Goofy Fellow.

Sometimes my 5 year old gets excited when I let him canter, if we haven't ridden for a while, he never does this in the arena or working pen, only when we are on the trail because he really enjoys them. I know its because he's excited and happy.

He will throw his head around, and sometimes kick out. I don't mind when he gives a little head toss but kicking out and bucking like he's playing in his field could be dangerous for both me and my riding company. I want him to be mindful he's carrying a rider so he doesn't goof off too much, the last thing I want to do is beat up his playful spirit because he's such a character, I don't want to ruin that. I want him to know it's ok to have fun, quietly, but not get crazy.

What is a good way for me to teach him its not okay to do that? I don't want to be aggressive about it, but I want to make my point clear.

maybe each time he does it to bring him back to a trot and then ask again....not sure how you'd go about doing it.....hmmm....maybe someone else would know

I have had the same problem with my boy, he does the same thing at canter and gallop

Like suggested above is alot like what i do.

Watch the head and dont let the horse put it down..because that can lead to the bucking. What i say is a not to growly but still firm....ah ah ah. And slow down a little to help keep your control, it is better if you can avoid going right back to troting tho, as what you are wanting to do is ride through the undesirable behaviour, so staying at the canter but just slowing down a little if you can.

Hmm, depending on where you are, if I have a colt that's doing that, I'll bump them and circle them, not for a one-rein stop, but to canter circles to make it more work, less time to think "goof off". If there's not enough room to circle, I do try to flex their head a little to either side a couple of strides, push the body over in lateral movement away from the lead leg, etc. When they settle down, I let them "just canter".

It tends to happen along the roadside, but sometimes in the spare pasture, in the pasture, I could probably circle him, but as far on road... not so much.

When he does get too funky, I'll give him a "Quit it!" and give the reins a tap, getting his head centered again but its not helping. I will try slowing him down and circling, if I have to, I'll go down to a trot and ask him again.

buck gets this way sometimes you just have to push him threw it until he stops

If you can sit it okay, what we do is give them a time and a place it's acceptable to be goofy, like when it's just us on the trail. My instructor's daughter (who's actually my instructor now)'s horse, Shy, loves to kick up her heels when she feels good. My instructor gives her a time and a place, "play time", when it's okay to act that way, and Shy understands when they're "working" it's unacceptable.

I think Sonny said what I would probably do, pull him down to a trot as soon as he acts that way. That way he learns if he acts that way, he doesn't get to canter with you. Hoovey can get the same way in a canter, he's just so excited to feel good and share it with me.