Pony bucking (mare)

[Ponycrazykids]

Good evening,
I’m hoping for some advice. We brought our daughter (9 year old) her first pony- a 13hh, 7 year old cob type.
Said pony is golden on the ground and is gentle, kind and thoughtful around little people. Hacking out she is generally good but will sometimes snatch the reins for a nibble of grass (is there a pony who doesn’t ?). However in the school she’s difficult. Initially we had some issues getting her into trot- she’d buck the tiniest buck and we put it down to inexperience in that environment (something we were aware of) and lack of fitness (she was quite overweight). She lost weight and improved immensely- even cantering on hacks. My daughter had her schooling well, trotting some cross poles etc.

Then one day, daughter got a bit overzealous and asked for a school canter which resulted in a bigger than average buck and off she came. She got back on, trotted some more and pony even cantered up the straight side- all seemed great, improving and going in right direction!

unfortunately, pony then had a few weeks off (unforeseen circumstances) and daughter lost a bit of confidence. When she came back to riding her, we were back at square one- napping back to gate, bucking in the trot etc. Daughter is getting more upset and frustrated and losing more confidence but doesn’t want to replace the pony as they have a fab bond on the ground.

Saddle fitter- all fine (we brought a new one 6 months ago which is still good)
Teeth- all done
Back- checked- slightly tight but loosened by veterinary physio and nothing major to report
Mare- but not marelike in the slightest on the ground and the behaviour isn’t cyclical

Last resort is a vet check- she was seen about 4 months ago for a once over, but thinking a more in-depth assessment.

My feeling is that pony has worked out she can get one over on a weaker rider and has potentially got away with it in the past. Daughter is having lessons but it’s difficult with her struggling in the school.

If anyone has any suggestions I’d be super grateful.

Thank you

 

[Widgeon]

If she's only seven (the pony, that is), how balanced is she? Is it possible that she actually finds it tricky to go faster in an enclosed space on a surface, and is finding ways to avoid something she finds hard? If you can afford a more in depth vet check that sounds like a very good idea, for peace of mind if nothing else, but if that finds nothing, I would employ a good small professional rider for a few sessions to see if they can figure out what's going on and educate the pony in what's needed.

Cobs are smart and I think your gut feeling might well be correct. It sounds like the time off, and loss of confidence in your daughter, didn't do your pony any good. That (to me) seems to confirm your suspicions. But a vet check is always a good idea regardless.

Is your daughter's current instructor actually helping the situation? A good instructor should be helping her to gain confidence and work out how to push this pony's buttons, not just trying to fight through the issues they're having.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Yes, vet check as when behaviour is different on a surface it always makes me suspicious that there is a health issue. If all is well I would concentrate on getting them out hacking to build up their ridden relationship and build up from that to schooling on grass.

 

[Ponycrazykids]

If she's only seven (the pony, that is), how balanced is she? Is it possible that she actually finds it tricky to go faster in an enclosed space on a surface, and is finding ways to avoid something she finds hard? If you can afford a more in depth vet check that sounds like a very good idea, for peace of mind if nothing else, but if that finds nothing, I would employ a good small professional rider for a few sessions to see if they can figure out what's going on and educate the pony in what's needed.

Cobs are smart and I think your gut feeling might well be correct. It sounds like the time off, and loss of confidence in your daughter, didn't do your pony any good. That (to me) seems to confirm your suspicions. But a vet check is always a good idea regardless.

Is your daughter's current instructor actually helping the situation? A good instructor should be helping her to gain confidence and work out how to push this pony's buttons, not just trying to fight through the issues they're having.

Yes current instructor is fab and plans to move her to being back on the lunge for schooling for a while. The lack of confidence in my daughter has led to her relying on her hands which is potentially compounding the issue. So they’re going to work on seat and daughter won’t then have to worry about steering etc.

I totally agree on lack of balance from the pony. She’s only 7 and we know little of her history due to her being a rescue pony before we brought her from her last “proper” owner. We do know she’d not really been in a school before and was a “happy hacker” which we’re happy to work on. We’ve had her doing some little mounted games when she was going well as we thought this may improve her balance, but she is struggling with this again now, so balance could definitely be a big factor.

Thank you for your response and will try to speak to the vet today.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm a happy hacker and have had my little mare since she was just-backed at 4yo.

During the time I've had her (she's now just 10) we've been in a school on three occasions (ohh the shame of it!). When we did try canter in the school, she struggled to get the correct canter lead on one leg in particular, and yes like the OP's pony did put in a few little bucks. Something she hasn't ever done out on a hack, so we figured this was a discomfort/pain-related issue.

