Horrible Bucking Problem, Help?

Question

I recently purchased a nice paint horse. His name is Rio. :] We got him from an auction, no one bought the poor guy. So my dad went and got him for cheap. We have some money to spare, and we have been buying and selling a couple horses to save money for a different horse.

Rio is a sweetheart on the ground. We know that he goes buck crazy when you get on however. He's gotten away with it for a while, but we have all the time in the world to fix him. We board him with a very good trainer, who helps me do in hand work.

This horse has been all over the country. He has lived in at least 4 different states, with at least 8 different owners. He has been to auction at least 3 times. Now I think he has some trust issues.

Our first step is a month of in-hand work and trust exercises. I'm out to the barn almost all day, and I need some exercises to build trust. Also to build a little muscle. Any fun tricks or games? Websites? I have all the time in the world.

Answer 1

"We also will be putting some rodeo guys on him (hahaha) just to see why exactly he bucks. Someone said that it only happens at the canter. This is a sign of a horrible disease, and he may have to be put down."

Wait, huh? ....

I don't know if that was meant to be a quote from someone you spoke to, or if you're serious...at any rate, that is incorrect.

Interesting about his huge shoulders. I have a feeling that at least some of his issues stem from perhaps a lifetime of incorrect saddle fitting, which very well could have changed the way his muscles grow and work over the years.

On that note, I highly reccomend T-Touch.  Not only is it something you can do on the ground to help him get used to you and to build trust, but you can use it very effectively to discern what areas of his body are causing him pain.  You can also use it to help stretch out and massage his body, which I suspect he greatly needs.  I'm glad the vet is coming out - I also highly, highly recommend you get a chiropractor out there, too.  I have a feeling he/she will find much in need of adjustment.

I own the first, original T-Touch book and I have found it to be very helpful and easy to follow.  Tons of photos showing each step-by-step instruction given.  This is the book I am talking about and the one I suggest you purchase, at least in the beginning:

http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Telli...

They have a used copy available for $2.34, how can you go wrong!  (I love used books...)

Good luck!

Answer 2

just keep working on the ground manners, like it sounds like you are. allow him to be-friend you, but make sure he knows that you are the boss, no questions asked. he can't rib his head on you. step on you, push/pull you, nothing that you don't want him to do, with my horses i even go as far as no neighing when i'm working with them, because they're supposed to be focused on me. then when you have his respect on the ground, lounge him with all his tack on, if he bucks then,  it might mean that his saddle hurts him, have someone experianced  look at it if you don't know what you're looking for. then ride him at a walk, make sure he keeps his head up, it is harder for them to buck if their head is up. if he tries to buck, turn him in a tight circle, spank him with a bat, your hand, or the tail of the reins while saying no in a very loud low voice, you are the boss, and you mean buissness. then repeat this step through the other gaits as you advance

Answer 3

I have the PERFECT answer for you!!  There is a guy named "Endospink" on youtube.  He does what's called an endorphine tap on horses.  He just released his video a few months ago so that regular people can learn how to do it.  It makes the horse relax (veterinarian tested to lower heart rate - it is similar to the idea of twitching a horse where endorphines are released, but this is used for riding, etc.  He has won several colt starting challenges and he is well known for fixing the naughty race horses that can't be ridden by anyone else.  I highly suggest the video - it'll change your horse abilities for ever!!

Answer 4

Please check out Parelli Natural Horsemanship! He sounds like a really excellent candidate for a success story. It's mostly games for the horse and you, which teaches the horse to be a better follower and not be scared, and be in tune with you, which will transfer to riding. My mare used to buck quite a bit too and this really helped, now we're beginning level 3 and enjoying it more and more every day! You really should check it out, get the Seven Games DVD, and get started! Have fun! :)

Answer 5

Go back to very basic ground work.  Check out some of the natural horsemanship techniques.  Bless you for attempting to help this horse.  There are so many out there like him.  After the problem is created, by a human, then he is just passed off and around and never gets any help.  Hope you can.  good luck.

Answer 6

Looks like you have good help and some good answers. I could add that I would put the saddle on to do ground work. Make him wear it all day.  Then, try driving him forward from behind by using a longe line from each side of the bridle. Its like you are riding but you are on the ground and too far behind to get kicked.  If he bucks no one is falling off or gripping him tighter on his sides.  You might even put a pair of sand filled jeans on the saddle to simulate someone on his back. Tie the legs at the bottom and add the sand. Of course tie the top shut as well.  See how it works. I will check out your blog. Good luck.

Answer 7

I agree with Barefoot - well put!

Answer 8

It sounds as though you are doing everything possible and I have no suggestions to add. I will "watch this space" to see how you get along.

I would suggest a vet -check but you are doing that already so all I can do is wish you both luck with it all.'

Please keep us posted on progress.

Answer 9

I would try the join up. Look it up online, it will explain it better that I can.

Answer 10

Have you had him checked by a vet to see if he has a back problem as my mare went through this and it turned out she had bruised her back and was protesting about the pressure being on it from the saddle and rider. Maybe the saddle doesn't fit properly or pinches him somewhere. Failing that it could simply be a trust issue or perhaps he has been taught to buck by a previous owner. He sounds like a beautiful horse though. Cheers.

