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 World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
    
Location: PA | I’ll try to keep this short…
A little background info…I currently have a 7 year old gelding that is very very green. When I bought him as a late 2 year old, he’d had about 20 rides. 3 year old year, he was sent to the trainer, and injured his knee…time off. I also got pregnant. His 4 year old year, I had a baby in January, that summer he injured his face…bad. More time off. 5 year old year finally sent him off to the trainer….a week before he came home, I tore my MCL…once healed I rode him for another 30 days. Last year, he’s 6…we sold our house, he had to be boarded, and all our energy went into buying a house. Fast forward now….we bought a house in October, finally settled…he’s not injured, I’m not injured or pregnant, so can FINALLY start him up again. Now, I did ride him on and off over the last 2 years…last summer, etc..some…so he didn’t sit for that long..but it wasn’t consistent.
Now that I’m finally in a position to get him going….he’s developed a bucking problem on the lunge line. Tried a few things to see what was wrong….was he fresh? Sore? Trying to get outta work? Ect. I did narrow it down to it being my saddle…so got him chiro’d, found a better fitting saddle, etc. did a few more weeks of lunging to make sure all was good…he’s good…time to get on him…BUT…how do I get the picture of him bucking out of my mind!!!
Its TIME to get on him…lunging isn’t doing much…he needs ridden…but when I saw he bucked, I mean he BUCKED on the lunge…head down between his legs, back arched, all four feet jumping off the ground bucked. He hasn’t bucked with me on him..but…if he does…knowing HOW hard he bucked on the lunge line..oh man…LOL. Now I could be worrying for nothing..he might not buck…but…I have this little seed of doubt yapping in my ear everytime I think its time…how do you get the confidence to just DO it?
Sending him off to someone isn’t an option right now…Once I get on him, and get him going…I’ll be fine. He’d never bucked with me before…don’t even know if he will…I just have to get the picture of him on the lunge line out of my head…help! Sometimes getting older sucks....just think, over think, think again, etc WAY too much..and I know that is half my battle...my MIND!
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 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | I am a chronic over-thinker but when it comes to bucking you best be safe rather than sorry. I would seek out a person to jump ride him just once or twice to make sure he will be safe. Because worse than getting old is getting hurt again while old and maybe never riding again. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| TurnLane - 2015-06-30 11:04 AM
I am a chronic over-thinker but when it comes to bucking you best be safe rather than sorry. I would seek out a person to jump ride him just once or twice to make sure he will be safe. Because worse than getting old is getting hurt again while old and maybe never riding again.
I agree with TurnLane. That is what I would do. I am an overthinker, too, and I am cautious person by nature. |
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World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA | TurnLane - 2015-06-30 12:04 PM I am a chronic over-thinker but when it comes to bucking you best be safe rather than sorry. I would seek out a person to jump ride him just once or twice to make sure he will be safe. Because worse than getting old is getting hurt again while old and maybe never riding again.
I've tried to find someone to come out and get on him once or twice for me...before I do....cause i'm a big wuss, but I can't.
So unfortunately, its me or no one right now.... |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| I am facing the same problem you are! I have an 8 year old mare that got started as a 2/3 year old, sat until last fall for various reasons and she was at a trainer all winter. Then I got her home and the rain came, so she's sat for 2 months because I didn't have a place to ride. So frustrating. She is a bucker - never with me on her, but in the pasture or roundpen she bucks so hard she scares the crap out of me! It's intimidating for me to get on her, even though she has literally been PERFECT every time I've ridden her. I just need to get it out of my head, which is proving to be more difficult then I ever imagined. |
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 Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | Suck it up buttercup! 
If he had a reason to buck like a bronco and that reason no longer exists, odds are he won't buck again. Put something on his face that you can really get a hold of him with and long trot til he's really good and tired. Then keep his head up and lope off! You can do it!!!  |
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Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | BRcwgrl81 - 2015-06-30 11:08 AM TurnLane - 2015-06-30 12:04 PM I am a chronic over-thinker but when it comes to bucking you best be safe rather than sorry. I would seek out a person to jump ride him just once or twice to make sure he will be safe. Because worse than getting old is getting hurt again while old and maybe never riding again. I've tried to find someone to come out and get on him once or twice for me...before I do....cause i'm a big wuss, but I can't.