Our vets were at this time offering a lameness diagnostic tool called "Equinosis" at a special price, we'd gone to a client evening and heard about it. Thought ok so why not and got vet to test her with it. She came up as "lame" on one foreleg, which we then investigated via X-rays. Nothing of significance came up. Haven't been in the school since.

Sooh......... what I'm saying is that I would respectfully suggest that whilst there isn't necessarily anything "wrong" with this pony; there IS an element of discomfort somewhere which is obviously evidencing itself when the pony is asked to "bend" in the school, and then bucking to try and alleviate this discomfort. So basically it sounds like a suppleness issue. At 7 this pony is very possibly still growing and obviously hasn't done any school-work, if any, before. It may be that pony needs a little more work on the lunge with an experienced person, and then perhaps when she begins to muscle-up a bit then some gentle work in the school with maybe a more experienced/older child (or small adult) to formulate her way of going and ride her on through any issues.

Pony isn't being "naughty"; more like she is uncomfortable and in discomfort from being asked to do stuff which physically she is finding difficult.

 

[tda]

Agree with others, could be just green in the school, but I would be leaning towards vet check, different behaviour on school surface would be red flag to me
Hope you can get it sorted

 

[Trinket12]

Not sure when you got her and if you have had experienced her seasons yet, but this could be an in season thing. My mare did not like to canter on her left lead when in season and would buck and kick out when asked, we got her on some supplements that fixed it, it's still harder for her on this side but she's more comfortable and stopped reacting.

 

[Lois Lame]

When she came back to riding her, we were back at square one- napping back to gate, bucking in the trot etc.

When a pony (or horse) bucks at the trot, I am immediately suspicious of back problems.

 

[maya2008]

Out hacking, is pony in front? In the school, is pony fine following another person or pony/horse?

I ask because most ponies will happily follow with a less confident child. It takes time and mileage and confidence in themselves for them to be willing to go first without a confident rider though, especially in an arena where there is no trail to follow. We have backed several in the past year. They were all grand out hacking fairly fast, then we had to deliberately send them first on hacks in all paces (with backup from behind as needed) before they would happily go first in an arena. Especially with my daughter, who is the less confident child. Most would go first straight away for my 10yo, as he can give them the confidence they need. To look after a less competent child though, someone had to teach them first. If they weren’t ready, we had running to human/refusing to go forwards, kicking out when asked in anything faster than walk. If yours has little school experience then they might simply be unable to do it all for your child, as they need their hand holding themselves!

As an aside, falling off isn’t the end of the world…if you don’t make it so. Children take their lead from the adults around them. If you dust them off, park them back on and give them helpful advice to stop it happening again, they’ll be fine. My kids have fallen off plenty - because of decisions they made (overbalancing off the side while playing tag!) as they were learning to jump, with young pony moments and all sorts. Ponies are small, ground isn’t far, I park them back on and tell them to do it again - correctly this time. My son’s Shetland ditched him more often than you could imagine, but he learned from his mistakes and it’s serving him well now. He’s teaching one of the young ones to hack solo at the moment. One huge spook earlier this week and he came off…caught pony, found dropped whip and hacked home, cheerfully announcing he needed a new hat on arrival. No issues, no loss of confidence, no big deal.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Does she canter out hacking? Can she keep a canter happily in a straight line? If she is all good from a vet check, I would say inexperience is the cause. Fingers crossed its nothing major. Can someone else ride her go see if they have the same issue

 

[Ponycrazykids]

When a pony (or horse) bucks at the trot, I am immediately suspicious of back problems.

We’ve had her back done very recently and nothing to report bar a little stiffness. So we’re fairly sure that isn’t the cause unless it’s deeper than they physio is aware

 

[AmyMay]

We’ve had her back done very recently and nothing to report bar a little stiffness. So we’re fairly sure that isn’t the cause unless it’s deeper than they physio is aware

Was the pony seen by the vet prior to the physio appointment?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We’ve had her back done very recently and nothing to report bar a little stiffness. So we’re fairly sure that isn’t the cause unless it’s deeper than they physio is aware

If the physio found stiffness, I would want to know the cause. I imagine only a vet can tell you that.

 

[Ponycrazykids]

Out hacking, is pony in front? In the school, is pony fine following another person or pony/horse?

I ask because most ponies will happily follow with a less confident child. It takes time and mileage and confidence in themselves for them to be willing to go first without a confident rider though, especially in an arena where there is no trail to follow. We have backed several in the past year. They were all grand out hacking fairly fast, then we had to deliberately send them first on hacks in all paces (with backup from behind as needed) before they would happily go first in an arena. Especially with my daughter, who is the less confident child. Most would go first straight away for my 10yo, as he can give them the confidence they need. To look after a less competent child though, someone had to teach them first. If they weren’t ready, we had running to human/refusing to go forwards, kicking out when asked in anything faster than walk. If yours has little school experience then they might simply be unable to do it all for your child, as they need their hand holding themselves!

