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 Expert
Posts: 1631
   
Location: Somewhere around here | Exactly two years ago I jumped on my husbands horse, a red roan Hancock + Skipper W gelding, for a working trail ride. About five minutes after I saddled up and got on, he bucked me off. My right foot caught the stirrup. I broke my foot and severely twisted my ankle. I'll admit the he was fresh and I probably shouldn't have rode him thinking back to how windy it was but I've ridden him before with no problem. Since last summer I've been thinking about getting back on him and teaching him barrels since I know he could turn pretty wickedly but I'm scared that he'll put me back in the hospital. Lately I have been thinking about Mary Walker and how Latte sent her to the hospital a few years ago but after time she overcame it and they have won so much together. It's such an inspirational story and it makes me wonder, am I just being a coward? |
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 Veteran
Posts: 253
Location: EDGE OF INSANITY | no, i don't think you're a coward. I had a mare about 5 years back that was VERY spooky. I was riding her along the fence line, and i have no idea what she saw, but she jumped sideways into the fence, out of pure instinct, i stuck my arm out (bad move on my part) to keep from hitting the fence (if that makes sense) and my arm went in between the fence and the top wire. I was hung elbow deep and when she jumped back the other way, i came off-bc i was hung in the fence-but my foot was hung in the stirrup. i had enough wits about me to flip myself over and get my foot out, but in the process my mare tried to jump over me and kicked me in the back of the head. Long story short, one concussion, torn shoulder and ripped up arm later, i still HATE getting on her. I think Mary Walker's story is different bc it was a fall/freak thing, if that horse bucked you off intentionally, that is something completely different. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 432
| I had a horse that bucked me off hard into a fence the third time I rode him. It took me almost 2 months to get back on him. About 3 weeks after it happened, I started working with him again. I went crazy slow working on ground work. Working him over logs, back him, moving front end, moving hind hind, until he did it all easily. When I ran out of things I could think of to do with him without getting on him, I acted like I wasn't scared and got on him. Never had a problem like that with him again.
Has you're husband or anyone else ridden or worked him since? Was it a one time thing or is the horse just not totally broke or confident with a rider? |
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 Veteran
Posts: 168
Location: Wyoming | Don't think there is any magic potion. You just have to grit your teeth and do it. I have been bucked off lots of colts in my life (I break colts but not a bronc rider). I know I have to do it cause nobody is going to do it for me. I would have someone else ride him around, warm him up them hand the reins right over to you. Take a deep breath and climb on. Some people can't ever get over that mental hurdle. That doesn't make you weak just normal.
The biggest thing I have to remind myself if I get on a horse I can't seem scared of it and if it needs gotten after for something or made to do something I need to do it or they get away with things and it just creates problems that tend to snowball. Hope that makes sense.
Edited by luv2trainhorses 2014-01-31 11:49 AM
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| If it's a horse that didn't mean to really hurt me, I usually don't have a problem.
Did the roan horse intentionally do it, was he fresh, is he a known bucker? Sometimes hard to tell if it's intentional when fresh, but otherwise, if he's a known bucker, then it might be hard.
Just make sure you work him in a round pen or something to take the stink off first or make someone else ride him first then get on.
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | Latte fell with her... This is a trust issue with you and this horse. |
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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | I got bucked off two weeks ago - still sore ad getting over it physically. I'm going to give it another week and then I will climb back on her...... My plans for her were to take her to some exhibitions soon, but I guess this will have to wait again.....
Not looking forward to these first few rides. This is also a very smart mare and I wouldn't put it past her to buck me off again now that she saw how easy it was for her....