So unfortunately, its me or no one right now....
I think you need to ask around. Although I am a chronic over-thinker, I am as much so a solutions provider. There is always someone. You need to network to find a handy kid or man/cowboy and offer to pay them $25 bucks for 30 min of their time. Run a craigslist ad or ask at your feed store. Ask on here- someone has to know someone in your area- I promise you, there is someone. |
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World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA | MissouriJen - 2015-06-30 12:11 PM I am facing the same problem you are! I have an 8 year old mare that got started as a 2/3 year old, sat until last fall for various reasons and she was at a trainer all winter. Then I got her home and the rain came, so she's sat for 2 months because I didn't have a place to ride. So frustrating. She is a bucker - never with me on her, but in the pasture or roundpen she bucks so hard she scares the crap out of me! It's intimidating for me to get on her, even though she has literally been PERFECT every time I've ridden her. I just need to get it out of my head, which is proving to be more difficult then I ever imagined.
Glad Im not alone!!!
Streaker bucks like a bronc in the pasture also!! And boy...he can give an NFR horse a run for his money. Haha....
I just have to get my big girl panties on, and get on him...go slow, be as safe as I can...expect the unexpected, and be ready to bail if I have to! Way easier said than done.... |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | Have a game plan(from the moment you throw a halter on him)........if your goal that day is to just get on walk a couple circles....overthinking (and getting stressed) on one specific thing makes us forgot on what we need to do with them to make it a useful session. |
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World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA |
Jess...come up to PA...solution to my problem! 
I know...I know...i need to just DO it..but you know me...my brain does NOT want to shut off...haha...
Off topic...How far from Daytona Beach are you???
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World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA | TurnLane - 2015-06-30 12:13 PM BRcwgrl81 - 2015-06-30 11:08 AM TurnLane - 2015-06-30 12:04 PM I am a chronic over-thinker but when it comes to bucking you best be safe rather than sorry. I would seek out a person to jump ride him just once or twice to make sure he will be safe. Because worse than getting old is getting hurt again while old and maybe never riding again. I've tried to find someone to come out and get on him once or twice for me...before I do....cause i'm a big wuss, but I can't.
So unfortunately, its me or no one right now....
I will NOT let a kid on him, just in case. If a kid got hurt...I just couldn't handle that...even an older kid.
I am still asking around, talking to friends, trainers, etc...trust me, if I can find someone to come out and get on him once or twice, I will...but, in the meantime, I have to move forward with him. |
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Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | Well I am older and when I say kid, I mean like a 18-20 year old "kid"- no way did I mean a child :) |
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Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | BRcwgrl81 - 2015-06-30 12:16 PM Jess...come up to PA...solution to my problem!
I know...I know...i need to just DO it..but you know me...my brain does NOT want to shut off...haha...
Off topic...How far from Daytona Beach are you???
Hehe... yes we've met.
I love the ones that buck a little. Bubba warped me for life. Work on that Positive Mental Attitude then just do it. The first step will be the hardest then everything else is downhill. I betcha $5 he doesn't set a foot wrong.
Google says 3.5 hrs. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | Use something stronger, bitwise, than you need. Be soft with your hands. Make sure you are knowledgeable in a one rein stop. And learn to pull your feet out fast for a quick dismount.
My 5 year old felt good a few weeks back. He has never offered to buck, but apparently the cloudy, cool, stormy weather was more than he could handle. He showed me how hard he could buck. Rode a few jumps, got my feet out, and launched off as he was mid jump. Propelled me up. Landed on my knees from 8 feet up. LOL, but aside from some bruised knees and a knot in my calf muscle, I was unscathed. Had to suck it up and finish my ride. It's hard. But if you don't just take a chance and do it, you will never want to. |
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World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA | TrackinBubba - 2015-06-30 12:20 PM BRcwgrl81 - 2015-06-30 12:16 PM Jess...come up to PA...solution to my problem!
I know...I know...i need to just DO it..but you know me...my brain does NOT want to shut off...haha...