Answer 11

if your horse has a bucking problem praise him when he does not buck that way he thinks that he does not like to buck and get to know him on the ground then in the saddle if you ride bareback on another horse and get your balance then you can stay on and he will accepted that you have stayed on and rode his buck he may also be testing you to see how good you are and to see who is the boss

Answer 12

:) GOOD FOR YOU! I love my little rescued guy, he was beaten and starved, I knew his past and took him then gave the owner 300 dollars just so it would be official he was mine.

Anyway, first thing first you definately need to do some ground work. If he's fearful, there are a few things you need to establish.

The first thing, when you go into his pen he NEVER turns his hindquarters to you, if he does, drive him away. This isn't being mean, this is being the "alpha" horse in the relationship. You don't beat him or whip him but you drive him away and free lounge him in his pen until he calms down, then you say "whoa" and wait until he calms, turn your back if you need to. Lounge him until he is ready to relax though, dropping his head, l*****g his lips, looking to you, etc. Don't forget to get him to change directions, you are being the alpha horse without biting or kicking, be happy it's this easy :).

Then, slowly walk up to him and (carry treats) give him a treat! See if when you walk off you can't coax him to come with you, if he turns his hindquarters drive him away again. This establishes a relationship of he can follow you or not move, but he cannot run from you or swing his hindquarters. Soon he'll learn that when you walk away he can follow or stand until you leave, then he's fine. My horses come running to me.

To begin with, work with that, it's the best idea, I'd also work on just normal things like tying. He can stand still. If he kicks you, give him a sharp pop IMMEDIATELY. I'm not talking about a little pop, it needs to be sharp. Then move on, do not think about it, do not remember it and pretend nothing happened. Reward for small things. Also, I find it works wonders just to sit in the pen and feed treats. Get yourself a nice tall barrel or bucket to sit on and just give him some treats. My TB mare was scared to death of people on the ground and now she'll chase me all over the pasture. Don't forget to rub him down everywhere AND, he should learn to back just by you walking towards his chest. He should yield his hindquarters when you press on them, etc.

Good luck!! I'm so glad you rescued him :)

Edit: Don't give up on him, I would hate to see this poor horse get put down, just from hearing his past. If you need ANY help at all, any support or if I can help with absolutely anything I know what it's like to have a near bronc under you because of fear/trust issues. Email me at [e-mail] or if you have msn you can chat with me at [e-mail]

I just wish you the best of luck, be careful around him. He doesn't sound mean, he really doesn't, and just bucking at the canter doesn't mean he IS lame or hurt, he could just be unbalanced, never been able to pick up a canter without being forced and is afraid, etc. If you need anything, just talk to me :3 I'll do my best to help.

Answer 13

I have seen people offering the suggestion of join up but don't do it! You get a submissive horse but its not a thing of trust. Join up is tiring the horse out ( as monty roberts says for about a quarter of a mile) and then they eventually submit to you because they run out of energy. It will teach your horse to behave but its not a true horseman kind of thing it just appears that way, a lot of the natural horsemanship stuff is based on acting onto a prey animal (horse) and having them submit to you so if you want trust then those methods arent the way to go. General working will actually strengthen your bond more. Lunging and getting him to listen to you without threatening him is a good way to build trust. Just because its work and we assume horses dont like it doesnt mean its not worthwhile. If your horse can see you and you ask him to work for you in an assertive way, he will in turn be assertive, but not aggressive (bucking) or submissive ( not the best way to gain trust at all) and once you are working together in an assertive way you get to know eachother and form a mutual understanding of eachothers personalities and your horse can learn that he knows you and can trust that you aren't going to act aggressive towards him based upon your regularity of being an assertive person. The top pack leader that horses will have is always the most assertive and the most honest and routine, as in that they are regular in their behaviour patterns and so can be trusted

Answer 14

you need to take baby steps with that little guy.work him but only in short sessions to start and go back to the basics.take him out in the pasture and just hang out with him and watch his body language so you can know what each and every tick is saying to you.one thing i do to my horses to teach them trust is to lightly pet over the eyelid ( my horses will fall asleep when i do it now) till they know i wont hurt them.in a horses world ,trust is not given  ,but earned.find a western saddle that has a short rounded skirt with a ringed back cinch,this should get rid of the pinching problems and allow a little more freedom of his hind end.work him with just a halter until he can be ridden with just a halter and lead rope in a round pen then work him in an arena the same way (please don't do this unless you are a very accomplished rider) then start with light bit training.he sounds like a great horse but a little misunderstood,take your time and build his trust and he will tell you when it is time to move to the next level.

Answer 15

first there is a channel on TV called RFD they show shows were people train horses to do things and teach them not to do naughty things like that.  While watching an episode one night i heard to spend as much time as you can with him.  talk to him feed him treats and when he does buck do something that he might not like very much to show him what he is doing in not acceptable at all like big a whip out things like that.  Also i had saw an AD on the same channel about a bridle f some sort that prevents bucking...... It puts pressure around the ears and weight on the head that makes it hard for him to buck.     good luck ............tina

P.S. I might be thirteen but i am as sure as anyone that this is worthat least trying.

Answer 16

You've got to take everything back to the basics. This horse needs to learn all over again how to trust people and that starts on the ground. Don't give groundwork a time limit either... Judge that by the horse and how you both progress with each other. I suggest looking into some natural horsemanship clinicians such as Parelli or Clinton Anderson.

Answer 17

Good thing, you may be spending all the time in the world with this horse on the ground.  Sounds like many have tried and failed with him, this just leads him to believe that if he bucks long enough eventually he'll be left alone.  good luck with this one, hope you don't get hurt...