Like John Wayne said: "Courage is being scared to death and saddeling up anyway...!"  |
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Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | He was a little fresh and it was windy, so that didn't help at all. Plus he is somewhat of a known bucker. If he is ridden once a week he will be fine but he's smart. We have a friend who rides in at the feedlot in town but he only uses him sometimes. He's smart though. He knows that he can't really get away with much if he's in an enclosed area, like a feedlot where there's board and fence everywhere, but if he's out in the open it's fair game to him. Our area doesn't have any fence so that's the main thing that gets me worried. Plus we don't have a round pen to work him in otherwise I'd saddle him up and work him in there to see if he has any bucks in him. I've asked my husband to get on him a few times but rarely it happens. He's works full-time and doesn't get enough time just to hope on.
Also, he's very broke. Or at least he used to be haha. My husband won a reining buckle on him about 4 years ago when he was in college. And with Mary, I'm just saying how I think it's inspirational because she wasn't scared to get back on after being in the hospital. I think after something like that it would take a lot of guts to get back on a horse, even a dead broke one.
Edited by cecollins0811 2014-01-31 12:15 PM
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | I have a horse that a few years ago pulled a very rank (rank meaning bad) move on me. It involved a lot of rearing, lungeing, and trying to throw himself on the ground. with me on. I rode him through it, but it shook my confidence something fierce. I sent him off to a trainer who was able to "retrain" the brain and he's made a 180. He has not ever offered to do anything stupid since getting him back from the trainer, but its always in the back of my mind.
Something that makes me feel confident is doing LOTS of ground work with him. I can visually gage his mental state through the ground work. When he is kind, soft, and willing only then will I get on. If something "wierd" happens while im in the saddle I will get off and do more ground work.
I built up my rides on him slowly. If that meant I only trotted around the arena for a few days thats what I did. It took a while, but eventually I gained my confidence back and through ground work established myself as a better, more confident leader. Also through ground work I found out what made this horse "tick;" what causes him concern and what he's confident with.
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | i used to run a horse that could really buck and i mean he was good watching..........wiped me out at a few rodeos and jackpots..and the biggest thing was i got right back on (banged up and dazed..lol) and i would try to ran harder the 2nd go .........fear is hard to overcome and im a firm believer in facing fear head on because if you dont it will stick with you(when it comes to horses, snakes are different...lol)
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| It sounds to me like the horse needs a daily job, not just a once every week or two job. Not sure how to go about that if you don't have much time, other than sell him to someone who'd use him. That isn't going to help your confidence problem though. |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | mruggles - 2014-01-31 12:33 PM i used to run a horse that could really buck and i mean he was good watching..........wiped me out at a few rodeos and jackpots..and the biggest thing was i got right back on (banged up and dazed..lol) and i would try to ran harder the 2nd go .........fear is hard to overcome and im a firm believer in facing fear head on because if you dont it will stick with you(when it comes to horses, snakes are different...lol)
m
Ha, I'd much rather deal with a snake than a bucking horse!  |
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Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | Gunner11 - 2014-02-01 12:00 PM mruggles - 2014-01-31 12:33 PM i used to run a horse that could really buck and i mean he was good watching..........wiped me out at a few rodeos and jackpots..and the biggest thing was i got right back on (banged up and dazed..lol) and i would try to ran harder the 2nd go .........fear is hard to overcome and im a firm believer in facing fear head on because if you dont it will stick with you(when it comes to horses, snakes are different...lol)
m Ha, I'd much rather deal with a snake than a bucking horse!
lol...id go with the bronc...snakes turn me in to 100% girl, the poisonous ones(the ones we dont have where i live..whew)
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Me too!! Give me a horse over a snake every day of the week!
to the OP ... Courage and determination can help in this mind over matter situation. Can you haul him somewhere (friends' place or a trainer) that has a roundpen? I've had to do this before to help me step back up on one that pile drove me into the dirt. I worked once a week in a roundpen with a friend there for support and supervision. Go slow, work him on the ground first, and don't give up!! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 387
| 3 years ago i was riding my fresh gelding, it was windy and he was still green. well we ran into some hidden wire and he got scared and started bucking, i fell but my foot went through the stirrup. my boots were loose but it was the way my leg went through
He ran for 1/4 mile with me dragging under him. my body hit his back legs pretty hard and he turned around to try to get away from me and my foot was stuck.
so the only option he had left was to kick, so he double barreld me and both feet connected with my free leg in the knee and that was enough force to get my boot off. knee bounced off my head and i woke up in alot of pain.
i was able to call for help to go to the hospital. I shattered my knee.
