Why does my horse buck when I get on???

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Amyree

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All advice greatly appreciated!!! I recently bought a 5 yr old quarter horse who hasn't done a great deal. A few issues with bridling, picking up feet etc but getting better on those. Main, scary problem is mounting. Every time I have got on him he is obviously anxious, but has got worse. He wont stand still at all now for me to mount, I have to have someone hold him. I tried to get on him today without anyone holding him and he bucked me off immediately,think I was quite lucky actually not be more hurt as I landed hard on concrete. It seems to be I get my foot in the stirrup then as soon as my weight goes on the stirrup and I start to pull myself up he hates it. I've tried using mounting blocks but he wont stand anywhere near them. The only possible way I can get on him is with someone holding him. He's great when he relaxes and we are actually riding but to be honest the whole mounting thing scares me now. I am only recently getting back into riding after 20 years so am certainly not the most competent rider and I am so worried about this problem. Please please help if you can!!
 
You describe mounting as "putting weight on the stirrup and pulling myself up". Even with a well fitting saddle that is likely to hurt his back. What do you think stops the saddle from slipping round as you heave yourself up? Oh yeh, your horses withers - a.k.a. his spine! If you're pulling yourself up on the cantle you'll be painfully skewing the front of the saddle into his withers and will eventually twist the tree of your saddle (meaning it will be wrecked). If you're pulling on the pommel you'll be pulling the saddle into his withers from the other side and possibly pulling the whole saddle over towards you so his spine isn't in the gap underneath any more.

You're probably stiff after a 20yr break or may just not be young and supple any more! If you cant hold the reins in one hand on the neck and have the other on the pommel whilst you spring lightly into the saddle, then for the sake of your horse and your saddle use a mounting block. Start by standing on a bucket while you groom him to get him used to the idea of you standing on something and build the situation from there.
 
As with others, I would check it wasn't pain related first and get teeth, back, saddle and tack checked. Problems with putting a bridle on - if problems are at his end, not with how you put it on - could suggest a problem with his teeth. I presume his bridle also fits correctly?

Also agree that it's not best to mount from the ground - especially if there is no one to counter your weight on the other side of the saddle when mounting from the ground. Mobile mounting blocks very cheap these days. xx
 
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sounds like he need to be taken back to the begining.
(obviously once you are sure all tack fits and teeth etc are checked)
Slowly and gradually to build his confidence.

Start with leaning over him etc.
Use a mounting block as it is more pleasany for the horse than heaving youself up.
I know you say he wont stand still, but you have to teach him to!

Long line him and get him used toy your voice and what you are aksing.

Sound like he is scared.
 
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Sounds like either pain or fear, or both. Start with a good back person to look at him, follow up with vet if necessary and certainly get a good saddler out to check your saddle. Never mount from the ground as others have said.
 
Assuming his back, saddle, etc are comfortable, it sounds like you'll have to give it a bit of time.

Line him up next to a very low block, and do nothing, just praise him for standing still, put some pressure on his back, pat him there, then walk forwards. Keep doin g this until he's happy. Then graduate up to the mounting block - do nothing except praise him for standing still while you pat him and lean over him, then hop down and walk forwards. If he tries to swing his quarters away, have his bridle on so you can keep the outside rein to keep him straight. Lots and lots of praise when he's standing quietly. Then do the same thing with his saddle on, when he's stood nicely for you, praise him, then take him away, walk forwards, and untack him. Eventually you'll graduate to putting weight in the stirrup, and hopefully, a some point, mounting while he's quiet. If you hit a problem, just go back a stage until he's quiet again.

Although I agree mounting from the ground is not ideal, sometimes we find ourselves in a position when we have to do it - it might be something to practice in the future once he's settled a bit.

Good Luck!
 
I agree with the comments regarding checking him for back pain, saddle fit and using a mounting block. I also think that it is important that you get some experienced help before the situation worsens.
 
Thank you everyone for your comments I really appreciate them all. Its all confirmed the approach I am taking ie teeth, back, tack etc all being looked at! Going to take things back to basics also in terms of schooling and building his confidence, so its really helped to have others in the know confirm this is the way to go! This horse was going to be pts as the farmer couldn't keep him anymore, he is absolutely cracking and right at the start of what can be a long, happy and useful life, so I am willing to take all the time it needs to get him on the right track.
 
Think about your mounting style - you don't 'pull' yourself up. I'd buck you off too....

And teach him to stand by a mounting block.
 
Just to add... 'pull myself up' was a figure of speech... I suppose it does conjure up an image of dragging myself into the saddle! But actually that's not the case, one of the skills I have retained from 20 years ago is being able to mount pretty well and lightly. I have no doubts that my riding will be rusty after such a long break and to be honest I would prefer it to be me with the problem! A series of lessons with a good instructor would help with that! Unfortunately I think this problem goes further than that.
 
Personally, I never ever mount from the floor, even if I have to get off on a hack, I always find something to mount from, and failing this I find a hill so they are down hill from me when I mount. If it were me, I wouldn't be mounting from the floor at all, it's simply not necessary and causes issues over time.
 
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