5 Reasons Why Your Horse Bucks When You Ride It

Some of the contributing factors that may cause your horse to buck when you ride it are: a change in environment, feeding, health conditions, equipment used, and your riding approach.

Horses normally buck when a stranger tries to mount it. However, if have been with the horse for a long period of time and have noticed sudden bucking behavior, then try to evaluate the changes that may have happened lately. Understanding the horse's sudden change of behavior and knowing the factors that have contributed to those unexpected behavioral changes are key to riding your horse swafely. Carefully evaluate the given factors below to know the appropriate things to do so you can avoid horseback riding accidents:

Environment

Check if your horse has been ridden or brought outdoors recently. Note the number of hours that your horse spends outside and the number of hours the horse spends indoors. Having your horse stay indoors for a long period of time will affect its behavior. Horses love to stay outdoors where they can gallop freely. It is their exercise, and they love it. Keeping your horse in the stable for too long will make it anxious and irritable which results in bucking when being ridden.

Feeding

Feeding the horse with high quality hay is most important. A horse's energy needs are similar to that of how humans need food to function. Humans cannot do anything very well if we don't eat the right kinds and amounts of food. Horses, too, need nutrients in order for them to stay healthy and maintain their figure. The appropriate quality of food is also vital to the horse's behavior and mood.

Health conditions

Checking the health of your horse is important, too. When you take the time to examine the horse's overall health, you will know whether or not it is in a bad mood. Horses normally misbehave and buck the rider off when it is not feeling well. An irritating body pain, such as tooth decay, will distract the horse because it is very uncomfortable for the horse, especially when being ridden.

Equipment used

Check your saddle to see that it not hurting the horse. If it is uncomfortable for your horse, it will normally duck to express that it is unhappy with the equipment attached to it. Be sure that you check the saddle every time you insert your shoes into it so you can know it fits the horse correctly. The girth should not be tightened too much, as this will also tighten the saddle and the cinch, which is uncomfortable for the horse. Make sure that everything fits the horse well.

Riding approach

Horses normally don't like to be ridden or driven, which makes bucking their common reaction. The horse will only get submissive and allow a person to ride it if it has already adapted to the riding capabilities of the rider. It is important for the rider to learn how to read the horse's thoughts. The more you are around the horse the easier it will be to get a feel them for its instincts and know whether or not it is scared of something. Also, know and teach the horse how to turn according to your command. Train the horse to respond to your tapping signals so it can turn when you want it too.

Practicing and mastering your skills of riding a horse will eventually put you in control every time your horse misbehaves or bucks. Don't forget to be sensitive and mindful to your horse's nutritional needs as well.