Iv had 5 surgeries on it and still more to go till i get it replaced. ppl told me to shoot it, can him for meat, hes a good for nothing pos. but he was only protecting himself.
I was scared to get back on him. i took it slow, lots of arena riding, and he know i was scared and hed act more spooky cause he knew i was nervous. untill one day i relized he didnt mean to hurt me, and any of my horses would of done the same im sure. I just kept riding and I have my complete confidence back, my biggest fear is getting hung up again, but i take extra care that wont happen. Im so glad i got back on him, he's turing into an outstanding barrel horse and im hoping that he will turn into my main mount!
I know its hard but it does get better! Just keep riding, small steps at first till you have your confidence back and it will come back! just start out with what your confortable at first! |
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Regular
Posts: 56
Location: Oklahoma | I bought a colt last year off the track. Turned him out for a few months, sent him to a trainer, and brought him home. The most athletic horse. Loved, loved, loved him. Rode him for 3 months. One day, I get on him and started to ride off..........he came unwound. Bucked me off into the run-back lane of our arena (not the nice worked up ground) cracked ribs. Didn't get on him, as I couldn't. Laid in the arena for about 10 minutes wondering what the heck I was going to do now. That was in February/March. Never got back on. In October/November, I was walking out of the barn and he was standing with his butt to me watching my husband saddle his horse at the trailer. Next thing I knew, I was up at least 3 feet off the ground, hit on my back/butt and did a back roll. The horse is very laid back. He double-footed kicked me right by by ribs/diaphragm area. Hurt again!! I told my husband, Merry Christmas as I will never set foot on that horse ever!! He doesn't like me. Hubby keeps telling me he thinks he would be the best barrel horse in the barn. I told him - NOT WITH ME ON HIM!! I can't get over it. I am ashamed to admit that I'm scared of him, and have no desire to overcome it. I have too many other horses that I run - not going to worry with this one.  |
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 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | rachellyn80 - 2014-01-31 11:56 AM Latte fell with her... This is a trust issue with you and this horse.
Here's the difference! And, imo, it's HUGE!
Mine bucked me off and drug me. I had a concussion and didn't remember a thing about it. So, getting back on, once I was physically able (it took months), wasn't so bad. When she split the second time, I dang sure remembered and sent her packing. IMO, it's absolutely not worth it to me. I have a lot to live for. Three kiddos to be exact.
Fear is healthy sometimes.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
Location: Usually on my horse | It is not easy....been there done that. Was bucked off a horse that never ever bucked before. I had only had her for a few months and was really liking her. One day on a cool September morning, while exhibitioning, without warning, she broke in two. I fell off and was knocked unconscious and ended up with a brain hemmorage. I couldn't get back on her til I healed and rode her as soon as I could which was not until the following spring. It took all the courage I had inside me to get back on that horse. I had lost all confidence and was scared of her. Long story short, I rode her and raced her that whole summer after she had bucked me off. I had a death grip on the saddle horn for the whole season. She actually seemed to baby-sit me all summer. As time went on I began to trust her again. She never bucked again and I have had her now for almost 5 years. Don't know what went wrong that day it all happened, but whatever it was is still always in the back of my mind. I wore a helmet then and I don't ever get on a horse without one now.
Good luck with your horse. I know how you feel ! |
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 Did I miss the party?
Posts: 3864
| I think it's just a personal thing you have to choose if you want to learn to overcome or don't get on the horse again. I was bucked off bad during a run in October of 2011. Six broken bones, a punctured lung and a brain bleed. I've owned the mare for 13 years now (11 as of back then). She had bucked 3 times at that point with the first being when she was 14. Turns out, she had a cyst on her ovary.
