AboutDorothy Morris-Robinson Expertise I have been training and rehabilitating horses, and training riders for combined training for over 40 years, in Virginia and California. This includes dressage, cross country obstacles and show jumping. Years ago I earned my colors with the Blue Ridge Hunt Club in VA. I currently train and teach at my ranch in Agua Dulce, CA. I can answer certain questions about starting young horses in English riding: dressage, jumping, cross country obstacles and basic equitation. I can help with rehabilitation of spoiled or difficult horses; however, many problems require sustained riding instruction/training and I cannot do this online. Some issues need to be observed to come to a correct diagnosis. If your problem is of this type, please find a qualified instructor/trainer. I cannot give riding lessons via email.
Experience Experience in the area: Over 40 years of English riding experience, including Fox Hunting in Virginia, training young horses for hunting and/or eventing. Coached Desiree Smith from her beginning at Training Level Combined tests through her competition at two Junior International competition Three Day Events. She rode my horse that I also started and trained her to ride. This combination competed in the World Championship Three Day in Lexington, KY in 1978. I trained another horse (TB) through 3rd Level Dressage and jumping. He eventually competed at Advanced level Three Day. I recently re-trained a mare that came to me as "unhandleable". She is now with my daughter in WA getting ready for competition. She had had 5 owners within 18 months, each passing her on as "unhandleable". I have reschooled several horses with difficulties ranging from running away to running backward, to not allowing a bridle to be put on, to kicking out at the farrier, being "too much on the muscle over jumps", etc Organizations NSDAR. USDF
Question Hi,
I have a 8 year old paint gelding that I'm trying to sell. He was out to pasture for about 2 years and hadn't been riden since then. I've retrained him and he was doing very well until today...I had some people interested come to see him and he was absoulutely horrible all morning until they got there. I lunged him for almost an hour and a half and then I got on him and he took off and started bucking as he was running and he's never done this before.So when the people got here he did the same thing and put on a huge show.I've trained a lot of horses but I've never had a horse just turn around and want the rider off after being riden for almost a month now with no problems.Also a couple days before a young girl came to see him and she was able to ride him while i lead him around and then today he was horrible !!??How can I fix this and make him quit bucking because I dont trust him anymore, and how can I be sure that it's safe to put another rider on him? Please answer my question ASAP thanks so much
Maxene
Answer Hello Maxene,
This is the classic, recommended way to stop bucking:
Just at the instant that the buck begins, take good hold of the left rein, give slack with the right rein and pull the horse's head around to your left knee. With him in this position, kick him with your left leg and make him spin around on the spot until he is so dizzy that he can hardly stand. Each and everytime that he begins a buck, repeat this exercise. I guess that soon he will figure out that it is much less difficult to go forward nicely, than to do that spin again.
If this works for you, be sure that you put another good rider on and have him do the same if the horse tries it with the new rider, before you put an unknown rider on him.
Good luck and happy riding, and be sure to wear your hard hat.
Dorothy
