Pony bucking on transition from trot to canter

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Shellyjess

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Hi, I am new to Horse and Hound and I have joined to gain advice and feedback on an issue I am encountering with my daughter's pony. The pony has started to buck on transition from trot to canter on the right rein only. This is also happening on the lunge rein in full tack. We have owned the pony for 5 months and this has behaviour has just begun. Two changes, however, are recent change of feed (in last two weeks) and a recent change of home (within the last week). Any advice or suggestions would be fully appreciated. Many thanks
 
Is he riderless on the lunge? Does it happen with other riders? Is the saddle and back all ok?

It could be a balance thing, he is finding one rein harder than the other. If there is no physical issue with back or tack, and not something the rider is influencing, try working on balance and straightness.

I had one who would buck into canter, It was due to him being both unbalanced, and expecting to get pulled on the mouth. After several months of working on balance, collection and straightness, practically ignoring the bucks, as well as giving him plenty of rein in the transition, he stopped it. He was very lop sided muscle wise, so had to straighten all that up.
 
Is the pony behaving at all other times? Just trying to eliminate "high jinx" as a reason first. If so, given that it is only happening on one rein I would be thinking of getting a good registered physio out take a look.
 
How old is your pony?

My 6 year old is starting to stop this, but from aged 4 started to do it - it's caused by them being unbalanced and striking off on the wrong foot

We started putting a pole in the school for him to trot over and then straight off, strike into canter. Seems to have worked well
 
Will ditto what others are saying it sounds like unbalanced young horse, my boy used to do this very consistently on the same rein as he has become older and more well schooled the habit has gone. I worked him alot on his bad rein on canter on the lunge so I wasn't getting unseated and causing him further difficulties.

I'd be inclined to have somebody check his back and saddle and rule any discomfort out first :)
 
Thanks guys. A friend from my yard who has witnesses the bucking (which does also occur unridden on the lunge) said she felt that it was the pony trying to correct herself as she striking off on the wrong foot. She is also quite young and unbalanced. I will work with her on the lunge but also get her back looked at. thanks everyone
 
I would echo full lameness work up, have had two that did this both had navicular. They also did bucks in the field that left the forelegs down and kicked up at 45 degrees with both back legs. The chiropractor says that they do this to release stiffness in their backs caused by the foreleg lameness.
 
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