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[RC] Explosive Reactions - Aaron TurnageI sit here, perched on the edge of my chair, after taking a very hard fall this weekend at a ride and landing right on my rear. This is not the first time my horse has dumped me. In fact, in the year and a half I have owned him, this is the 8th or so. And I am TIRED of it!!! Almost all of the incidents where my horse has dumped me have been a result of his reaction to other horses. Once at a ride, another horse started bucking in our direction and my horse took of bucking as well. He bucks VERY WELL, high and out to the sides, with his head arched in to his chest, very hard to ride. Another two times, he bucked me off (and has attempted to unsuccessfully a few more times) because I was holding him back as the "crowd" left at a faster pace. He's bucked me off twice at horse shows when another horse shied at something and he was then spooked himself. This weekend, we were coming into the check as another rider left at a gallop straight towards us and my horse spooked badly. He is in a herd environment at the barn so it's not that he isn't exposed to other horses on a regular basis. In fact, he is the leader of the herd of eight that share the same field. When we ride, either by ourselves or with a group, he can be an EXCELLENT horse. He is not overly spooky and usually just does the "drop" spook but doesn't move side to side or spin. The problem is he is very unpredictable as to how he will react when another horse "freaks out", or takes off, or etc. I'm at my wit's end and needing some advice. The trainer at my barn has suggested I start carrying a crop and spank him when he starts bucking. That and switching to a different saddle that gives me a little more security. She thinks he's learned he can "get away with it" and it using it as an excuse. I'm not overly sure about this and don't want to make the problem worse by getting after him, although I have no qualms of doing it if it will help. I feel sometimes, such as when the group leaves, he is bucking just to be rid of me but other times, it might just be an instinctual reaction of his. So ideas? Tips? Wear velcro? I've given him until the end of October to improve or I'm going to be selling him. I just don't want the risk. ~ Crysta =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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