My pony won't stop bucking/rearing!

B

Bow

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**Not sure if this is on the right forum post!

Hello, I took on a DHP (Yes.. a bad mistake) That had roughly been back at the age of 3 and was left alone for a year and soon gained laminitis because her owner was not looking after her! My mum and I took her on (Loan kind of thing) not knowing what DHP's are like (Very strong willed!) From the the very start she was a pain and had awful habits like planting her self and not moving!!
The girl who exercised her from time to time (Before I came along) Said she had a habit of not moving once planting her self! It was really weird as it was always out side the gate that lead to a sand school and on this cross road that she plant her self! After time this habit grew to bucking/rearing and trying to ride me into the dykes! After a couple of rides I took her into the sand school with another horse (All previous rides she had ridden out with the same horse) Bow started to buck and rear (A rocking horse kind of motion) until I fell off!

I have been put on the floor many times by her, (Counted around 30-40 times) and have been so lucky to not have broken any bones! All her habits have grown has time has gone on. She can't ride out alone as she will keep spinning around only going to the left! (Is this a indicator of pain!?) For a year I have tried different things with her.. Every time she takes a few steps forward, i.e doing jumps being able to canter 20M circles with out bucking.. It's always followed up by her going backwards and 'getting worse' I'm now at the ends of thread and my mum decided to get on her and try to resolve it.. She was even worse and put my mum in a hedge and reared up! She can't ride alone.. She can no longer jump with out bucking.. And is getting worse and worse.. any suggestions?? Could it be her saddle, not ever to have been broken, or just purely being stubborn!
**When she is acting up her ears are never back, she does not bite/kick me or my mum
 
It sounds as if she was never started properly just got on and possibly forced to do what was required, then left to her own devices so even if any work had been done well it was forgotten by the time you got her, she would have also been in pain from the laminitis so not a happy pony, no wonder she had become stubborn and started planting.
Her saddle may well not fit her, certainly the fact she was worse with a heavier adult on would suggest that there may be pain or discomfort behind the behaviour and it would make sense to get it properly checked, getting your vet to give her a once over would also be a good idea before you start again, have her teeth been done recently as they may be sharp.
Once you know there is no reason for her to be behaving badly I would suggest getting an experienced trainer/ instructor in to help you starting with the basics as if she has not been ridden, so longreining and lunging, getting her manners in place on the ground before you ride her, I have dealt with a few ponies that have had a similar start in life they become naughty because they do not really understand what is required, they do sometimes take a few steps forward but if they are uncomfortable in any way they go back into themselves and can appear to be stubborn and naughty but normally it is more that they just don't really have the basics established well enough, have no solid foundation and confidence so revert to being difficult as it is what they know best.
 
What is your routine with this horse? How often is she ridden and what do you do with her exactly and for how long?

What was your mum trying to do with her when she got upset?

What sort of saddle are you using and what sort of bit/bridle?

You need to get a vet first. Also farrier and dentist. Then a saddle fitter.

If there are no issues, get an instructor in to assess her and your riding. It doesn't sound like a naughty pony to me. It sounds like she's either in pain or very confused.
 
What's a DHP?

I agree sounds like she was never broken properly. I would rule out pain first (maybe x ray fronts) but then take it back to basics on the ground.
 
My 5yr old went for a months schooling and was returned to me going really well. After a couple of weeks off, the yards pro rider got on him and he was backwards and awkward. I booked the dentist and back lady straight away. it could well have been him being a git, but it wasnt. He had some rough edges and some sore spots. Nothing major in fact nothing really at all. But the first thing I do it to eliminate physical problems. Once they are gone or you know 100% there are none. Hes had a couple of days off after his MOT and will have a couple of weeks quiet hacking.

If hes the same next time he goes in the school then he will have a seriously smacked arse! But no way would I have allowed him to be ridden through it without knowing he had no issues. So definitely worth getting all the checks done. My boy is always cheerful and happy to hack out, but if you ask him to work in the school, if there are any issues he lets you know!
 
Please get all the checks others have sensibly advised. If all ok then please get recommended professional help. I am worried you will get seriously hurt if you carry on as you are.
 
I would get serious checks done before you sit on this pony again, sounds pain related.

Contrary to popular belief DH Ponies are very trainable, affable and want to work and not in the least lazy from my experience.

However, we did have a 3 year old we were told was 5 and backed etc, when we started lead rein classes ha ha!! that was fun!!!

our pony had a mini rearing issue when wound up, just simple adrenaline, however never bucked in all the years we had him...
 
try to step back and get a horse listener in if you can-can observe better-all i ask that you and your mum do not hit that horse as you will lose respect in a nano second!! that horse needs a caring horse behavior expert in will rec sarah weston-Telephone: 01725 512434.
Email: sarah@logicalhorsemanship.co.uk---def got to worth a try
 
Dartmoor Hill Ponies are absolutely cracking ponies so for yours to behave this badly suggests that something is very wrong. Ditto the others - get her checked by a vet, physio and dentist, get your saddle looked at and then when you're absolutely convinced that there is nothing physical going on, get a good instructor/trainer in. Sarah Weston is superb if you're in her area, and if you're not, post up a rough idea of your location and I'm sure you'll be flooded with suggestions of who to contact.
 
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