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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
 
| star1218 - 2014-08-26 9:30 AM
SuckerForHorses - 2014-08-26 8:00 AM star1218 - 2014-08-25 4:24 PM I think you are making a lot of excuses for him BUT I tend to do the same. With that said, something you could try would be transition work. Lope him, trot him, stop, back, trot, lope, extend the lope, soften back to slower gaits and then smooch him up again. Let him open up in very short bursts and ease him down. Keep it very controlled. Maybe this would help him see it as work and not a free-for-all runaway situation.
IDK horses like this tick me right off and I've got something similar IÂ deal with so I should take my own advice. Â Making excuses for him? I see it as the opposite, the only "excuse" he has is that I think he's just being a dink. I know he needs to be WORKED, other than just riding the p*ss out of him until he's ready to keel over, I was wondering if there were any training exercises that would help me. That being said, I did the exercise you describe last night...loped on contact up the road, then would kiss and squeeze to sprint him faster, then I would bring him back down to either a controlled lope on contact or a trot, and then I would kiss and push him into a sprint. We did this quite a few times and after the 3rd or 4th time, he was sprinting without issue. Definitely wanted to GO! but with his ass down where it belonged! I think this exercise will be very helpful. As far as working that exercise in the arena, my plan is to NOT set up a pattern, but instead lope him and randomly ask for the sprinting, and then bring him back down, sprint, then back down. I think the randomness of this exercise will help him figure out that it doesn't matter WHERE I'm asking him to sprint in the ring, it's still work.
I didn't mean to offend by saying you were making excuses for him - I just meant like you said - If he is being a dink there should be no excuse for that! Â
And thank you for your suggestion! It helped validate that the plan I thought up in my head was a good place to start with confirmation from someone else that is what they would do!  | |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
  
Location: Riding Crackhead. | If you've ruled out everything else and as you say you know him like the back of your hand then the next time he pulls that crap you need to over and under his butt so he knows its not some cute little game. There are no exercises to get a horse to quit bucking. Its discipline, wet saddle blankets and you being in control. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 238
| It's not unusual that a well bred, fit horse will show their "excitement" by kicking up their heels. And it can be because they are fresh, in pain, confused, scared, ticked off etc.
As long as pain is not an issue, I've found that a newbie will do it for a couple of simple reasons. 1, common, is that they are figuring out how to use their body and feet and if they got through something that was tricky and they are back on solid footing, they express themselves this way. 2, Same with one that doesn't know how to run. Oh sure, they all know how to run in pasture, but to learn how to run and handle a rider etc. It's a learning experience.
Most will "grow" out of it. Your job is to be sure you set them up for successful turns, don't ask for more than they are ready for, don't ask for speed if they slip or have a rough turn. 2, slowly ask/allow for speed without hauling butt, until they learn how to go from turn to straight and stretch out. 3, they get their butt in trouble for bucking. Rip those suckers around and start spinning, galloping tiny circles, back up hard etc. and then go RIGHT back into the exact job they were doing when you had to take a break. I don't ignore it and keep going, that just teaches them it's ok to do. I also don't quit the job I was asking for, we just take a break for disciplinary action.
But yes, most learn eventually the difference between work on the pattern and goofing off. You just need to be confident and ready for it. If it's predictable and rideable, I don't feel they are a "dirty rotten bucker" that needs to be sent down the road. This coming from one who has sent buckers down the road and who won't tolerate/ride a bucker. | |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | Sounds to me like your horse needs to go back to some ground work. Respect starts on the ground and I think its something that a lot of people overlook and don't take seriously. I know i've been lax on it in the past and its got me into trouble. I don't tolerate any sort of bucking or rearing for that matter under saddle. If they get squirrely (because I didn't do my homework of getting them respectful on the ground) I get off and do ground work to gain their respect back.
I'd start there to see if he does it. If he does then I'd discipline him. Mine don't get to play on the end of the lunge line. It is not a place where they burn off excess energy, it is a place to move their bodys to gain respect and soften the mind. That process, believe it or not, wears them out.