To make a long story short. I have had a hard time getting back to where I was running barrels on ANY horse. Much less her. But, I still have her and still ride her. I know why she did what she did and I don't blame her. I climbed back on her after TWO YEARS of not riding her a couple of months back. No round pen, nothing, just rode off. I knew she wouldn't buck and she hasn't. She is my favorite horse in my barn to ride. But, I still don't know if I would be able to run her and trust me, this is a NICE horse that placed at WPRA rodeos and won a lot of 1D-2D money.
But once you've been hurt bad, it's difficult to ride the way you are capable of when that fear is in your body. You get stiff and too cautious to ride a hard running barrel horse. As far as one that is known bucker. Nope, not something I'd be interested in personally. |
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Blessed 
Location: Here | barrelracinbroke - 2014-01-31 8:34 PM I think it's just a personal thing you have to choose if you want to learn to overcome or don't get on the horse again. I was bucked off bad during a run in October of 2011. Six broken bones, a punctured lung and a brain bleed. I've owned the mare for 13 years now (11 as of back then). She had bucked 3 times at that point with the first being when she was 14. Turns out, she had a cyst on her ovary.
To make a long story short. I have had a hard time getting back to where I was running barrels on ANY horse. Much less her. But, I still have her and still ride her. I know why she did what she did and I don't blame her. I climbed back on her after TWO YEARS of not riding her a couple of months back. No round pen, nothing, just rode off. I knew she wouldn't buck and she hasn't. She is my favorite horse in my barn to ride. But, I still don't know if I would be able to run her and trust me, this is a NICE horse that placed at WPRA rodeos and won a lot of 1D-2D money.
But once you've been hurt bad, it's difficult to ride the way you are capable of when that fear is in your body. You get stiff and too cautious to ride a hard running barrel horse. As far as one that is known bucker. Nope, not something I'd be interested in personally.
wise words.
Nothing to be ashamed of if you dont. |
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 I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
Location: stray dump capital of the world | I got bucked off April 7th breaking several bones. I am still dealing with issues from those broken in my tailbone and pelvis. I know the buck off was a combination of the domino effect and I do not trust this horse. I began working with a trainer and the horse's underlying trust issues have surfaced. This guy was shuffled through at least 9 owners before he was dumped out here. I have seen such a huge improvement in the horse with the trainer. Most of our sessions focused on ground work with the latest session, last Saturday, ended with me riding the horse. He is trying and my confidence is getting stronger. Perhaps a few sessions with a trainer will help you.
Let me say that you ARE NOT a coward. I'm not a coward. It's called self preservation, gut instinct or the insane idea that, "hey...I don't want to break another bone!" whatever it is, listen to it. When you are ready, it'll happen. Sending prayers your way.
Edited by sophiebelle 2014-02-01 1:45 PM
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | zansbeunogal_2268 - 2014-01-31 1:35 PM 3 years ago i was riding my fresh gelding, it was windy and he was still green. well we ran into some hidden wire and he got scared and started bucking, i fell but my foot went through the stirrup. my boots were loose but it was the way my leg went through He ran for 1/4 mile with me dragging under him. my body hit his back legs pretty hard and he turned around to try to get away from me and my foot was stuck. so the only option he had left was to kick, so he double barreld me and both feet connected with my free leg in the knee and that was enough force to get my boot off. knee bounced off my head and i woke up in alot of pain. i was able to call for help to go to the hospital. I shattered my knee. Iv had 5 surgeries on it and still more to go till i get it replaced. ppl told me to shoot it, can him for meat, hes a good for nothing pos. but he was only protecting himself. I was scared to get back on him. i took it slow, lots of arena riding, and he know i was scared and hed act more spooky cause he knew i was nervous. untill one day i relized he didnt mean to hurt me, and any of my horses would of done the same im sure. I just kept riding and I have my complete confidence back, my biggest fear is getting hung up again, but i take extra care that wont happen. Im so glad i got back on him, he's turing into an outstanding barrel horse and im hoping that he will turn into my main mount! I know its hard but it does get better! Just keep riding, small steps at first till you have your confidence back and it will come back! just start out with what your confortable at first!  
