horse bucking when getting on...any solutions?

[tobiano1984]

I normally buy young unhandled horses to bring on and sell as I find them so much easier and less surprising, but against my better judgement I've ended up with a 'troubled' one I went to look at an SJ pony at a hideous dealer and ended up relieving them off the Irish cob in the same field as they were giving him away and he was very sweet. Whoops!

Anyway, he's 5, came over from Ireland last Spring, I assume backed already - and then this dealer 'brought him on' in his own special way and then put him out on trial, he bucked the rider off, he came back to the dealer, he bucked them off, they put him out in a field and forgot about him.

He's an absolute sweetie, wouldn't hurt a fly on the ground, has done XC, schools OK, I think hunted...for the first few weeks of being back in gentle work he didn't buck at all, but then the other day he bronced one of my riders off. She'd ridden him 2 days earlier with no problems, we've just always made sure someone stands at his head to reassure him while being mounted - and seems to have been fine - all he does is widen his eyes and look worried, and then relaxes. He was being held by someone different when he had his episode, so that might have triggered it, but he just went off the moment her bum touched the saddle. She lunged him, and then tried again but when she went to get on he threatened to do it again.

he's had his back done by an osteopath - all OK. My thought now is to do groundwork and lots of trust exercises etc before trying again - I didn't do much before as he seemed pretty straightforward. I thought about getting on and off him bareback and with a dually halter just to rule out tack problems and take it back to real basics.

my main worry is that I don't want him to be a) frightened b) learn a habit or c) hurt anyone. Can anyone suggest any kind methods to help with this? He is due to be sold when ready so I don't want to take years with him, but also I won't rush him and certainly won't sell him if he's unsafe and scared. It might have just been a fluke and unfortunate due to the different handler, but I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Any suggestions would be welcome

 

[Teeni]

My thought now is to do groundwork and lots of trust exercises etc before trying again - I didn't do much before as he seemed pretty straightforward. I thought about getting on and off him bareback and with a dually halter just to rule out tack problems and take it back to real basics.

my main worry is that I don't want him to be a) frightened b) learn a habit or c) hurt anyone. Can anyone suggest any kind methods to help with this? He is due to be sold when ready so I don't want to take years with him, but also I won't rush him and certainly won't sell him if he's unsafe and scared. It might have just been a fluke and unfortunate due to the different handler, but I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Any suggestions would be welcome

You sound like you have a good plan in place with the above

If any pain issues have been ruled out then i think i would go back to the beginning and try a complete restart.
I would think about his actual acceptance of tack, you'd be suprised the amount of young horses who actually haven't truly accepted a saddle but people are up on top riding. I've seen some pretty extreme reactions from horses before that have appeared ok and then all of a sudden displayed 'bad behaviour'

If you have any questions feel free to message me

 

[Red-1]

I have helped a few horses with "mounting issues" and I guess the advice I would give is to back yourself up all the time.

The first would be checks, teeth, back, saddle fit etc etc..... as I am sure you will have done.

The bit that rang a bit hollow with me was that the horse was anxious about mounting. I would not mount until I had worked those wrinkles out. I would have the horse happy with tack as above, with throwing stuff over, with the mounting block, with throwing stuff over from the mounting block, with carrying stuff, with the mounting block as I leap around on it, as I lean on it.......

Before I committed to "throw a leg over" the horses I help are well versed in being jumped up and down on, kneed in the tummy (not to cause pain of course), laughed around, blown noses, kicked on the bum (again gently- I am not a monster!).

When I mount it is not "now we are mounting" it is more of a continuum, and there is no tension. Once on, I get off again, and on again and off, and walk around and on and off......

The attitude of the horse gas to be "yeah yeah, whatever" before the mounting training has finished.

This sounds like a long time, but sometimes it can be within just one session, if I am working to the horse's time not my own. It has worked with a variety of horses too, from former family horse to Prix St Georges.

BTW, if a horse "needs someone stood at the head" they are not ready IMO.

I hope your horse comes good.

 

[L&M]

My young cob can occasionally buck when mounted, usually when feeling fresh. I now lunge him first in his tack, or lead him for the first 2 mins of a hack, then is as good as gold to mount.

However your cob's problem seems more ingrained so would echo above re trying a complete re-start.

Who says cobs are easy?!!!

 

[lastchancer]

I had one like this, his problems stemmed from fear of the girth. I got him used to the saddle and rider separately and he did improve. Also spent lots of time just getting on and off, sitting on his back giving him mints.

Should add, this was after starting him completely from scratch and he remained nervous with people he didn't know.

 

[maccachic]

Saddle fit?

Go right back to basics and start again - loads of praise.