Rooster, my bucking bronco-- naughty boy!

montanagirl · 04-29-2007, 08:30 PM

Okay, my 22 year-old gelding really misbehaved today and started to buck while my husband was riding him in the outdoor arena. My hubby was smart and bailed over the side. It wasn't a FULL buck, but it sure was enough of one to make him light in the hind end.

So now I'm freaked out. Let me tell you a few things that might have contributed, and then you can let me know that I was a bad horsey mommy today.

1. He got his teeth extensively worked on five days ago. He wasn't in the bridle with bit, just a rope halter with reins, and he usually does fine with that.

2. I didnt' lunge him ahead of time. We walked down the bridle path, about 1/4 mile, down to the arena. Hubby got on him--hadn't ridden him before but is pretty good on horseback--and I should have known that Rooster was full of beans because he went right into a trot and a lope, which usually takes an act of Congress to get him to do. He bucked about 5 minutes into the ride.

3. It was REALLY windy today and all the horses were acting skittish. The dust was whipping up around his face as he was going around the arena.

4. He hadn't been exercised since his vet visit, and I usually ride him every other day.

But even with all these excuses, I'm really upset that he bucked. Of note, after this happened, I let him to free lunge in this big outdoor arena, and this old man galloped around, tail waiving in the air, faster than I've ever seen him go. (The horse, not my husband!) He also called out to the other horses and was clearly nervous.

What should I do? Should I be worried about this? Is he safe to ride? He was fine with me, BTW, and I rode him after he got his P&V out. But in the INDOOR arena, where the wind wasn't crazy.

SunnyKS · 04-29-2007, 09:50 PM

Sounds like spring fever to me. I think everyones horses have been pretty fruity the last month plus add in that he as been couped up in a stall and

.

BornToRide · 04-29-2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyKS

Sounds like spring fever to me. I think everyones horses have been pretty fruity the last month plus add in that he as been couped up in a stall and

.

Ditto.

pvf · 04-29-2007, 10:07 PM

Spring Fever Yep thats what it is!!!

Mule Fool · 04-30-2007, 08:37 AM

Good to know the old guys feeling good. I wouldn't worry about it that much. the next time you have that type of situation, windy day, horses kind of edgy, a few days lay-off, you might just make sure you lunge him first to work off some steam. You can also use that as a time to maake sure his focus is on you and when he's lunging with a good attitude than you can get on.

**Range** · 04-30-2007, 09:07 AM

Yep, I always lunge my goofy mare first - even if it's only for 5 minutes - just to take a "temperature" so to speak.

All of those circumstances just led to him feeling good and reacting in an inappropriate manner. I'm sure he'll be fine in the future.

04-29-2007, 08:30 PM
montanagirl Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 591	Rooster, my bucking bronco-- naughty boy! Okay, my 22 year-old gelding really misbehaved today and started to buck while my husband was riding him in the outdoor arena. My hubby was smart and bailed over the side. It wasn't a FULL buck, but it sure was enough of one to make him light in the hind end. So now I'm freaked out. Let me tell you a few things that might have contributed, and then you can let me know that I was a bad horsey mommy today. 1. He got his teeth extensively worked on five days ago. He wasn't in the bridle with bit, just a rope halter with reins, and he usually does fine with that. 2. I didnt' lunge him ahead of time. We walked down the bridle path, about 1/4 mile, down to the arena. Hubby got on him--hadn't ridden him before but is pretty good on horseback--and I should have known that Rooster was full of beans because he went right into a trot and a lope, which usually takes an act of Congress to get him to do. He bucked about 5 minutes into the ride. 3. It was REALLY windy today and all the horses were acting skittish. The dust was whipping up around his face as he was going around the arena. 4. He hadn't been exercised since his vet visit, and I usually ride him every other day. But even with all these excuses, I'm really upset that he bucked. Of note, after this happened, I let him to free lunge in this big outdoor arena, and this old man galloped around, tail waiving in the air, faster than I've ever seen him go. (The horse, not my husband!) He also called out to the other horses and was clearly nervous. What should I do? Should I be worried about this? Is he safe to ride? He was fine with me, BTW, and I rode him after he got his P&V out. But in the INDOOR arena, where the wind wasn't crazy. __________________ No hour is ever wasted that is spent in the saddle. --Winston Churchill

04-29-2007, 09:50 PM
SunnyKS Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,517	Sounds like spring fever to me. I think everyones horses have been pretty fruity the last month plus add in that he as been couped up in a stall and .

04-29-2007, 10:07 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,780	Spring Fever Yep thats what it is!!! __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

04-30-2007, 08:37 AM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	Good to know the old guys feeling good. I wouldn't worry about it that much. the next time you have that type of situation, windy day, horses kind of edgy, a few days lay-off, you might just make sure you lunge him first to work off some steam. You can also use that as a time to maake sure his focus is on you and when he's lunging with a good attitude than you can get on.

04-30-2007, 09:07 AM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,898	Yep, I always lunge my goofy mare first - even if it's only for 5 minutes - just to take a "temperature" so to speak. All of those circumstances just led to him feeling good and reacting in an inappropriate manner. I'm sure he'll be fine in the future. __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.