As an aside, falling off isn’t the end of the world…if you don’t make it so. Children take their lead from the adults around them. If you dust them off, park them back on and give them helpful advice to stop it happening again, they’ll be fine. My kids have fallen off plenty - because of decisions they made (overbalancing off the side while playing tag!) as they were learning to jump, with young pony moments and all sorts. Ponies are small, ground isn’t far, I park them back on and tell them to do it again - correctly this time. My son’s Shetland ditched him more often than you could imagine, but he learned from his mistakes and it’s serving him well now. He’s teaching one of the young ones to hack solo at the moment. One huge spook earlier this week and he came off…caught pony, found dropped whip and hacked home, cheerfully announcing he needed a new hat on arrival. No issues, no loss of confidence, no big deal.

She will hack alone, in front, behind, no issues at all.

I understand the odd fall isn’t the end of the world and believe me the resident Shetland has taught my daughter how to fall and get back on However, a difficult ride every time is knocking my daughter and it’s hard to know when to pull back or push on.

 

[Ponycrazykids]

Was the pony seen by the vet prior to the physio appointment?

Yes but not for a full MOT. He saw no issues and suggested the physio took a look because he couldn’t detect anything at face value.

 

[Ponycrazykids]

If the physio found stiffness, I would want to know the cause. I imagine only a vet can tell you that.

She wasn’t concerned. She’s top rated locally and was able to relieve it with some stretches and heat therapy. Her suggestion was to keep working to build up muscle tone and suppleness as she wasn’t in the best condition when she arrived with us.

I’m Speaking with the vet today to arrange a full MOT.

 

[maya2008]

Can you borrow an older child to see if the pony behaves for them?

Also…what is the school surface? I’ve got more than one pony who is less than impressed with a wax surface and one of those will buck at it on corners (the same way she bucks at slippery ground).

 

[Trinket12]

To add my mare will sometimes have a little buck if I'm sitting too far forward when I ask or get a little flappy with my hands, she's very particular and quite within her rights to tell me to do it properly! So pony could just be trying to communicate that something in the aids isn't quite right for her?

 

[LaurenBay]

I'd be looking to get a lightweight professional on her in the school to see what happens, if Pony misbehaves for them I'd proceed down the vet route. If they behave perfectly then I 'd either get a good instructor or possibly put on sales livery and sell

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I'd be looking to get a lightweight professional on her in the school to see what happens, if Pony misbehaves for them I'd proceed down the vet route. If they behave perfectly then I 'd either get a good instructor or possibly put on sales livery and sell

Sometimes a professional can ride strongly enough to push a horse through pain. That doesn't mean that all is well with the horse. I would get a vet opinion now.

 

[Trinket12]

Sometimes a professional can ride strongly enough to push a horse through pain. That doesn't mean that all is well with the horse. I would get a vet opinion now.

Sugar's bodyworker (we don't have horse physio's in Canada) had to cancel her last session in April and for a few different reasons we have been unable to re-schedule. Just this week she has started being reactive when asking for the canter, now she is an older horse at 20, but she is showing discomfort signs. I have put some things in place to support her until we get her new bodyworker out, could someone have ridden her through it? More than likely, so would it be pain/discomfort or her 'misbehaving' (which is a not a thing, if a horse/pony is reactive in a negative way, they are trying to tell you something!).

I spent extra time on her stretches before and after our ride on Sunday, and what I got was a much happier horse There's lots of possible reasons the pony is reacting, but that is the only way they know how to communicate with you, your job is to 'listen' and try to find a way to help.

 

[Ponycrazykids]

Just thought I’d update everyone- after extensive vet checks and tests… we can find nothing! Vet has suggested hard work for 4 weeks with an experienced rider and see how we get on! 10 days in and my daughter has trotted independently with no bucks for the first time in quite a few months!

Schooling issue (which we’re working through) and a clever but slightly lazy pony seem to be the cause and we’re finally getting somewhere!

Thanks for all your ideas and suggestions x

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad both pony and daughter feel happier.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thats good, her confidence will grow now

 

[Ponycrazykids]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad both pony and daughter feel happier.

Not sure pony feels happy about her work requirement But definitely more accepting and relaxed

Lots of groundwork to build the relationship has worked wonders too! She’s a big pony (cob type- built like ) and although tall my daughter isn’t too strong but pony is becoming much more responsive to voice commands.

X

 

[Dexter]

You need to do a PSSM test. A cob type suddenly being worse after having time off, stiffness over the back, issues with canter and general forwardness and balance is a huge red flag. It only costs £30 or so and is easy to do. Its so common in cobs sadly and lots of them suffer in silence, only reacting when it gets too much.