Excitable bucking...

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Kungfoo-hamster

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I have a youngster (5-6 years old) and he has started a new trick. When we are out hacking and he gets excited, if you ask him to slow down he throws in some impressive bucks. Someone told me I should push him on through the bucks, but as I'm asking him to slow down, it feels like pushing him on would be rewarding the bucking with what he wants.

It definitely seems to be temper/excitment because he's not getting to go as fast as he would like or is being asked to slow down. I've had his teeth, back and saddle checked so these are not a factor.
 
Kungfoo-hamster said:
I have a youngster (5-6 years old) and he has started a new trick. When we are out hacking and he gets excited, if you ask him to slow down he throws in some impressive bucks. Someone told me I should push him on through the bucks, but as I'm asking him to slow down, it feels like pushing him on would be rewarding the bucking with what he wants.

It definitely seems to be temper/excitment because he's not getting to go as fast as he would like or is being asked to slow down. I've had his teeth, back and saddle checked so these are not a factor.
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I would only take him on quiet rides, my new one is 6 and I only occasionally do a hand canter with an old boy in front, we mainly do walk and trot hacking and I have not galloped her and wont for a long while. Also because she is sharp with shying I started her on Relaxme and found much improvement when going hacking and schooling over jumps.

I would go back as Susiestrokes said and with a youngster they are impressionable, so start off slow and don't wind them up as they will then get into the habit always. They are young and need to learn off an older more confident/sensible horse, so go out with someone with a sensible ride and keep away from wizzy horses or people who want to dash about everywhere or you will end up with a wizzy horse who is hard to control.
 
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Sorry to possibly depress you, but my boy still does exactly this at 15yo. I've just had to learn to avoid his triggers which mean we very rarely canter on trail rides which is disappointing.

I did want to be able to turn him in small circles ie. hind quarters yields, but our riding trails are too narrow. I'm can't smack him as that just sends him off the charts. If you ever find a cure, let me know!
 
DonskiWA said:
Sorry to possibly depress you, but my boy still does exactly this at 15yo. I've just had to learn to avoid his triggers which mean we very rarely canter on trail rides which is disappointing.

I did want to be able to turn him in small circles ie. hind quarters yields, but our riding trails are too narrow. I'm can't smack him as that just sends him off the charts. If you ever find a cure, let me know!
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Yep, sorry have a 16 year old that is the same, I too have to limit the exciting stuff. I too would like that cure if you find it.
 
I too have an 11 year old that has some pretty impressive bucks he only tends to do it when we canter hence I don't canter much on hacks.

It may be that it's just got too exciting so just slow things down for now and hopefully he will settle into the hacking.
 
My 4 year old started doing this...he is now 6 and still does it and i think he always will. He has always loved a good buck but only does it in excitement or when he wants to go. He also had everything checked and there was nothing wrong. I took him back to basics and made him walk every hacking route we take. He is better now when he is on his own from doing this. I've found that other horses wind him up so its best to put him at the front. Its just a quirk he has and i don't find it to be a problem anymore!
 
My old Arab had a terrible reputation for this, I changed her bit from the gag she came in to a straight bar rubber loose ring one she stopped. My Anglo did go this stage as a youngster and after swapping and changing tack numerous times in the end I just ignored it and carried on as usual (smacking or even raising your voice made him worse)and he did just grow out of it (a bit of schooling probobly did play a part in it too though lol)
 
Jake does some impressive bucks (and pig squeals!) on the first canter for every hack, after exactly three strides. I know exactly when it happens and why so I am well prepared and have become 'used' to the feel of them so find them very easy to sit to now. Sometimes add a neck strap if going somewhere super exciting. He is an 8yo.

If he does it anywhere else, or because he is being silly he gets told off. I think they should be able to have some outbursts as it's character, but this is perhaps not the case for a young, impressionable 'oss. Good luck though! :D
 
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