Should I spend time and money on a 20yr old mare who sometimes, throws her head and has twice bucked me off?

Question

I am 39yrs old, grew up riding and always dreamed of having my own horse. I live in an area with horse prop. and was given a horse in Sept 06 from a friend of a friend who said she was a great horse, but did not have time and had not ridden her for 1 yr. IShe is under 15hands, but is a bulldog!! When I first brought her home she resisted the bit and tried to buck me off. I had her teeth floated and learned that she had some mouth issues that may have caused her pain. I also had her shod, but she still trips alot with her front left foot. The vet said she has some athritis and swelling in the ankles, but didn't seem too concerned. He said she was in good health other than her hay belly that slowly coming off with reg exercise. I ride her mostly by myself and it is always a struggle..she wants to go home, at times throws her head and twice has gone into feirce bucking fits.once put me in the ER. I am too old to get hurt and don't know if I should invest anymore time or money on her??

Answer 1

Wow, my heart goes out to you, and even more to the horse. As a certified vet tech, I have become fascinated in horse behavior issues and various methods of handling. You say you are 39 and have experience with riding. How experienced are you with handling behavior difficulties? As you know, a horse that learns early that they can walk on you, WILL.

I personally like a spunky horse. They are usually the smartest. But you need to be safe too. If I were you, I'd do three things:

1) Take some riding lessons from someone really good - not because you need them, but because such a trainer can help you control the horse - can watch you together and give you ideas about handling and what is happening. Getting someone else involved will give you confidence too - you won't be alone in this.

2) Look into yourself. If you are afraid of the horse, she knows it. If you hate her, she knows it. How about just taking her for a walk once in a while, with you on the ground. Do you talk to her a lot? Anything to help you bond, and let her know you like her. A good grooming session goes a long way toward bonding - but you need to do it often.

3) If you haven't, read some good training books for advice. Some really good ones have come out in the last five years that deal with behavioral issues. If she were mine, I'd take her out into a round pen and free lunge her every day for a while - like 15 minutes. (Free lunging - use a lunge whip to move her around and don't have a rope on her. Turn her direction often - you're the boss. Etc.) Again, getting help from a pro trainer would give you ideas too. I would! (When we are too proud to ask a trainer for advice, we only hurt the horse.)

I'm also thinking about horsey thinking - why doesn't she enjoy outings with you? Does the saddle hurt? Is she bored with the route? Does she not like your company (again because she senses you dislike her?) Thinking about the ways in which you can bring her to enjoy outings my help.

I wouldn't give up if she were mine. She's old enough to settle down, and probably pretty smart. But I would commit to taking some definite steps to help her out - such as some sessions with another trainer and you, and your doing some serious study and reading.

Oh, one other idea. . . is she worse when she's in heat? A lot of mares are uncontrollable when in season. Not a lot you can do, but give her space! LOL

Best of luck.

Answer 2

I would invest a little more time into her. Have her vet checked to see if maybe she isnt having ear problems. That can be why she is shaking her head. Have her teeth checked again. (You didnt say how long ago the floating happened). As for the arthritis, either give her Cosequin or give her glycosamine cookies. This will help with the swelling as well. She may be trying to work off excess energy, so lunge her before you ride her. Have a professional trainer look at the fit of your tack. Some horses are super sensitive to ill fitting tack and she may be acting out of pain. When she starts to through a temper tantrum, gather your reins and hold her head up so that she cannot buck. I carry a crop at all times and I suggest the same for anyone. A good sharp crack with the crop can get her attention and she will be startled so she will stop her fit and listen. Dont beat her, just give her a sharp smack. Often times it is the noise that gets their attention as opposed to the smack. I smack my leg and not the horse and they perk right up. Check into getting a farrier who shoes gaited horses. They for some reason, can help a tripper more than any other farrier, unless it is a specialized farrier. You just have to get a shoe that has a lot of support under the heel, have a longer heel and shorter toe. I hope this helps. If this doesnt, send her to a trainer for a few weeks and see how she comes back.

Answer 3

I have a 6 year old mare that used to do the same thing until recently. She was broke as a 2 year old, then tossed into a pasture until i purchased her at 5 years old. So she went 3 years without being touched. She was tripping over her right front,and my farrier concluded that she was "pigeon toed" and slowly angled her feet back to the normal stance. She went into numerous bucking fits, and broke saddles and my bones. This is what I did with her: Every time she bucked me off, I would get right back on her and just sit there so she knew she didn't win, then I would get off and put her in the round pin and make her run laps until she appeared tired. Then I would get back on her, and keep repeating the process until she cooperated. I also found that once I got her away from the barn, she behaved better...it helps if you have someone on another horse showing her that it is OK to leave the barn. As for her throwing her head, try using a tie-down, and that should help with the bucking too. She is 20, and still has a good 6-10 years to live depending on how well she was treated/taken care of previously...so I'd say to keep trying. But if she keeps hurting you, sell her.

