L&M
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I have a lovely cob who I bought last winter for showing, hunting and general RC activities. He is fantastic, jumps well and am having considerable sucess in the show ring and at other events.
However he also has a wicked buck - he does not do it every time he is ridden, just occasionally when he is in 'one of those moods'. They do not bother me as am used to them and he only tends to do them at home as usually knows how to behave at competitons.
However I took him to a show yesterday do do some working hunter classes for the first time ever he bucked in the ring. It was very hot and the horse flies were terrible, not that was an excuse, but cannot have this behaviour in the ring as reflects badly on his manners. Equally I do not want to put a judge on him if there is any risk that he might do it to them also.
He has had his back and saddle recently checked, and although due for teeth, has always thrown in the occasional buck prior to these checks.
Therefore my question is how do I make him know that this behaviour is not acceptable, without making him do it more!! My gut reaction yesterday was to give him a good smack for doing it, but being in the show ring, couldn't. Also if I do give him a tap with the whip I don't want him to throw such a whopper that I come off!
Prior to buying him he had 9mnths off so although not a youngster, had to bring him back into work. If he is in a bucking mood he tends to do it when you ask for canter, and will occasionally do it after a jump too. However as I said he doesn't do it all the time, and may not buck for weeks.
Feed wise, he is currently out 24/7 except for the night before a comp, and only gets lo-cal feed balancer with a handful of chaff. He is ridden between 5-6 days a week so is quite fit.
Any ideas?
I have a lovely cob who I bought last winter for showing, hunting and general RC activities. He is fantastic, jumps well and am having considerable sucess in the show ring and at other events.
However he also has a wicked buck - he does not do it every time he is ridden, just occasionally when he is in 'one of those moods'. They do not bother me as am used to them and he only tends to do them at home as usually knows how to behave at competitons.
However I took him to a show yesterday do do some working hunter classes for the first time ever he bucked in the ring. It was very hot and the horse flies were terrible, not that was an excuse, but cannot have this behaviour in the ring as reflects badly on his manners. Equally I do not want to put a judge on him if there is any risk that he might do it to them also.
He has had his back and saddle recently checked, and although due for teeth, has always thrown in the occasional buck prior to these checks.
Therefore my question is how do I make him know that this behaviour is not acceptable, without making him do it more!! My gut reaction yesterday was to give him a good smack for doing it, but being in the show ring, couldn't. Also if I do give him a tap with the whip I don't want him to throw such a whopper that I come off!
Prior to buying him he had 9mnths off so although not a youngster, had to bring him back into work. If he is in a bucking mood he tends to do it when you ask for canter, and will occasionally do it after a jump too. However as I said he doesn't do it all the time, and may not buck for weeks.
Feed wise, he is currently out 24/7 except for the night before a comp, and only gets lo-cal feed balancer with a handful of chaff. He is ridden between 5-6 days a week so is quite fit.
Any ideas?
