Naughty or pain?

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Lurds

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I am having a bit of trouble with my mare recently under saddle...
I came off of her last year neither of our fault, she spooked at a bird and went a bit crazy, that was just after she was backed but since then I lost all my confidence so I gave her a break over winter and brought her back into work around April and she was being really good.
Around a month ago she started getting a bit naughty and stopping whilst just walking and wouldn't walk on and where I lost confidence didn't won't to kick her on in case she objected.
The past couple of weeks she started doing it again and I have been nugeing her on but she gives out a buck and I instantly get off!
I'm not sure if she's in pain or just being naughty I have someone coming to her back hopefully this week, but don't know what it could be? Has anyone else had experiences of this and how did you deal with it?
Sorry for the long post!
 
It sounds as if she is sensing your nerves and losing her confidence, young horses take their confidence from the rider if you back off when she gets worried about something she will lose even more and it becomes a vicious circle. Are you going out alone if so that will not help either of you, get a confident horse and rider to go out with you while you get going or someone else to ride her for you that will be more positive in riding forward, mares are very sensitive and she is responding to you, an instructor may also be a good idea to help you overcome this stage.
 
What be positive said.

Have you someone confident or an instructor that can help?

I certainly wouldn't be getting off as it will reinforce the habit, she bucks you get off...
 
be positive is absolutely right that she needs to be able to rely on you to give her confidence but also, she may (almost certainly will) have changed shape while she has been turned away, so if you haven't already, you need to have the saddle-fit checked, in case it is pinching her and encouraging her to buck.
 
Unfortunately a newly backed horse and an inexperienced rider don't make a good combination. A young horse needs someone who will give her confidence and consistent training or you'll get problems. The best thing would probably be to send her back to the people who backed her for a refresher course. They'd also be able to tell you if any of her problems were being caused by pain. If she is behaving again after they have worked with her then keep her where there is someone to help you bring her on. If you let her get set in bad ways then eventually you will end up with a spoilt horse that nobody will be able to do anything with. I'm not saying this to be mean to you but it important that a young horse gets a good start in life as there are far too many horses around with problems that could have been avoided with proper training in their early days.
 
I was the one who backed her along with my instructor, I am an experienced rider but have just lost my confidence. She was an angel to be backed last year and was too when I first brought her back into work it's only been the last 2 months I have been having problems with her, and I'm having someone come out to her back this week, and will then be having lessons on her again as I feel I need some guidance.
 
It sounds like she is just being naughty and hasn't any confidence in going out on her own, is it possible to have someone to walk with out with you, how old is she? she might not be mentaly ready to be going out on her own, have to tried just taking her out for walks.
I also find younsters go through a naughty stage around 5 years old, when they test you.
 
She's not being naughty, horses are not naughty, they are horses. Sounds like she has no confidence in you and has decided she needs to be the leader.

Get some help off a good instructor.
 
Lurds said:
I was the one who backed her along with my instructor, I am an experienced rider but have just lost my confidence. She was an angel to be backed last year and was too when I first brought her back into work it's only been the last 2 months I have been having problems with her, and I'm having someone come out to her back this week, and will then be having lessons on her again as I feel I need some guidance.
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Being "naughty" implies the horse is doing what they're doing simply to defy or annoy you. Horses can't do that, their brains are not set up in this way. They think solely of the moment they're in and what to do in order to get what they want and need most. If you have a young horse who has been absolutely fine and their behaviour changes, it's not because they're thinking of ways to defy you - their behaviour has changed because of something that's changed in the status quo, or what's happening around them.

You need to work out whether this is because (a) what's happening is suddenly uncomfortable for them, or has gradually become more uncomfortable for them. This can be a saddle fit changing due to growth or muscling up, or due to increasing demands on a unbalanced and unfit body. A young mare could have discomfort due to a season (the bucks when nudged may suggest this). Or it could be (b) you are asking for something different/more advanced and they haven't fully understood your new cues. It could be (c) you are asking for something out of their comfort zone - to move further away from friends/their home - in which case you need to expand their comfort zone more slowly.

Horses want an easy life. Bucking is actually harder work than ambling along, so a bit of experimentation on your part will help to work out why she is willing to expend energy to stop what's happening.
 
OP i totally know how you feel, i am an experienced rider but have lost my confidence. Its so hard to get it back.

I know how hard it is but you either need to ride forward strongly or let someone do it for you hun. If you get off when she bucks then she will learn that behaviour gets you off and will get worse.

I to have a young horse but i am lucky that he is generally very placid and forgiving how ever the odd day i do still lose confidence and have to make myself get on.

you need someone who can help you and give you the confidence again to work through the problem. Someone who knows you and believes in you.I am lucky to have a supportive mum and sister who know i can do it and push me to get on with it cos they know i can lol.

I am slowly regaining my confidence but takes time

good luck hun. x
 
Brightbay said:
Being "naughty" implies the horse is doing what they're doing simply to defy or annoy you. Horses can't do that, their brains are not set up in this way. They think solely of the moment they're in and what to do in order to get what they want and need most. If you have a young horse who has been absolutely fine and their behaviour changes, it's not because they're thinking of ways to defy you - their behaviour has changed because of something that's changed in the status quo, or what's happening around them.

You need to work out whether this is because (a) what's happening is suddenly uncomfortable for them, or has gradually become more uncomfortable for them. This can be a saddle fit changing due to growth or muscling up, or due to increasing demands on a unbalanced and unfit body. A young mare could have discomfort due to a season (the bucks when nudged may suggest this). Or it could be (b) you are asking for something different/more advanced and they haven't fully understood your new cues. It could be (c) you are asking for something out of their comfort zone - to move further away from friends/their home - in which case you need to expand their comfort zone more slowly.

Horses want an easy life. Bucking is actually harder work than ambling along, so a bit of experimentation on your part will help to work out why she is willing to expend energy to stop what's happening.
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Totally agree with this OP. I have a very strong willed 4 y/o mare and am having the same problems as you. The last time she bucked I sent her on for another 200 yards (albeit 2 steps at a time) and while she was still moving turned her for home (so she was not rewarded by refusing to move!)

Having had investigations since then she has hormonal problems and her saddle doesn't fit.

I am not the most stylish rider, but she doesn't scare me. I have no nerves going and getting on etc, but until I know what is hormonal/saddle/napping I am not riding her!

When the hormonal/saddle issues are sorted I will be left with napping/confidence (hers and mine) so I can add in a person walking or a lead horse, and just get a little firmer with her. I'm not prepared to do that while she is quite possibly in pain though.

Good luck!
 
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