Answer 4

Have her checked by a chiropracter and maybe ride with a bitless bridle due to her sensitive mouth. Horses usually buck for 1 of 4 reasons: *they're in pain-you sed she has athritis so maybe get the necessary meds and cooling gel
*they're scared
*they're agitated
* they're over excited

Find out why she's bucking.

I think any horse has great potential and is worth time and money but if you feel she isn't right for you and you can't help her sell her to a good home with experienced people

Answer 5

If you no longer enjoy riding her, I'd say yes it's time to sell her and find a horse you do trust.

I would not keep her if you're not longer feeling the love for her and you're worrying more about money. She could get laminitis tomorrow and cost you $1000+ in vet bills. Or you could get in the habit of not going to see her as often without realizing it, and then she may get sick/injured and nobody notices right away.

If you were to keep her, I'd consult with a new farrier. Sometimes tripping (especially in a breed like a QH) can be from too-long toes and/or unbalanced feet.

20 isn't that old though and the vet sounds like he isn't too worried about retiring her just yet.

Why not sell her and find something more suitable?

Or if you don't want the hassle of selling her, why not donate her to a Non Profit rescue organization and take a tax write-off?

And you might find something more suitable if you contact your areas' rescues. A good rescue will know the horse, have him tested under saddle, and have him up to date on everything... that way you know what you're getting.

(I am biased towards horse nonprofits since I am involved in helping my local one, www.equihab.com)

Best of luck to you!

Answer 6

NO! I am your age and I know how you feel. (I have horses, six, and have had horses for 33 years.)
Sell or give the mare away unless you plan to keep her as a pasture ornament. She has too many issues and is too old to change now. Invest your money and time in a younger, gentle, well-trained horse that is safe and can give you pleasure. This horse is dangerous for you and not worth the investment of time and money. Horse prices are at a tremendous low right now and you should be able to find a suitable horse for you. We don't bounce like we used to, huh?

Answer 7

Its up to you to decide if her personality is something you want to work with. If you like her personality (on the ground, in the pasture, etc) I would definitely recommend keeping her around. I would invest in a good joint supplement and probably in a good "pre-purchase" type veterinary exam to see what exactly you are dealing with physically. Make sure that your vet does a good chiropractic exam as well to make sure that she's not "out" anywhere (they can have alignment issues just as humans can). If he gives her a clean bill of health, I would just treat her as a youngster and "re-start" her. Part of her issues are probably that she got out of the habit, out of shape, and has no work ethic :) A good trainer who's used to restarting "problem" horses would be another good investment. Having adopted an older horse myself, I know how difficult it can be, but I loved my old man's personality, so I was willing to put in the money needed to take care of him. Granted I am younger, and I ride at other places, so he was not my only horse to ride, so I am a bit biased, but just because she's 20 doesn't mean that she doesn't have good time left in her to give to someone who's going to give to her.

PS... My friend just (about a month ago) lost her 33 year old arab cross who was still actively competing until a week before his death. Age is just a number :)

Answer 8

well mare said it all lol but she is probably used to getting away with it and all you can do is keep riding her threw it she might be tripping on purpose i had an older horse that would do it and act like he was hurt so youd get off him then as soon as you put him back in his pen hed take off bucking and snorting and wouldnt limp no more but if you are going to keep her and you want to help the arthritis use msm in her grain and dmso on the joint also try lunging her before you ride for 20 to 30 min to take some of thefight out of her it sounds like she might be barn sour too horses are cheap right now you can find a nice horse at the sales for under 1000 dollars right now hope i was of some help

Answer 9

I'm a horse lover but this mare is going to ruin your passion to ride or atleast make you think twice about it. She is 20 yrs old...who knows her past...a free horse is never really a free horse cuz w/the problems that come w/it will cost you in the long run. Your probably better off having her as a pasture ornament or hand her off to someone else that might be able to deal w/her. Find yourself one that will fit your needs alittle better. There are plenty of horses out there that would appreciate your care.

Answer 10

She is out of the habit of being ridden. Other than her mouth issues, is she easy to tack up? If so, tack her up using a hackamore instead of a bridle, or at least use the gentlest bit you can, then work her on a longe line. Then try riding her for a short time. As you see her settling into the routine of being ridden you will be able to ride her for longer periods of time. This can probably help her 'tripping' problem as longeing is good for balance. And hopefully, it will help build a friendship between the two of you.