When we ride horses
we are asking them to do things we want them to do and when we want them to do
it. Some are more cooperative and easier to train. I may sound like
repetition but yiedling to the bit is the first thing. Horse has to
respond when you pull his head to the side. He can't buck well or race off
that way. It does take time tho. Not sure that the Oct deadline is
enough time. For rides, don't start off with the group. I had a
horse that thought she had to be FIRST, with or without a rider. One
ride, took a 30 minute delay as she would not stand for mounting. I did
not want to ride a horse that was starting off that badly. Lunged her and
when the excitement of the other horses left, she stood just fine. Did not
win the ride but did not eat dirt either. I ened up riding her in an
Aussie saddle as it had a deeper seat and she spooked less--spooking at an
uncontrolled full gallop is not fun. Find a few friends to set your horse
up for the problem, ie get them to run past your horse in the other direction or
what ever seems to trigger the response. Try a western, aussie type saddle
for deeper seat so you are less likely to loose your seat. Take him
to other horse events: ie rodeos, shows when he is not being shown but ask
if you can saddle up for the training. Some shows don't want horses that
are not showing on the grounds. By now you may be afraid, and that
is understandable. A confidence builder horse for you may help you.
Parelli and others training may help both of you. I prefer Parelli but
Lyons has some good stuff too. The dressage center where I go sends some
horses to what we call 'cowboy' camp. They are exposed to roping and cows
and runs thru the woods with someone else on them. Some dressage lessons
are really helplful.
Lastly: if he knows he has your goat, you
have to convince him otherwise or your partnership will not get
better. Sometimes there is just a personality conflict. Mare I
had that would be out of control during a ride, could be ridden by kids in a
show arena: go figure!!! Unfortunately, horses are 'dirt' cheap
right now so you need to decide what risks of injury you are willing to
take. A borken bone puts you out of riding for 6 weeks. Good
luck.
Aaron, My horse also used
to buck like that, with his head against his chest. Th= ere is no way to stay
on if he really gets going, and I've kissed the gro= und a few
times. Other than that he is perfect, and we've won many rides
together. What worked for me was to pull ONE rein, when he begins, to bring
his hea= d to the side, and walk him in circles. If his head is to one side
he can= not buck, and will calm down. After a few times that he could not get
goi= ng the episodes started to be less frequent, and now he hardly ever
tries= .
Good luck,
Cristiano
-----Original
Message----- From: Aaron Turnage [mailto:ajandcrysta@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent:
Thursday, September 02, 2004 3:35 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject:
[RC] Explosive Reactions
I 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.
