Does bucking have to be bad??

[skewby]

My horse and I have made a big leap forward with our schooling lately

it's brill! He had just under 4 weeks off with an injury and now is sound as a pound and back in work and full of it, he doesn't seem to like time off!

However in his new way of going he's started to throw in the odd buck - twice out hacking last weekend (first hack out since time off) and once in his lesson. The hacking ones seemed to be sheer exuberance as he was grunting with excitement when I let him have a canter, and the schooling one was in response to a tap with the whip (I think I may have been holding on to the front end too much, so the buck was "I'll go forward if you get off, stupid!"!

He's having saddle checked today for fit, but he's going so well and feels so great in himself, I wondered if the bucking could possibly be just easier now he's working more correctly? Bucks are not nasty at a by the way just funny little ones

 

[RubysGold]

Bucking isn't always bad imo, think its just excitement alot of the time. My Roo used to buck every time I jumped her, through excitement, and she bucks if I use my whip, but like with your horse, they are not nasty, just expressing emotion.
Nickie

 

[Tabbi]

I am no expert! but a horse I tend to ride at the stables bucks/bunny hops when we have a battle of wills!!!
He only tends to buck when the whip is used on him and I only use it when he sticks his backside in a field of crops and refuses to move until he has eaten some!
I shorten my reins and stop him from eating then he refuses to move even tho I am using loads of leg so the last resort is the whip to which he bunny hops as to say "I dont think so!!"
With him I think its more of his personality then being bad its just him expressing himself......and I think he is great!

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

LC bucks with excitement when he is out hacking and we have a blast. Makes me laugh as they aren't trying to get the rider off. Dizz occassionally bucks if I tap her bum with a stick, which I take to be a warningas they aren't big bucks.

 

[HumBugsey]

I used to know a horse that bucked a lot at a riding school, they were rubbish! But he was big so with other people they'd get put off, stop hastling him and he could slop about. I'd give him a boot or a slap and we'd carry on for a while in the cycle, then he might try to bolt but again, last about four strides before he'd give up! lol I used to laugh my head off through all of this and he ended up being a sort of test horse. He wasn't dangerous, he competed up to medium, but was just a clever old riding school horse! lol I still smile thinking about him

 

[skewby]

Thankies all, glad noone immediately said "he is in pain!". I am pretty sure he's not because he wouldn't go as well as he does atm. Saddler has been today and confirmed that muscle change indicates he is working correctly and that saddle still fits

dead chuffed actually

Oh and meant to add I asked as he hasn't bucked since he was about 4 lol! They are fun actually, he flicks his head first and squeals but they are sooo gentle, and I'm pleased there is more "up" than down ifykwim

 

[kerilli]

sounds as if he's just having fun and expressing himself... i think you can tell the difference between a resentful, sore buck (ears back usually) and a whoopee, i feel great kind of buck!

 

[skewby]

Yay! Thanks

yes he is definitely the latter rather than former, he's all relaxed and soft with it, having a ball!!

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Sounds like my cob!!

She sometimes bucks when over excited at having a canter when out hacking and if she hasn't been schooled for a while will put in the odd buck when going into canter in the school - I think it helps her sort her balance out - they aren't designed to get you off or the warning of something bigger so I just ride her through it. She has her saddle,teeth and back checked regularly and are all fine so I just think she is being a cheeky minx!!

 

[Mickeymoo]

I don't do bucking in any shape or form. Can you imagine my horror when I bought Mick and he turned out to be a serial bucker.

Maybe he is just excited about being back in work.

 

[skewby]

Oh MM sorry but, lol! I think that is the case with mine so I am sure yours will be the same

 

[Mickeymoo]

Blooming animals. lol x

 

[Tabbi]

A horse at the yard bucks....not in a bad way tho. He tends to buck when he farts and scares himself so he starts bucking!!! lol

 

[Dubsie]

No 1 Little Grey Welshie bucks mini bucks for fun, just one maybe 2 for good measure if asked to canter when she hasn't for ages or just because she's having fun like on a hack in company. Never malicious though.
No2 LGW bucks when mega excited, when asked to canter which is VERY exciting. However she's longer and has a HUGE buck, and doesn't do it once , or even twice she does if down the whole of one side of the arena round the corner and carries on and on till the rider is inseated, and then if still there carries on round the other side - not nice. Think she's doing it initially because excited, then because she thinks she can she does it to shed the rider.