Youngster bucking

[Debsflo1]

Afternoon, long post but thoughts welcome.
Daughter has bought a just 5, connie x tb.
Tried him schooling and hacking and very green despite having been x country schooling etc but thought he would be a nice summer project to bring on .
Was 5 stage vetted ,again green but looked unsettled ridden but proceeded with sale.
We have owned him 6 weeks.
He is head shy and very worried re rugs and saddling , reactive to the leg and has bucked several times , when startled or in transitions.
Not just a hop but a big series of bucks but not in our opinion to get rider off but uncomfortable and worried
We are experienced and have done feet , saddle which is too big hence not using.
Seen a bitting specialist and changed bridle , bit and girth as he has scarring on girth line to make him more comfortable.
Had a large bean removed ,had physio who found very sore si, tight hip flexor and suspects over jumped before hes mature enough prior to sale.
Teeth being done in 2 weeks and despite passport am querying his age.
15.3 but looks very young
Not seen a x pole with us.
He also had a very sore poll with adhesions one side.
Poor boy is looking better but obv far more of a project than anticipated.
Daughter not keen to contact dealer and not sure if they would have him back plus he has had 5 owners so all a bit suspicious and we would worry about him.
Current plan is groundwork only , establish relationship ,get a well fitting saddle and start from scratch but I'm worried we can't undo what's already been done and whether we can sort the bucking which worries me.
Reluctant to send him anywhere to be restarted or would this be better or add to his anxiety about not being settled.
The plan was to hack ,basic schooling and turn away for winter and get going spring 2022 but as usual we're on another plan.
I would welcome thoughts about how we proceed.
Thanks

 

[Debsflo1]

To add another saddler today feels he is short backed hence previous saddlers were too long despite being fitted by master saddler so another fitting next week.

 

[eggs]

Has he seen a vet for a work up ?

 

[mariew]

There are plenty of people here who hopefully will know more, but from your description I would take a few steps back and get help from someone who knows how to start horses. It sounds like his backing was maybe done rushed? (If all physical issues have been ruled out). However this is almost impossible to tell from a forum post so I would get a good trainer experienced in youngsters to assess what is going on.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would have a vet work up before starting anymore ridden work.

 

[Debsflo1]

Yes we have gone back to essentially rebacking and vet work up if no change.
We do feel very much he has been rushed as he is a sweet soul and very mannered.
Loads nicely ,groundwork good.
Currently long lining and general handling

 

[Shilasdair]

Is he bucking mainly into canter transitions?

 

[Debsflo1]

Initially he had a buck when worried about horses moving across the yard so figured anxiety / confidence.
Bucked again walking round a field with another horse in it so possibly too much too soon.
Since then it was on right canter transition but looked like just sorting legs and then found poll adhesions ,bean and tight hip flexor so thought related to that.
Last 2 weeks bucking is now on walk trot transition and can be any time.
He was initially difficult to mount, this has improved a lot after taking time .
Ridden work is very short and light.

 

[Shilasdair]

I have found youngsters often buck into a canter transition to get their hind legs under them, as they have yet to learn to flex their hocks instead.
But it sounds as if yours is just learning he can evade through bucking. If you have a brave jockey you could try riding him forwards strongly with leg and whip aid if necessary. If you feel this is unsafe, then you could lunge him and send him very strongly forward with the whip if he bucks.
But - you may be safer/happier sending him to a reputable professional for schooling.

 

[Debsflo1]

Hes much happier to lunge , no bucking

 

[Melody Grey]

He sounds quite stressy- have you considered ulcers? I’d go with a vet work up before doing anything more I think.

 

[AmyMay]

Work up, and turn away (ish, but continue gentle groundwork). If he’s sore, he’s going to complain. (Just my initial thoughts).

 

[Casey76]

Sounds like he has some holes in his basic education.

The ‘XC schooling’ could literally be ‘has seen XC jumps once in order to add to resumé’

I would go right back to basics and restart him. Make sure he is properly comfortable with his tack and transitions on the lunge before adding a rider again.

 

[Upthecreek]

Did anything come up on the vetting and were you or your daughter there when it was done? Assume you chose the vet? You said the horse looked unsettled when ridden when you tried it - in what way?

Re-starting and going right back to basics is usually successful with a horse that young, but you need to be prepared to take it very slowly to work through the issues the horse already has. I would get a vet work up done first though to rule out pain as his behaviour is escalating and has not been solved by the other things you’ve tried.