Who knows he may not even do it if you get his respect back on the ground. If he does and you think your ground work is pretty dang good then I'd make sure I have some safety buttons in place, like a one rein stop, that if he does go to humping, I can redirect those feet. Then he would get a licken:) Be safe in the process and good luck.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
| We have an excellent one-rein stop installed, that was one of the very first things when I started riding him as a 3 y.o.
I'm going to haul to the arena tonight and work on two things: the sprinting, which I think will be a good exercise, and being THE BOSS if any shenanigans are pulled while sprinting.  I'll report back!
Thanks all! | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
| So Tuesday night I rode at the arena and just did some loping and sprinting exercises. Did not set up the actual pattern but did use two barrels for some of the work.
Did some controlled collected loping, then along the long sides of the arena, kissed and sprinted to the other end, then brought back to controlled collected lope for a few circles on the short side, until he was relaxed, then sprinted out of the circle down the long end again, collected lope on the short end again, until calm and relaxed, then sprinted back to the other end. Repeated a few times. He was good, caught on that it wasn't about RACING like an idiot to the other end because when he got there, he didn't get to stop working, he was expected to keep going and the collected lope helped to keep him focusing on work and not just running.
Then because I wanted him to work on the sprint out of an actual barrel turn, but don't want him to get hot on an actual pattern, I set up 2 barrels, one on each end of the arena, and I worked on a figure 8 pattern around them. I hustled him around the barrel and up out of the barrel, then loose rein to the next one, hustle around and out, loose rein to the next one. I think someone else mentioned that some green horses on the pattern get a little foot loose when they start really pushing up out of those turns, so I wanted him to work on being able to hustle the turn, but not always getting to race home (where the excitement comes in).
Tomorrow I am going to do the same, but I am going to ask him to hustle between the barrels. I think again, when he has to hustle home, but not really "home" because I'm going to turn another barrel with him, its not so much fun running and kicking up his heels when the work doesn't stop at the other end.
Also, trail rode with a friend last night. Did some cantering out on a trail, nothing fast, not really good footing for that. But then on the way home, after I parted ways with my friend, we have a long gradual hill. I asked for a canter, he picked it up nice and respectful, and he felt good (he's usually the type that you can tell when he has shenanigans up his sleeve within a few strides). Last night he picked it up calm, nice and rhythmic, so I asked for faster, and he did very respectfully, so I gave him the reins and I kissed and squeezed and he WENT! Without any ill manners. He ran and he ran clean. At the top of the hill, I just sat deep, said "easy" and he came right back to a walk and we walked home.
I'm feeling good about our progress.
A lot of the progress has to do with getting my balls back this year   | |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | A lot of the progress has to do with getting my balls back this year
Haha! That my dear is what I was trying to say, but in a nice "politicaly correct" manner!
Good for you! Ride like you mean it and are in charge!
Kids and horses will get away with as much as they are allowed! | |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | SuckerForHorses - 2014-08-28 8:52 AM So Tuesday night I rode at the arena and just did some loping and sprinting exercises. Did not set up the actual pattern but did use two barrels for some of the work. Did some controlled collected loping, then along the long sides of the arena, kissed and sprinted to the other end, then brought back to controlled collected lope for a few circles on the short side, until he was relaxed, then sprinted out of the circle down the long end again, collected lope on the short end again, until calm and relaxed, then sprinted back to the other end. Repeated a few times. He was good, caught on that it wasn't about RACING like an idiot to the other end because when he got there, he didn't get to stop working, he was expected to keep going and the collected lope helped to keep him focusing on work and not just running. Then because I wanted him to work on the sprint out of an actual barrel turn, but don't want him to get hot on an actual pattern, I set up 2 barrels, one on each end of the arena, and I worked on a figure 8 pattern around them. I hustled him around the barrel and up out of the barrel, then loose rein to the next one, hustle around and out, loose rein to the next one. I think someone else mentioned that some green horses on the pattern get a little foot loose when they start really pushing up out of those turns, so I wanted him to work on being able to hustle the turn, but not always getting to race home (where the excitement comes in ). Tomorrow I am going to do the same, but I am going to ask him to hustle between the barrels. I think again, when he has to hustle home, but not really "home" because I'm going to turn another barrel with him, its not so much fun running and kicking up his heels when the work doesn't stop at the other end. Also, trail rode with a friend last night. Did some cantering out on a trail, nothing fast, not really good footing for that. But then on the way home, after I parted ways with my friend, we have a long gradual hill. I asked for a canter, he picked it up nice and respectful, and he felt good (he's usually the type that you can tell when he has shenanigans up his sleeve within a few strides ). Last night he picked it up calm, nice and rhythmic, so I asked for faster, and he did very respectfully, so I gave him the reins and I kissed and squeezed and he WENT! Without any ill manners. He ran and he ran clean. At the top of the hill, I just sat deep, said "easy" and he came right back to a walk and we walked home. I'm feeling good about our progress. A lot of the progress has to do with getting my balls back this year
I haven't read through all the responses but the drill setting up the 2 barrels at each end of the arena sounds like a neat one. Hang in there.
