| > | | | | You see, a lot of people think they have to boot |
| It can be enormously frightening to be on a | | | | their horse hard to get the canter- - and when |
| bucking horse. If you're a novice rider, a bucking | | | | they do, they jerk on the horse's mouth when |
| horse can almost force you to give up the | | | | they boot him. Or, the rider may ride with loose |
| "owning a horse" dream. But it doesn't have to be | | | | reins so the horse will canter and then jerk his |
| that way. | | | | mouth to try and slow the horse down right |
| I've read where people who can ride a bucking | | | | when he begins cantering. |
| horse feel they're a good rider. That may be. But | | | | I don't know if you spotted it yet but what's |
| it doesn't mean they're good at training. And | | | | happening here is that the horse is getting |
| training is what we want to do. | | | | confused. Not only that, it's also hurting the horse. |
| Preventing bucking begins when the horse is a | | | | After all, put yourself in your horse's place. If you |
| colt. One must go to every extent in his training | | | | were asked to canter and the second you did |
| so he won't be inclined to buck - and that includes | | | | you felt a painful jerk on your mouth...wouldn't |
| preventing bucking if he tries. | | | | you be a little upset? And if it happened every |
| Naturally, that doesn't help you if your horse | | | | time, wouldn't you think to yourself, "I gotta get |
| bucks already. Thus, if your horse bucks then the | | | | this jerk off my back - he's killin' me!" |
| question is whether or not it is solvable. The | | | | Now let's say you don't know why your horse is |
| answer is: Usually. | | | | bucking. Let's assume your riding habits are good |
| The first thing to do is try and figure out why he | | | | and your horse bucks anyway. |
| bucks. This may be done by trying to eliminate | | | | Here are some helpful suggestions. |
| the causes. | | | | First, if your horse bucks you then it is crucial you |
| As a for instance, one of the most common | | | | don't stop him. If you do, he learns that if he |
| causes of bucking is that the rider punishes the | | | | wants to stop all he has to do is buck. Very |
| horse's mouth without knowing it. Also, he may | | | | quickly, you'll have a smart horse who knows that |
| be giving the horse conflicting aids. For instance, | | | | to stop he only has to buck. |
| the rider may boot his horse forward and jerk on | | | | So, instead of stopping, do this. |
| the reins to slow him down. Then the rider jerks | | | | First, brace your arms against your body yet |
| his head around to turn him. As the horse fights | | | | keep them relaxed and keep contact with your |
| this the rider gets mad and boots him hard again. | | | | horse. While doing this, lean back and drive your |
| Finally, the horse bucks. Why? Because he's | | | | horse to go forward. (Making a horse go forward |
| absolutely frustrated. | | | | is a big horse training secret to help you get your |
| Thus, fixing your riding habits to ones that make | | | | horse's cooperation and obedience.) |
| sense and are thoughtful for your horse will solve | | | | Because you brace your arms, it makes your |
| that problem. If you're a novice rider then riding | | | | horse's head go up and driving him forward |
| lessons will help you immensely. | | | | makes his attempts at bucking hard enough he'll |
| As you ride, ride relaxed. Focus on the feel of | | | | quit trying to buck. The point is the horse cannot |
| your horse. Give him the aid or signal to do what | | | | buck when he is moving forward with energy. |
| you want. Don't over exaggerate it. Give just | | | | The next step is you must continue moving your |
| enough signal to get him doing what you want | | | | horse forward with energy using your seat and |
| then let it be. | | | | legs until he quits trying to buck - be sure to |
| If you plan to put him into a lope from a walk or | | | | control his speed. |
| trot, or vice versa, then think ahead and do it in a | | | | Sometimes it's necessary to hold your horse's |
| relaxed fluid manner. Don't surprise or startle your | | | | head up to stop the bucking while moving him |
| horse. Keep him relaxed. A relaxed horse is not | | | | forward. If you need to do that then be sure not |
| going to buck. | | | | to pull his head back. Instead pull it up. You do |
| Another solution may be changing bits. If you are | | | | that by extending your arms and pull up. |
| using a curb bit perhaps you should try going to a | | | | If you have a horse that bucks whenever he |
| snaffle. A snaffle is easier on a horse's mouth. It | | | | feels like it then he should be doubled. The trick is |
| will still maintain contact with your horse and help | | | | to do it on the first buck if you can. Double him |
| him relax. | | | | then boot him out of it with energy. Then double |
| Another common time a horse bucks is when the | | | | him the other way and boot him out of it and put |
| rider asks the horse to canter or lope. A horse | | | | him in a trot and make him keep moving. |
| will sometimes buck in the canter because it's | | | | Remember the horse must slow down to buck. If |
| natural for him to. It could also happen if the rider | | | | you can tell your horse is slowing down and |
| signals his horse too suddenly and severely in | | | | getting ready to buck then boot him forward and |
| asking for the canter. | | | | pick up the pace. |