Horse bucking when we canter - is this stopable?

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tan8856

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Hi

I've recently got a share horse and when we canter he tends to throw in a few small to medium bucks as we're going along. whilst I'm able to stay on sometimes if it's more of a buck to the side (rather than rear) it means he twists his back and and it does unbalance me and it makes for a less enjoyable ride.

Im just wondering if there's anything I can do to stop it or if it's just a quirk of his?

Ive not had him long but I'd say he bucks more when we hack out alone and/or he's feeling a bit spooky. He's an easy sensible horse generally.

Thanks

Ps he's 15 and has no health issues all his tack fits fine and sometimes he'll canter without bucking.
 
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GG2B said:
Have you/the owner had his back and saddle checked? You could find it's a reaction to pain or discomfort.
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He doesn't seem to be in discomfort plus he will canter without bucking. He was bucking today on a stretch we haven't ridden before, he was looking around and being a little spooky, it's as if his bucks are his attempt at avoiding imaginary spooks in the bushes!
 
Would definitely get the saddle checked. My share pony used to do this when I first started riding her and never really got to the bottom of what was causing it. Does he do it for the owner as we'll? I share a Sec D and realised that if I just gave a voice command for canter she didn't buck but if I used leg commands she would. However, I also got her saddle checked and reflocked and did some schooling which really helped us get to know each other. These days I only have to think canter and can't remember the last time she bucked :).
 
My lad does this - we have had back checks and saddle checks etc done and have finally accepted he just 'likes' to buck! Like yours he does not do it all the time so am confident it is a quirk rather than a physical issue.

What works best for me is to kick him on and don't give him time to buck - he is worse if I have to hold him back.

The upside is that I have developed a very secure seat!!
 
I have had exactly this with a horse , no reason could be found saddles back etc .
The cure was that when he bucked he was cantered until exhausted he soon gave it up.
 
I put the saddle too far forward the other day and ended up with a broncing/kicking horse - made me realise just how sensitive he is! Moved it back, got back on and he was good as gold - I would definitely get it checked, as it might be that the saddle has moved whilst riding and is pinching/catching at that point in canter. If his back is ok, might just be a quirk, sometimes it might just be high spirits!
 
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