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 Expert
Posts: 2154
Location: USA | When my gelding wanted to start speeding up on his own, he would buck/crow hop on the way home too. I think with all the people and other horses, he was getting excited and a little too cocky. He only did it for a few shows and quit. Good Luck to you. I know it can be frustrating. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
| LMS - 2014-08-28 10:00 AM
A lot of the progress has to do with getting my balls back this year
Haha! That my dear is what I was trying to say, but in a nice "politicaly correct" manner!
Good for you! Ride like you mean it and are in charge!
Kids and horses will get away with as much as they are allowed!
Well when he was 4, he did buck me off. That time, I think he got stung by something because we were out in the field and had been working great, and he FREAKED OUT like something got him, bolted and then started bucking, like bronc style. I came off after about 6, and he continued tweaking out.
That set me back in terms of my confidence, hitting the ground isn't nearly as painless as it used to be!
But the bucking stuff he's done since then, are the cocky excited I want to kick up my heels feel good bucks. But I was hesitant to really push "just in case" he bucked me off again. But we've reached a point where he is turning into a harder worker, and I'm at the point where I'm like "Okay, you're 8, let's do this!"
So, cowgirl up!  | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
| canrunnr - 2014-08-28 10:35 AM
When my gelding wanted to start speeding up on his own, he would buck/crow hop on the way home too. I think with all the people and other horses, he was getting excited and a little too cocky. He only did it for a few shows and quit. Good Luck to you. I know it can be frustrating.
This gives me hope!  | |
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Veteran
Posts: 216
Location: In between 4 ridges | As I have been adding speed to my 11 yr old gelding (first year competing) he does the same thing! I KNOW he isn't in any pain as well. I know when he is FEELING GOOD to expect him to kick up a little on the way home. I believe that he is just telling me that he is liking what he is doing. He hasn't kicked up at all at a race. However when we are practicing he does.
Good luck. | |
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 Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | LMS - 2014-08-28 8:00 AM A lot of the progress has to do with getting my balls back this year
Haha! That my dear is what I was trying to say, but in a nice "politicaly correct" manner!
Good for you! Ride like you mean it and are in charge!
Kids and horses will get away with as much as they are allowed!
Can you send me some. I lost mine somewhere along the way | |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| wyoming barrel racer - 2014-08-28 10:45 AM
LMS - 2014-08-28 8:00 AM A lot of the progress has to do with getting my balls back this year
Haha! That my dear is what I was trying to say, but in a nice "politicaly correct" manner!
Good for you! Ride like you mean it and are in charge!
Kids and horses will get away with as much as they are allowed!
Can you send me some. I lost mine somewhere along the wayÂ
Sounds like a country song... | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330
| Itsme - 2014-08-28 11:56 AM
wyoming barrel racer - 2014-08-28 10:45 AM
LMS - 2014-08-28 8:00 AM A lot of the progress has to do with getting my balls back this year
Haha! That my dear is what I was trying to say, but in a nice "politicaly correct" manner!
Good for you! Ride like you mean it and are in charge!
Kids and horses will get away with as much as they are allowed!
Can you send me some. I lost mine somewhere along the wayÂ
Sounds like a country song...
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