Bucking...

I rode my mare today and after a while and she calmed down, I got to thinking... which I tend to do a lot while horseback riding. Anyway, let me get on with my point...

My mare is a bucker. She isn't in pain, her saddle fits... she used to buck to try and get you off because she learned that she could intimidate her old owners... now she bucks out of habit or if she's feeling really good or is in high spirits.

Anyway, as I said, she's a bucker... I've been thrown by her a few times because I lost my balance or she just took me by surprise, but I was thinking about her bucking earlier while riding (she bucked a few times on this ride, just so you know)... and I realized that her bucking doesn't phase me a bit anymore... I don't even bat an eye when she lets one go, no matter how big or small of a buck it is. I've gotten to where I can sit and ride a buck out extremely easily... and my girl bucks pretty hard most of the time, though, as I mentioned before, she's not doing it to get you off.

Surely it's not very good to be so used to riding out bucks that it doesn't even bother you anymore... I know that I should feel a little bit cautious whenever riding her, because of her bucking... but I can't... because I recognize it as just a part of her that I can't, or won't, change.

I would love to be able to ride a bucking horse, while staying on ALL the time, no matter what.

Talent, you have.

I'm not sure what your question is...?

Have you tried stopping the bucking?

Sounds like Vellie....I actually worry when she DOESN'T buck! Had teeth, back, saddle etc checked, nothing wrong...I put it down to her spunky character...lol

I have personally found that tapping her with the crop only makes her sour and frankly, worse...I usually just work her through it until she stops...

Glad to know someone else is like this! My horse is a bucker, too. He used to race, and half way around the track, he'd buck his rider off and finish the race alone. He doesn't buck as much or as hard anymore, but he's thrown me a few times.

I can sit out a buck, too, without any trouble-knock on wood-most of the time.

Lol. I don'tremember exactly what I was going to ask... I kinda forgot it about halfway through writing the origional post...

I am wondering too, have you tried to stop her from bucking? It can be fun to ride and may seem harmless but it is a very bad habit. It is great that you can ride it out though, I know lots of people that can't even ride a crow hop. :P LOL. When I have a horse that bucks, as soon as they start, I will tighten one rein and make them bend their neck. This will keep them from bucking hard and getting their head down. I then make them go in fast small circles until I think they have had enough. When they figure out that bucking=work, most of them will stop.

I totally understand what you are going through lol my horse bucks alot, but Im in a way Im glad he does (trying to get him over it at the moment) because it has taught me how to sit it and discipline him. Have you tried stopping it? Its a horrible habit for a horse to have and I know with my boy if I let it go he just does it more. Its sort of a respect issue.

Time and patience! LOL! It's no fun to get thrown, but if you happen to really like that one horse, even though she is a pain.. Its worth it! I can't count how many cracked ribs, broken bones and trips to the hospital I have made with a few that have that issue, but I find it to be more of a determination issue.. And I am more determined! LOL!

Lol. I have, in the past, tried to get her to quit bucking, but since I've figured out how to ride her bucks out and since I can now tell when she's going to buck before she does and can usually stop her, I don't bother trying to make her break the habit. It just doesn't bother me anymore, not like it used to, anyway. I rode earlier this morning and she only bucked once... lol. She tends to buck more in the winter than in the summer, though.

If I get upset with her and her bucking, I'll make her stop and make her turn in very sharp circles with her nose on my knee for a few quick turns... but since she turns so fast that it gets me dizzy, I don't make her do it for more than four turns. I really don't mind her bucking... I've found that because I can ride her bucks out, it's helped me more than anything and I don't have hardly any balance or confidence issues (not confident enough) when riding other horses like I used to have.

And this mare is the best horse I coul ever ask for! I love her to death and she's definitely going to have a home with me forever! She's well worth her trouble! Lol.

What I don't understand is why would you discipline only sometimes? My mare bucks as well, but I view it as a large problem. Yes, I have learned to ride them out, but at the same rate it is still dangerous, as well as a nasty habit. When she bucks, I discipline, every time consistently. If I only did it every so often, she would think that bucking is okay and not understand why I am disciplining her. It would only create more confusion and frustration on her part. I don't want to tell you how to ride or how to train, but if anything, she could end up being a liability for you as well. Just a thought.