We went on a trail ride - I on Cibolo, the BO on the black TB - one of the two horses she's tuning up to sell.
My horse bucked. Five times. (clarification - just one buck, but on 5 separate occassions)
We were trotting and he wanted to canter. I said no. Buck
Didn't matter if we were in the front or the back, way ahead or far behind.
I know why he did it the first few times. He's been cooped up and wanted to run.
But that doesn't really explain the last 3 times. After I say no, that should be enough.
So my question is -- what the hell am I doing on the back of a bucking horse again?
And, more frightening, is it me? Am I turning a horse that was perfectly broke into a bucking horse because I don't want to canter? Can I just not do this? Again?
Husband wants the horse - actually all horses - gone. He thinks this is a lot of money to spend on something that isn't working out for the second time.
I'm pretty low. I don't know what I want anymore.
Here's my comfy, but ugly , saddle.
Here's a a picture of the appaloosa. More on him another time.
12 comments:
Try having him trot around objects, do serpentines, or other jobs. Keeping him busy moving his feet will help him concentrate on something other than loping. When he does try to lope turn him in a tight circle, he can't buck doing that.
Hope some of those things help. Hang in there.
And keep his head up. Poco bucks when he's scared.
I LOVE that Appy. Tell me about him.
Be sure to have you saddle fit checked at the clinic - that could explain the bucking - or perhaps something else is happening on those occasions - ask when you are there.
Bummer. We're they full on, feet up in the air bucks...or more like crowhops?
Do you think he was just being defiant? Or was it just because he was feeling frisky?
Did he buck like he wanted you GONE? Or just like those happy bucks horses do when they feel good?
I'm so sorry. I know just what you're going through. I've asked myself those questions many times since owning my first horse. And I appreciate the comments you left for me on my blog. You truly understand what I've been going through, though I wish neither one of us were having to go through them at all.
I finally severed the ties to my mare last weekend. I'm still reeling and still devastated, still crying whenever her name is mentioned or when I walk outside and she isn't nickering at me or I don't see her up in the barn or paddock.
I miss her so much my heart aches.
But I know that I did the right thing, just like you did with Canyon. My mare wasn't a bad girl, just alpha, opinionated, stubborn, and lazy. Not a good combination for a beginner as you reminded me.
I found some great new owners for her and they love her already, quirks and all. They aren't beginners and have no issues with having to tune her up and make her work again without any sass.
It made me feel good seeing them ride her, and even when she acted up and gave a little buck and tried to run off with them, they laughed and made her work harder. I would have been fearful and nervous and would have dismounted had she done the same thing to me.
We weren't a good match in the saddle at all. And I can't afford a pasture pet right now when she hasn't even earned her keep as a trail horse all along and I'm still paying for all the hospital bills from the injuries she caused me.
Some people I don't think will understand what I had to do and may even try to make me feel guilty for not working with her more. One commenter even told me it could take 4 or more years to train her to become the perefect trail horse.
I don't want to wait that long and by then Baby Doll would be over 20 years old and who's to say she might end up unable to ride the trails by then because of arthritis or bad health?
And all that time I put in her, and I end with an expensive pasture pet after all.
Life is too short to be unhappy. I'm 44 years old this year and my riding time is limited. I don't want to spend my remaining physically fit years allowing a horse to take the joy out of riding for me.
I also can't afford to get hurt again and waste another year healing up from horse related injuries.
I so appreciated your comment you left for me. But also Far Side of Fifty left me a comment obviously from personal experience. You should check it out, too.
Riding is supposed to be fun! Darn Cibolo. I'm sorry he's giving you grief.
Chin up, my friend.
~Lisa
I am so sorry that you are feeling so down about your horse(s). I know that when I have issues with a horses' behavior, I resort to a lesson once or twice a week from an experienced trainer. Sometimes I'll even grab someone a little more daring to hop up for the corrections until I feel confident enough to implement them correctly.
I hope that you don't give up on horses due to Cibolo's bad behavior. I know how tough it is when a horse isn't working out, but there are so many great ones out there. It sounds like you're pretty sad about your situation with Cibolo - if you can't enjoy your time with him and you dread your time in the saddle on him, start the search for a new one - it's okay and so important that you enjoy your horse :).
Just to be able to rule it out, you might try having him checked out by an equine chiropractor to be sure he isn't bucking due to a physical issue.
Mark Rashid tells a story about a horse he got for next to nothing because he bucked at odd moments. Turns out he had several ribs out of place.
Mike's sweet gelding suddenly became fussy about saddling and working and it turned out he also had ribs out of place. It's very common and the cause of many fussy, anxious, problem issues.
Carmon
Move on...Cibolo has demonstrated that he is not the horse for you.
And I like that saddle. I see not a thing wrong with it, if it fits your horse and you like it. I kinda think it looks good, and I'm a little jealous. I have that Abetta synthetic as my guest, throw around saddle, and I don't like it. My guests are usually OK with it, but the few times I've ridden in it, I hate it. Your saddle looks more comfy for sure.
I've ridden ornate Circle Y saddles that I have hated, and plain ones that I love. It's all about comfort. Now if you can find one that's comfy, looks great, and fits your hose, that's the keeper!
Sorry that you are bummed!
I agree with Cactus Jack Spash. Work with him. Give him something interesting to work with. This exact routine worked well for me and Gem and we got to know each other better in the process.
Also, there are two people at my stables that swear by massage therapy and chiropractic adjustments for their horses. Apparently it changed the horse's attitude dramatically.
wait a minute, that saddle isn't ugly at all! it's the kind of thing i'd love to climb up on and ride in all day. and i'm no western rider. it just looks comfy to me, and pretty on a horse.
~lytha
chin up and hang in there...
Sorry you had a bad day. Just remember that's all it is! Maybe you and your husband can have a chat about what's reasonable for both of you b/c you need his support--even if he doesn't get it. In other words, too many horses? ok that can be adjusted. No horses? not ok, because it's part to who you are! Maybe I am saying too much. But I also agree with laying out a plan for your little buckeroo: training, chiro, whatever. If nothing gets better, get a new horse. It's not the end of the world, and you must be safe first.
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