Nappy broncing pony

mariew

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It looks like he is just pulling his head down and stretching rather than bucking? After a thorough physical check I'd get a good teacher to help if nothing is found. Hopefully someone here much better than me can help. Some of the riding school ponies do that if you have too strong a contact.
 

Hormonal Filly

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It could be pain related but it also looks like he's discovered if he pulls his head down in canter he can stop cantering/working! Cobs are a blimmin nightmare for things like that if they know they'll get away with it.

I thought the same. He doesn’t look like he’s bronking just pulling his head down which unseats the rider. Has he had his teeth done?

Once all the checks are done maybe get a professional/freelance rider to ride him once or twice a week.
 

bz88

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I thought the same. He doesn’t look like he’s bronking just pulling his head down which unseats the rider. Has he had his teeth done?

Once all the checks are done maybe get a professional/freelance rider to ride him once or twice a week.
Teeth done last Wednesday. I will look for someone
 

Hormonal Filly

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Teeth done last Wednesday. I will look for someone

It looks like he’s putting his head down, rider struggles to get him forward from her leg/pick his head up so he continues to pull down and she goes over board. If it’s happening often in one place it could be he has learnt it and become a habit. He doesn’t look nasty.

He’s a strong chunky chap. A freelance rider should be stronger in terms of seat/legs and be able to push him through it. - once pain has been ruled out.

Someone else might watch and have other thoughts, that’s just my opinion. I’m no professional
 

Goldie's mum

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May be just which clips we're seeing but does he do it more when cantering between jumps than doing flat work? Is that what's different about the school ? Also maybe the choice of clips, but most of the instances you show he's turning to the right.
 

Hormonal Filly

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May be just which clips we're seeing but does he do it more when cantering between jumps than doing flat work? Is that what's different about the school ? Also maybe the choice of clips, but most of the instances you show he's turning to the right.

Just noticed the same. Another video of him trotting right rein, I’m sure he doesn’t look right on the right hind, he then bucks into right canter.

Happy to share which video if that’s ok with OP.
 

maya2008

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Our older ones do that if the child is being annoying. Does the child ride differently in group lessons? Maybe nervous and clutching onto the reins more?

Arena-wise, is your home one slippery?

Pony doesn’t look happy for sure. I would go with in pain/annoyed by rider or saddle rather than naughty. Cheeky ponies do so with totally different body language.
 

bz88

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holeymoley

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Difficult with such short moments in time. I partly see an unbalanced cob in need of building core strength.
I'm not entirely sure he's right behind though, he moves a bit like he's got tight hips.

I agree with this. On watching again he tends to take quite short strides behind in canter. It may just be his confirmation though, a lot of these types have quite steep angled hind quarters.
 

Pearlsasinger

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In the You tube clip the rider pulls on the reins/bit/ mouth at every stride. It could just be that the pony is annoyed. She could do with some lunge lessons to develop her balance. It also looks as if the pony is rather wide for her to ride with a good position
 

sbloom

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I agree with this. On watching again he tends to take quite short strides behind in canter. It may just be his confirmation though, a lot of these types have quite steep angled hind quarters.

Steep angled hindquarters are often a result of poor posture causing pelvic rotation and straight hind joints, they can and do change in many cases with the right treatment, work and farriery.
 

SEL

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ycbm

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Uploaded via YouTube as unlisted, only viewable by the link.

I’m not sure if I’m over analysing his hind legs? He doesn’t look happy behind at times.

https://youtube.com/shorts/75ygNrWUfkU?feature=share


I think the pony isn't sound. Ignore the legs, look at the head in trot on the corner. For me there is a clear upwards nod, which would usually indicate hind leg lameness. It can be bridle lameness, but I would start with a vet who has been shown this video.
 

Parrotperson

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Well the first thing is he’s a cracking little chap! And your daughter rides v nicely!

mot could be something and nothing. Get him checked out thoroughly is always your first thing and you are arranging that. Well done.

if vet finds nothing then personally I’d be getting a better instructor. One that can also get on for ten minutes if he continues to show the behaviour. He may just need someone strong enough to ride him through it. At times he does look like he’s just learnt to do it because he knows what’ll happen! And it’s not true bronking as he’s not actually bucking. Just dropping his head, stopping and boom! Rider off!
Assuming nothing wrong a good instructor (try Pony club for recommendations of good child instructors) will help enormously. Good luck.
 

motherof2beasts!

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He doesn’t look like he’s broncing to me, just snatching the bit to stretch his neck. I think he’s probably a bit uncomfortable somewhere along his back but I am not a vet. How long have you had him?
 

Bobthecob15

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I wouldn't say that is bronching, to me it looks like he's trying to get away from having to work hard. We've had a very similar situation with our pony who we've had just over a year. Golden pony, he's amazing. November he has started the odd buck in canter...it got a bit worse so we did as you did...teeth, vet, physio, and finally saddle. Saddle was poorly fitting, too narrow across his withers. So that was adjusted and he seems more comfortable. He had some soreness and stiffness in his back, physio definitely helped.

However we do have an instructor who has always maintained that he is probably just annoyed at having to work harder, particularly as he's had very light work over winter...and is feeling very fresh! My daughter is 8 and is pretty balanced but on occasion he snatches down like this when he's asked to work, particularly as he gets tired. She's learnt to kick on and make him go forwards now...the grass has started to come through too now which hasn't helped!

Does your daughter have regular lessons? If not a good instructor can really help, sometimes it is pain, stiffness etc but also they can be wise to the fact their little rider is asking more of them, even the golden ones!
 

mustardsmum

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First, your vet should see him before chiro or physio - any decent chiro or physio won’t treat unless vets have advised what the issue is. Can you vet come and see your daughter riding him?

Once you’ve had the saddle checked, I think would get an experienced rider to hop on and see how he goes, because it looks like your daughter is being pulled forward then looses her balance when he goes to one side. He then drops her but he’s not throwing her - he’s just putting his head down and letting gravity do the rest. His hind feet are not leaving the ground. He knows doing this puts an end to cantering - and the question is whether he’s doing it due to pain or discomfort or that it’s just he has worked out it stops him having to canter. It’s almost polite the way he does it - he’s not sending her into orbit, more dropping her gently on the ground.

He does look like he’s struggling sometimes in canter and if the saddle is a not quite right, and his rider has a moment of being unbalanced - this could be his response. Personally I would get someone experienced on him - it might help you identify why he does this. he’s not totally throwing his toys out of the cot Once you have got some answers, some lunge lessons might help your daughter and him. He looks a nice pony 😊
 

bubsqueaks

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Sorry only time to glance replies - we had a connie who bronced my daughter off very severely & turned out to be Gastric Ulcers - glandular ulcers at the bottom of the stomach which are particularly difficult to treat - after 2 years treatment & turn away we cleared them up - he never bronced again.
 

saddlesore

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I’m the first to admit my eye is no where near as good as others on here but I’m not sure I’m seeing much from those clips. I’d be inclined to get an experienced rider on him first to get their assessment before looking at a full lameness work up. He’s a smashing looking chap!
 
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