Off topic...How far from Daytona Beach are you???
I love the ones that buck a little. Bubba warped me for life. Work on that Positive Mental Attitude then just do it. The first step will be the hardest then everything else is downhill. I betcha $5 he doesn't set a foot wrong.
Google says 3.5 hrs.
LOL..if it was just a little buck, i wouldn't be worried..haha...
This isn't a little buck...he means business...on a lunge line..LOL...
But I know...I KNOW! LOL...Laura tells me the same thing....doubt he'll do anything once I"m on him....
Hmmmm....I'll be in Daytona beach in 2.5 weeks....come down and visit! :) |
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World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA | TurnLane - 2015-06-30 12:20 PM Well I am older and when I say kid, I mean like a 18-20 year old "kid"- no way did I mean a child :)
I knew you didn't mean a child. No worries...I'd still feel bad even if a kid got hurt... :)
I need a big burly cowboy type to get on him! Haha... |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | i have had quite a few that bucked hard in the pasture but not that interested in it under saddle. BUT i alwasy allowed them to have thier play time a couple times a week. I don't like them to buck on the lounge line. i will free lounge them in the round pen and let them buck. or turn out and play a chase game. absolutely no bucking with saddle on |
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World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA | Ok, for those of you saying to have more bit wise than I need...what do you recommend? In the past i'd been using a snaffle.... |
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World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA | kwanatha - 2015-06-30 12:25 PM i have had quite a few that bucked hard in the pasture but not that interested in it under saddle. BUT i alwasy allowed them to have thier play time a couple times a week. I don't like them to buck on the lounge line. i will free lounge them in the round pen and let them buck. or turn out and play a chase game. absolutely no bucking with saddle on
He's out 24/7....never stalled, so he has all the play time he wants.
I do not have a round pen, so cannot free lunge.
On the lunge line he is saddled... |
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | How about hauling into a colt starter or someone of that nature. Even if you plan a weekend where you can haul in friday night and stay til sunday afternoon so you can get a few rides in on one trip. That should not be too expensive to do. |
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| Go get on him!! I know you can bail fast if I can ou can! Just ask Laura how fast I flew off Cruzer when he took a step forward!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | And this.
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | My 5 year old is still pretty green mentally, although she rides like a broke horse with an occasional hop when you first lope her. She was broke at 3 because she was seriously injured as a 2 year old, and then hurt herself badly twice last year when she was 4, so I didn't get as much time on her as I should have. Anyway, she got scared and bolted last winter then swallowed her head and made a serious effort to buck me off. I told her if she wanted to act like a 2 year old instead of the 5 year old she is, I could darn sure treat her like one.
So for a couple of weeks, I saddled her every morning and left her tied for 6 hours or so before working her. Then I would pony her, drive her, or free lunge her in the roundpen before stepping on. If she was good, I would quit with a few circles. If she wanted to be stupid, I got after her and made her move her feet faster. I have gradually done more riding with less prep, got something on her head I can get her with if needed (it's actually not much, a 3 piece dutton with bob loomis shanks and the reins hooked to the bit rings instead of the shanks), and I don't let her get sticky feet. It has taken a while, but I'm starting to trust her again after 5 months. I have probably been more cautious than I needed to be, but she scared the poop out of me when she almost bucked me off. I have never actually stayed on before when one bucked that hard and didn't want to try my luck again. LOL |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | BRcwgrl81 - 2015-06-30 9:28 AM kwanatha - 2015-06-30 12:25 PM i have had quite a few that bucked hard in the pasture but not that interested in it under saddle. BUT i alwasy allowed them to have thier play time a couple times a week. I don't like them to buck on the lounge line. i will free lounge them in the round pen and let them buck. or turn out and play a chase game. absolutely no bucking with saddle on He's out 24/7....never stalled, so he has all the play time he wants.
I do not have a round pen, so cannot free lunge.