That's a HUGE accomplishment!!
I've heard if you get bucked off and there's anyway possible you get back on right then. Because of that I've gotten right back on the same horse with broken ribs, and broken ribs and a broken wrist. I think it did make a difference. There's only been one time I couldn't and that's when a horse tripped & flipped with me going doing a fence after a cow and I separated my shoulder and almost went into shock.
I think working out and building strength is a confidence booster that's often overlooked.
The other thing is don't get on until your horse tells you he's ready to get on. Pay attention to the subtle signs. When you can tell your horse is relaxed and ready, then it makes you feel more comfortable about riding them.
I took a green mare to a ranch clinic this summer and I was worried about it. She'd had less than 10 rides and hadn't been under saddle at all for at least 2 months and we were going out to get cows and working on cutting. I let the clinician test her out and work her on the ground. He didn't have to do much at all to get her mind and then she was ready to go. Just knowing her mind was with me made all the difference in the world in not only how she rode but also in my confidence as well. We had a great ride that day and I was so proud of her, but it was the ground work and waiting until she was ready that made the difference.
The last thing I'd say is control your environment as much as you can and wade out a little at a time.
Tell yourself you can do it.
Edited by Fairweather 2014-01-31 8:58 PM
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I don't. I'm not discouraging you. At all. Just telling you that I've never been able to deal with horses again if they hurt me on purpose. I've been able to snap a few out that bucked hard and ride the snot out of them and wasn't scared of them at all. I've been taken advantage of a few times getting on, gotten hurt, and was NEVER able to trust the horse again. Once they get to my mind, I'm done. He has my number, then he has an auction lot number. Easy. There are so many good ones that love you and will turn their world upside down making things right for you to waste time on an unwilling partner. I'm not a chicken, I'll crawl on just about anything (just ask Snazzy, I'm her guinea pig), BUT once that sucker hurts me, I'm out. I got kicked hard by a four year old I was starting at the local auction barn, he broke my meniscus and tore my ACL, and I limped for 6 months. I never rode him again, even though he was a nice enough horse. I just couldn't get past how badly he'd hurt me on purpose. |
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Did I miss the party?
Posts: 3864
| SG. - 2014-01-31 6:51 PM barrelracinbroke - 2014-01-31 8:34 PM I think it's just a personal thing you have to choose if you want to learn to overcome or don't get on the horse again. I was bucked off bad during a run in October of 2011. Six broken bones, a punctured lung and a brain bleed. I've owned the mare for 13 years now (11 as of back then). She had bucked 3 times at that point with the first being when she was 14. Turns out, she had a cyst on her ovary.
To make a long story short. I have had a hard time getting back to where I was running barrels on ANY horse. Much less her. But, I still have her and still ride her. I know why she did what she did and I don't blame her. I climbed back on her after TWO YEARS of not riding her a couple of months back. No round pen, nothing, just rode off. I knew she wouldn't buck and she hasn't. She is my favorite horse in my barn to ride. But, I still don't know if I would be able to run her and trust me, this is a NICE horse that placed at WPRA rodeos and won a lot of 1D-2D money.
But once you've been hurt bad, it's difficult to ride the way you are capable of when that fear is in your body. You get stiff and too cautious to ride a hard running barrel horse. As far as one that is known bucker. Nope, not something I'd be interested in personally. wise words.
Nothing to be ashamed of if you dont.
Thank you my friend. 
As you know, I'm still trying to overcome that fear and it really sucks. If I would've been able to get right back on, I would've. But the ambulance drivers woulda probably protested. |
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How to get back on a horse that's hurt you?