears.
A vet has said he's sore in the neck, has anything been done about this?
Hes an ageing pony so chances of arthritic changes are high. Hes been out of work for a year so unfit. Hes saying do one for a reason.

A classic post of teeth, back, saddle done so no possibility of any pain...

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I'm skeptical of pony "developing" a bucking habit whilst being out of work. Either pony had an injury before or has lost muscle/condition whilst being off and the saddle doesn't fit. Suppose there is the chance they twinged something in the field but less likely.

I'd definitely be getting a second opinion on the saddle fit (who initially checked it?). Does pony buck on the lunge? Does pony buck out hacking or just in school? Has the pony been seen by a vet, had a trot up etc? What have the owners said?

At only 7 I would probably be finding another pony for your daughter to ride and quickly, confidence is a fragile thing!

 

[Goldenstar]

At twenty I would let the pony retire .

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Just out of work as they didnt have a small rider. Ive had a vet look at her. The back is fine but front of neck is sore. Its a tricky one to conclude on!

I wouldn’t be wanting anyone to ride this pony, the vet says the front of the neck is sore, yet the pony is being ridden? This pony is screaming out pain!

stop anyone riding the pony, Send it back, unless you’re willing to foot the bills for intensive investigations. Poor pony.

 

[scruffyponies]

I am doubtful that a 20 year old pony would suddenly start bucking for any reason other than extreme discomfort (and most are very stoic, so I mean extreme).
Personally I would rule out saddle-related pain by seeing how she goes without one, even if that means borrowing a confident lightweight rider for an afternoon.
If it isn't the saddle then this pony is telling you loud and clear that she doesn't want to do the work you require, in which case you will do no good to pony or child by carrying on.

 

[Wishfilly]

Thanks all. The bucking used to be on transitions but change of saddle fixed it. Now it is deliberately to remove rider. Its also pretty 'nappy'. Im minded to just hack it (its good as gold hacking) while I look for something else. I really dont want to cause a crisis of confidence.

Honestly, I would just send the pony back whilst you look for another. If you feel your 7yo needs to keep her riding ticking over, I'd get lessons at a riding school or see if she can have a sit on a friend's pony a few times. The pony sounds unhappy and in pain from something, and I would be worried about this escalating out hacking. In my opinion, riding something that's purposefully trying to get the rider off is a sure fire way to cause a child to fall out of love with riding. And it only takes one nasty fall to cause a serious injury.

I also agree with others that it's a welfare issue to continue to ride this pony.

 

[Giles R]

Quick update since there were many questions & concerns out there.
Two different equine vets have now checked her over & say she is fit to ride. A professional has been massaging the neck, which has helped mobility but not behaviour, a saddle fitter and a riding instructor have both looked at the saddle. Teeth & feet all sorted & I have taken her for a gentle session with a very good coach.
I haven't let her ride in open space again but have tried 2 small hacks which were absolutely fine until in areas she wasn't familiar with - she napped a few times and more worryingly span round a couple of times. Once I held a rein to get her moving she did. TBH my conscience is clear, pony is in massively better condition than when I started but time to move on. Anyone got a pony they need pampering? I should have got my daughter into ballet or music, not ponies!