On the lunge line he is saddled...
well then lounge naked first and get some bucks out then saddle and do not tolerate the bucking with the saddle on. when he knows the difference then you should be able to step on
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Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | well then lounge naked first and get some bucks out then saddle and do not tolerate the bucking with the saddle on. when he knows the difference then you should be able to step on
 Does lounging your horse naked really help him to stop bucking? Probably scares the crap right out of them. They will do anything to see you put your clothes back on??? |
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World 4D Champ
Posts: 28264
Location: PA | ajs2002 - 2015-06-30 3:04 PM well then lounge naked first and get some bucks out then saddle and do not tolerate the bucking with the saddle on. when he knows the difference then you should be able to step on
Does lounging your horse naked really help him to stop bucking? Probably scares the crap right out of them. They will do anything to see you put your clothes back on???
No sure how my neighbors would feel about this!!!!!!  |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Set yourself as best you can. Don't lunge to him out or get the buck out - lunge to get his mind. Get his mind and you'll get his feet.
Don't get on until he tells you he's ready and he tells you that you have his mind and his total focus is on you. Otherwise you're just wasting your time and putting yourself at risk.
Make sure he's soft enough that you can get his head around without having to pull..
When you ride, keep that nose tipped to the inside. You can get a jump on one if you ride them in a big circle with their nose tipped in.
Pay attention to how his body feels. They'll tell you they're going to buck long before they do and when they do change directions and interrupt that thought.
Make sure you relax so he relaxes. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| Glad I am not alone in this, also had a baby and had to put my goals for starting my equine baby on hold. Not good since this horse can twist and turn as he bucks like a pro rough stock horse, and has the speed and turn of a cutter or NFR caliber barrel horse. Umm...yeah. Not so confident swinging a leg over him. And the sad thing is that back in the day I used to show up at all these places with my itty-bitty english saddle and ride all these rank rogues and be first up ever on a horse's back. This guy is now at a trainer who has advised me that while very promising this is a horse that you CANNOT give a day off. Glad to know I'm not the only chicken not riding my horse. Guess something has changed within me and I need to learn to cowgirl up again. Thanks to the OP for being brave and sharing, and thanks for all the advice from the rest of y'all. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| Round pen his ass and get some respect from him, then using the bit you always have jump on with confidence just like you did before. |
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 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | If you have a small corral use it. Or pony him off another horse . Ride out double then mount up on the way back while being ponied. He'll get used to a rider being above then it's no big deal. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | you guys are goof balls!!! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 597
| I can tell you this, my boy looks like Painted Valley when I turn him out. I mean he is rank! I always look at that and say thank GOD he doesn't pull that with me, I'd be out the back door before he landed the first jump. I don't know how to help I just wanted to say you aren't alone lol!!! |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | You aren't alone! My 3 y/o can be just that, a 3 y/o. He bucked with me once, and I stayed on and got him working, but now I don't want to get back on him even though I know I have to. 
He lunges good and has never tried to buck on the end of a lunge line with me, and I can't ever remember him bucking in the pasture. But he had a week of when I pulled this stunt, so I'm really thinking it maybe just a 3 y/o that needs more riding and something to focus on. I tried to keep him ridden 3 days a week, then it got narrowed down to 2 with being really busy at work. I just don't think he's getting enough riding time. I think if he was ridden 3-5 days a week, he would do well, and I'm hoping to find him a home that will give him that riding time he needs or I can "suck it up buttercup" & put my big girl panties on.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2015-07-01 10:54 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | Your confidence will come back - make small, small goals. I have a now 4yo, and have had babies in between him growing up. He had 60 days as a 2yo, then ridden intermittently throughout the summer. I got pregnant, he sat. I was scared to get back on. He's not rank, but he's a nutball when he wants to be.
I'd lunge him, finish good, tie him up for an hour before putting him back for a few days, maybe a week the first time that I was ready to ride him after a while.
Then, after lunging I got on and flexed him, rode at a walk in smaller circles and figure 8s, giving him something to think about. Call it a day if you feel good about it. Small, small goals until you feel more confident with him - and yes, be ready to bail, although you probably won't have to :).
This year, my 4yo does buck some under saddle if he goes into a lope too quickly when we start riding. I can ride through it - and there have been times when he has tried to get more aggressive, but some of it is because I've found my confidence again (knock on wood!) and riding him more then years past, and overall he's doing great.
I hope it all works out for you!! |
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