Expert: Sarah Lothmann - 2/17/2009

Question
I'm currently riding a 5 year old Quarter Horse mare. She's pretty mellow and doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She does, however have a couple of vices. She has reared over on other riders twice. I believe they were being heavy in the hands and tugging on her mouth which frustrated her. Since the last incident we have been using a tie down. She has never reared with me and I loosen the reins if I feel like she might. The main problem I've been having is bucking. She is an angel and the trot but EVERY time she picks up the canter she bucks. This wouldn't be a huge issue if it wasn't for the manner in which she bucks. She does the back arching, four legs off the ground buck which unseats me every time. I'm yet to fall but it's something I'd like to avoid :). I don't believe she's nervous and I know she likes to canter. (She always tries to pick it up without my asking.) The saddle fits fine, I've ridden her with and without the tie down, with a snaffle and with a hackamore. I'm pretty sure it's just happy bucks. Unless you have another theory? Either way, how should I stop this? I've tried making her stop on a dime when she does it or simply slowing her to a walk or trot. I've also tried pushing her through it. She also does it when longing. Appreciate any advice you have. -Rachael

Answer
Sounds to me that she is for whatever reason uncomfortable or not confident with working in a frame properly.  Her hollowing of her back through the transition and the hops/bucking is making me think that for a long enough time she has been able to go through her transitions improperly.  Now she simply doesn't have the balance and strength  to perform this correctly.  

My suggestion is to lunge her in side reins three times a week.  This way she is only interfering with herself.  This over the period of a few weeks will help her to develop the balance and muscle to carry herself through the transition.  It will help her become more aware of what it feels like to do this properly.  

Additionally try riding her in draw reins.  When you ask her to canter, work on the transition from the halt, the walk, and the collected trot.  After she canters just a few strides return to the collected trot.  The goal here is to work on balance and really strengthen her inside hind leg as it launches the canter.