Whether you have acquired a new horse, just learning to ride, or are training a young horse to be ridden, a little knowledge can help you control a horse’s reaction to you being in the saddle. The following list a few things that may be causing the bucking. You can learn more by visition our article: Reasons and Solutions for bucking: (or whatever we call the first article)
Some things to consider if your horse is bucking are below. Solutions can be found in the article above.
- Changing your horse’s environment. Like people, some horses aren’t easily adjusted to change. Please watch for any signs of stress if you have recently changed your horses location, exercise routine or feed.
- Not enough exercise. Maybe he or she is spending more time in the stable that they are used to. Perhaps your horse has some pent-up energy from being confined and just needs to be outside and exercise more. Horses are no different than humans, they need regular exercise for good mental health.
- Have you changed your horse’s feed lately? Sometimes treats can be high in energy and will make a horse jittery or have too much energy. Try feeding only good pasture or high-quality hay and see if this calms them. We all like to ‘treat’ our loved ones, but if your horse is bucking your generosity may be the cause.
- Don’t rule out health issues. If your horse isn’t feeling well or is in pain, he or she may try and let you know by bucking. Always look your horse over thoroughly and call in a professional veterinarian if you suspect they are ill or in pain.
- Has your horse outgrown his equipment? Ill fitting saddles and other equipment can cause a horse discomfort and may make them buck. If something is pinching, binding, or putting undue pressure on your horse, he may let you know by bucking. Look your equipment over carefully every time to make sure it fits, isn’t causing pain, and is correctly fitted to your horse. Check to see that the girth and bit are not too tight.