'Mini Buck's' out of the blue?

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jessikaGinger

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I have had my mare since September

When i got her i was a nervous wreck but she was fab bombprrof on the roads (we had no menage) and brill on the ground and i only road weekends

Last week i moved to a new yard with a menage..
I have ridden her nearly everyday (only walk and trot as she needs schooling) but after we have been in the school more than 20mins she has started 'mini bucking' going into trot or refusing trot and bucking on the spot

Once we get going she is ok until i ask for canter then she does a Big buck and back to walking we go

I hacked out Yesterday morning and she wasnt as bad but i have no idea why she has started to do this all of a sudden

Is there a chance its because she is lazy and schooling is too much like hard work?

Sorry for the super long post :o
 
she is probably bored and frustrated. I would have her back/saddle/teeth checked and if all normal try and stimulate her by turn out, varying her work, giving her a good pipe opener at least once a week etc. Horses do go stale if life is monotonous (as we do.)
 
Its Spring and they are all feeling delighted with themselves!

Keep her in work and make sure not to let her drop her head (stops getting into bronco position) and she will get the message

My own is always like this spring but has learnt he doesnt get away with it anymore...

Maybe also get someone to give her a good canter or gallop that will get rid of the ooomphh that she is exhibiting
 
Spring, may be starting to ovulate. My pony mare only used to do it in spring and then settled down, sometimes she was tender over the loin area.
Also some animals have been 'got at' in the school and it may have unpleasent conatations and some animals just don't see the point in schooling and its alot harder work depending on the surface. Please do not make her sour by doing the same things over and over again, you may know what you are trying to acheive but there has to be some sort of carrot for her.
If you have to ride her in the school every day do less then do something else like hacking that she obviously enjoys.
 
Thanks for your brilliant replies

She's my first in 4year and i am Very rusty
We hack out all over and she likes that (except when i ask for canter)

Considering getting a small instructor who can ride her and bring her on

with regards to her saddle/back who do i ring, i.e Vet or saddle specialist first?

Thanks Millions :D
 
I agree with what the other have said about getting the back and saddle checked first. Whenever a problem occurs, even if you suspect it's behavoural, it is always very important to rule out the possibility of it being pain related before you go any further.

Assuming her tack and her health is all good, it sounds likely that your pony is napping. There could be all sorts of reasons why she isn't enjoying the schooling (ie she may find it boring, hard work, triggers a bad memory - was she ever in a riding school perhaps?), and perhaps an instructor will be able to help you and your pony to overcome it.

Also, don't overdo the schooling, as some horses become stale very quickly. Perhaps you should aim to school 2 or 3 times a week, with hacking on the other days.
 
If horse doesn't like canter even when hacking it does sound like it might be something hurting her (unless there is an obvious reason for her not liking canter, e.g. she used to be a carriage horse and did trotting races or something). As her routine will have (probably) changed since you got her, and hence she may be differently muscled saddler could be a good place to start. Followed by vet once saddle is sorted. /Then/ followed by instructor.
 
I agree get her back, saddle etc checked. When you canter out on a hack to you get up off her back? maybe try that and see if there is any difference?
We have one at work who has had back problems but he is ok as long as the rider is off his back.
 
In addition to the other suggestions, the key words for me in your post are, that she was a '4 yr old, fat, bombproof',owned by you for 6 months, hacked only at weekends til you moved yards, where she is now ridden in the school every day by yourself, who you describe as rusty.
Okay, she is young, unfit and likely, very green and therefore unbalanced. She finds canter difficult and has had her workload increased and changed from weekend hacking to daily schooling.
Her shape may have changed since you got her, saddle, particularly with a youngster, could do with checking now. Schooling requires fitness and can be mentally tiring if she isn't quite sure of what she is being asked to do, or she may find it heavy going and boring. Having her back checked would be a good idea to see if she's become sore anywhere.
Work on improving her walk and trot, forget canter in the school til she's more balanced (bucks going into canter aren't unusual with a young unbalanced horse) and you are riding fit again. Keep the schooling short and sweet, plenty changes of direction and transitions. Make the school fun, ride with a partner, hack out lots and break the cycle that is causing her to object at the moment. Good luck, its a process of elimination, solve the puzzle and you'll have your mare back again.


Forgot to say, avoid 'rewarding bucks by going to walk, push her on and don't let her see it as an avoidance of work tactic once you know she is comfortable in her back and saddle.
 
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Much appreciated

Advice taken on bored we are having a 'lesson' on saturday morning to try understand if it is pain or behavioural & im waiting on a call back from the saddle fitter to see if they will are willing to come to us as i do not have transport :rolleyes:
 
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