My horse is acting up with an attitude while riding. Why?

Question

My horse is acting up with an attitude while riding. Why?
Today my horse was being a dufus. I thought forsure i was gonna get bucked off even though she is the calmest horse ever. What do you think could have been wrong just today?

She was running side ways and wouldnt run straight.

She was banging her head and chewing on her bit.

It was windy, but its always windy here and shes never been like this before.

I moved her to a new place 2 weeks ago and this was the first time i rode her since. Does that have anything to do with it?

How do you know when a horse is about to buck. How can you stop him when you know he's going to?

I dont use spurs because i think its a little harsh.
Would start using them help


Any help from a horse expert with an answer to any of these questions would be greatly appretiated.

Answer 1

Has her diet changed since the move? Is she getting a grain that has more protein or sugar? Is she eating alfalfa? If so, it might be an issue of her being "hot" from the food she's ingesting, which (rather than a discipline problem) can be fixed with minimal effort.

Answer 2

She probably needs to get used to the new riding environment if she's a green horse. You didn't say how long she'd been under saddle or how old she was. Be calm with her, walk her on a halter around the area you'll be riding her at. Feed her treats. Competitive riders often do this at shows for different arenas so the horses aren't spooked by a strange environment.

If you don't feel comfortable riding a horse that might buck or you aren't a skilled enough rider to do so, stop riding her until she's bomb-proof. Have a trainer come ride her or take her to a clinic where you can learn how to prevent spooking and bucking.

Another possibility is she might have a medical problem and riding could be seriously hurting her. She needs to be checked by a vet before you ride her again. If something is wrong with her back everytime you ride her could make it worse.

It could also be the way the tack is fitting her. Did you get a new saddle or a bit?

Spurs won't help if she's already a sensitive horse and you shouldn't use them if you don't know what you're doing. Spurs would probably make the problem worse.

Answer 3

When a horse is going to buck the head goes down. Horse can't buck when you pull their head back up. Sitting back helps too.

If your horse is normally well behaved, I'd figure it was the new environment. Don't bother with the spurs since this was the first time she's ever acted up. Try to figure out why she's acting up first and fix that. Did you change anything else other than the new place? Were you riding in an arena or out on the trails? Could she have seen something strange on the trail?

Is there someone at the new place that can watch you ride her and offer advice?

Answer 4

It might just be that she was feeling good. You said this is the first time you've ridden her in about 2 weeks, it was windy, and probably cool outside and she was in a new place, so she may have just had a lot of energy and playfulness. I had a mare that I despised riding in the late fall when it was windy and cold. I could pretty much bet that she would have a bucking fit at some point during the ride. If the problem continues then it may be something more serious. But I'd just give her some time to adjust to the surroundings and make sure she gets tons of exercise.

Answer 5

It sounds like you answered your own question there... new place, cooler windy weather, your nerves. Horses all get giddy when it gets cool and wind, whether they're used to it or not can make them fidgety! You asked how you know when a horse is going to buck, this tells me you were nervous up there which your horse can also sense. I wouldn't use spurs, I'd just keep taking her on short rides, even just leading her around till she calms down or lunging her before you ride so she's a little worn out. just hold onto the horn of your saddle if your western and try not to be scared, chances are if you give in and get off or don't ride as often because of her attitude today she'll keep it up, so go back and act like nothing happened!

Answer 6

Check your saddle pad. When I was young and dumber, I had a splinter in mine one time and didn't realize it until I was pulling the tack off. Unfortunately, that was after he threw me.
You said it's only been 2 weeks since you moved her. Horses are prey animals in the wild. They have to have time to adjust to new situations because of the ingrained fear of predators. At this point, everything is being perceived as a threat. Spend some time walking her around in the new area, not for just an hour but several days. Let her explore and get comfortable with the new sights, sounds and smells. Until she seems completely comfortable walking the area where you were exercising her, find someplace closer to the stables to exercise. Not always easy, but most horses I've worked with feel more comfortable closer to the stable.
Definitely have a vet check her ears, eyes and teeth. Better to catch a problem early if there is one.
Manny used to buck at random times. I broke him of it by pulling him around to the right every time I felt him start to bunch up. Just grap the right rein closer to the bit and pull her head as far around as you can without hurting her. It'll make her turn in choppy circles but she'll be too busy following her head to buck. Do it every time she starts to bunch up and tell her a firm no. Eventually she'll get the idea that she isn't going to be allowed to buck. Because you say she's normally calm, this shouldn't take more than a couple of times for her to understand.
I don't think spurs are going to help you at all in this case. I recommend you don't use them at all unless they are part of your dress for a show. Too many people use them as a crutch instead of correcting the problem.

Answer 7

Check your tack!! Girth fit, saddle fit, bridle fit.

Get her teeth checked!!

It has to be one of these problems. If a once docile and calm horse suddenly starts acting out for no apparent reason, 9 times out of 10 it's a physical problem.

Don't use spurs or a crop, because then you are just punishing her for trying to tell you that she is in pain. I'd contact your vet as soon as you can and get them to come out and take a look at your horse and watch her behavior when she's saddled and ridden.

A way to tell yourself if your horse has back pain: With three fingers, place them an inche or two to the side of your horse's spine near the withers. Run your fingers down the length of your horse's back drawing an imaginary line paralell with your horse's spine. Keep even, but firm pressure. Go all the way down the spine and over the hip, stopping mid haunches. If your horse at any time dips his back (it's called hollowing), or swishes his tail and tries to move away from the pressure, then your horse has back pain. Do it on both sides.

If your horse doesn't exhibit any back pain when you do this, then it could still be your horse's teeth or even leg pain, like arthritis. Since it is getting colder arthritic joints can be inflamed.

Good luck!

Answer 8

could be lots and lots of reasons. how does your saddle fit? maybe you're riding differently since you've moved. or maybe she's just acting up because you took a break from riding. what's she been eating since moving? is she on alfalfa? what time did you ride her at?

carefully evaluate your behavior, and the differences between the last ranch and the new one. you might find out what it is.

usually when a horse is going to buck, his head will lower and you can feel his body tensing up. like a huge spring underneath you. but a horse can buck instantly without much warning, so you can't always be sure.

oh! DON'T use spurs unless you know how to. with your horse being upset already it would be silly to use them if you aren't very experienced with them.

Answer 9

Unless she is just spooked from being in an unfamiliar environment she may have been pinched by the girth or have another tack problem. Or she may have a problem with her ear (you mentioned it was windy) If she has an ear problem the wind may be bothering it. Or she may have dental problems - chewing the bit.

Familiarize her with her new environment by walking her around. Check your tack and if all that checks our and she continues her behavior have her vet checked.

I can always tell when a horse is going to buck by the big hump he gets in his back. A horse will usually throw his head down just as his rear is coming up to buck. As he cannot buck when you are holding his head up, as soon as you feel him start to throw his head down snatch his head back up again. You can also do a one rein stop by pulling his head around to your stirrup. He has to follow his nose plus it gives him something else to think about besides bucking.

Good luck.

Answer 10

The new place and surroundings plus the high winds probably have her all wound up. I'd work with her on less windy days until she feels more confident about her new home.

Do NOT use spurs especially to stop bucking!!! Spurs are designed to refine & reinforce the leg aides, they're not for correction.

Keep her head up and her mind focused on you.