Help... Bronking Pony!!

D

DCA

New User
Joined
20 January 2013
Messages
4
Visit site
Hi,

I bought a 14hh cobby pony a week ago as a project to bring on. She was ridden up the road when I tried her and appeared quiet. She came last Sunday, but the first time I got the chance to ride her was yesterday. I tacked her up and got straight on in the school (which I understand some people would immediately see as a silly thing to do, as I don't really know the pony). As soon as my bum hit the saddle she bronked pretty much on the spot and I came off. I then lunged her for 10-15mins, got back on and was led around the school for ten mins, but she still felt quite tense.

This morning I lunged her for 10mins, then got on with someone walking beside me and we walked for about ten minutes. When pressing her forward for a little trot, we were off bronking again! I managed to stay on and we did about half a circle, and I pulled her up. I then got off and lunged her for a few minutes. She seemed very worried about the whole ordeal.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any tips for dealing with a pony like this. I am not inexperienced in dealing with horses, and understand that I need to build the trust with her, but not let her get away with misbehaving. I genuinely believe that she is not nasty, but rather has 'issues'. It is also worth taking into account the awful weather conditions, and the fact that she is now on more food than she has probably ever been on!

Thanks
 
Check tack fitting, teeth and back and hoof condition/balance. Put on to high fibre diet with no concentrates, ie grass and hay. Lunge before getting on. Then consider a vet investigation, but keep in mind that some ponies have learnt that bucking gets the rider off and they go back to the field.
good luck.
 
If you've got her as a project I'd go right back to square one and start again as if she hadn't been broken. That way you'll know what groundwork is there and you'll have built a relationship with her before you start to ride. How much of her history do you know? Are you sure she wasn't put up for sale because she dumps people? I'd also only feed her forage until you get further on with her.
 
She may not have actually been broken. If all she did is walk quietly up the road with a rider, you just getting on her like a normal horse could really put her off. Just a though :)

Best if luck. I hate bucking!
 
I would give her only ad lib hay, nothing else, and lots of turnout.
Perhaps you tried her in a different saddle? Make sure you have it properly checked for fit, and I would have a good look at any other possible causes of pain.
Hope you get to the cause soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top