Bucking rearing and bolting?

Question

Okay... So I was riding him the other day after I lunged him... Me and my riding partner were riding the horses down a dirt road to get to a big field about a mile away. It is the first time we have taken either of them of THEIR property. And the whole time we were on this dirt road everything went pretty well until, we got to the pasture. We were trotting here and their and I got into a canter a few times. My riding partner then aked me "So do you want to canter up this hill first or me?" I said "Ya, you go first". and so she cantered up the hill. As soon as she got to the top my horse whirled and took off RUNNING up the hill, and he was bucking... Its hard enough to stay on running but when bucking is involved in a dead run its hard to stay on so... I fell off. As soon as I hit the ground I looked at him running off and I thought "Oh no!!!! He is going to run home on the road!!!" but he ran about 30 yards stopped and started eating grass. Just like that. I walked over to him and walked him around for a sec. and then hopped back on. We rode around the pasture for awhile and then went back home. I am guessing SOME but now ALL of his bad behavior which includes NOT standing still when asked and little rearing when he doesnt want to go somewhere well I think some of the cause is hit bit. Its a Tom Thumb and he HATES it. When I ride with it he froths at the mouth and chomps on the bit the whole time! So I got him a bitlles bridle but now... I am nervous to ride with. Is he going to stop at a dead run with this? And is it safe? And how do I stop him from bucking like this? Is it his bit? I rode him with a rope halter once and he bucked then too, but not in running and bucking. He kneck reins nicely with just a rope halter on so the bitless bridle might be fine when he is walking? And one more thing, I wont hit him or slug him or slap him when he rears bucks or bolts or doesnt stand still as it makes him madder and cracking an egg over his head is like nonsense cause when he is just running its hard enough to stay on with one hand non the less cracking an egg. And running and bucking and cracking an egg? Ya right. Haha but thank everyone for all the help, in advance! ~Phoenix.

Oh P.S. How do I make him stand still when tied and in the saddle? And When he doesnt want to stop or he wants to go right and I want him to go left or vise versa, He rears, just about one foot but still, I is going to get higher and higher so how do I stop this? Thanks again.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

How steep was this hill? If it had a pretty big grade on it it might not have been a buck, but simply your horse using his hind end to get up the hill. I have a Percheron cross who has a HUGE hind end and she know how to use it. If I'm not in the saddle well before we head up a hill, I'm all over the place. She is just SO strong. 

Tom Thumb bits are BRUTAL. Get rid of it. It actually works against itself and is extremely confusing for the horse. Not to mention harsh.

Any kind of bitless is an adjustment from a bit, you would have to take things very slow if you decide to switch over, but he should be fine, most horses are. They are as safe as anything if used properly.

You are not going to solve anything with the rearing if you are not willing to be aggressive. End of story.

He might have just been excited to be out in the open, IF he did buck. Some horses who haven't been out regularly get a bit over whelmed with wide open spaces.

Sounds like he is being fed WAY too much energy feed. Cut down on (or eliminate completely) any grains he gets. My mare cannot have any kind of grain. Ever. She goes insane, and literally cannot stand still.

Good luck

sheedalaadie · Answer

wow you have many issues here. firstly, i dont know how well a horse could buck at a dead run going up a hill, more than likely you just arent used to the velocity it takes from the rear end to run up a hill.  that being said your horse still has many training and respect issues you need to work on.  you have not set up a solid leadership role with this horse. and switching a hard to control horse to a bittless bridle is not a wise idea. btw frothing at the mouth means he is comfortable with the bit, if you dont like him chomping(playing with the bit) put a caveson on him to keep him from doing so.  you sound very inexperienced and for you and your horses safety i recommend getting a trainer to work with both of you.   this all sounds like a major accident waiting to happen

Edit: just what does being an arabian have to do with him having absolutely no respect for you? most of the deadbroke school horses i learned on were arabians and i have trained a 2 really hot blooded Arabians in endurance, and never had the issues you have manifested. youre right hitting him in the head isnt going to stop him from rearing because its your fault hes rearing in the first place.  If your horse is talented enough to gallop up a hill while bucking then i want to meet him.

you are having these problems because you dont know what youre doing and you need the guidance of a trainer.  so dont get mad and lash out at us because your parents bought you a horse you cant handle.

Demi leigh · Answer

First rule out any physical cause for this behaviour eg. pain, saddle fit, rough hands ect. If it's not physical then I can't blame him for acting like this, you let him walk all over you and he thinks he is in charge. When you ride carry a crop, if he bucks or rears give him a smack-don't just not discipline him because he gets mad, that only teaches him that if he doesn't like the discipline you stop. Smacking a misbehaved horse is not cruel-it's how horses treat each other in herds and is what he will understand. If it's not a physical reason then you really need to toughen up already and show your horse who is boss, if a kid didn't like being grounded would you just say 'ok go out and play then'?

EDIT: well I own two arabs and although horses are individuals they do tend to be more high strung then most breeds. Honestly if you can't discipline your horse effectively then hire a trainer before you get hurt. This horse sounds like he has absolutely no respect for you, thinks he is in charge and has got your number-all bad signs. You don't sound experienced enough to handle this yourself so hire a trainer before he gets worse and kills you. Plus if he has too much energy cut down on the grain-a hyper horse+high energy food don't mix-he may calm down a bit if his grain is given in proportion to exercise.

PatA · Answer

You have so many issues going on here it would take a book to answer your questions.  

This situation is an accident waiting to happen.  Not if - when.  This horse has your number and he's calling it.  On top of that, it sounds like you have ill fitting tack that isn't helping matters.

Please, before you get seriously injured, have an experienced horseman/woman or trainer help you with this horse.

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Bucking rearing and bolting?

4 Answers