At my barn, we have a back field and a front field.
We always ride in the front field unless it gets flooded and soppy (which happens a lot) in which case we ride in the back field. Well, I have a hot blooded TB and any TB owner knows that bucks are not uncommon. haha. Wyatt likes to buck for some reason.
Anyhow, for most of the summer we had to ride in the back field because it rains all the time during the summer and the field never dried. So for about 2 months we rode in the back field. And during these two months, I didn’t see ONE buck. Not one. He was like the perfect horse. I’ve never seen him behave so well! I was so happy and I really got to work on some things.
But today we switched back to the front field and he starts bucking! Keep in mind he hasn’t bucked for two months at this point, and when we were riding in the front field before, he bucked almost every lesson. I’m used to riding out bucks by now, they are no big deal, I just prefer that he doesn’t buck, lol. He seems to behave better in the back field. I’m sure its nothing I’m doing because I’ve already asked my trainer.
So I have a few questions.
1. Does anyone else find that their horse’s behave better in certain fields?
2. What can I do to stop the bucking. (My trainer says he’s just being a butt) I ride it out and all, but by the next lesson, hes doing it again. (Oh and he never bucks at shows, just at home).

Just so you have some background on the fields,
The front field, is slightly smaller than the back, but not much, it is by the road, but Wyatt isn’t phased whatsoever by cars (only four wheelers). And there is a lake on one side (which has nothing to do with it) and the rest are surrounded by bushes.

The back field is a little bit nicer. It is huge because it includes a dressage ring and xcountry practice jumps, but the jumping part is not much bigger than the front field, however it is much more open. It has hardly any bushes around it, and is half a mile away from the road. No pond, or anything.

I always choose best answer! Thanks so much!
Please I need help!
Oh and I thought I should add that he only bucks when we start to jump….. but I don’t think its the jumping….
Rae G ~ I always ride it out. I usually canter him until he stops. And then I’ll go to the jump, but then, when I pull him up to take a break, if I ask for canter to jump another course later he starts bucking again and we go through the whole process……I don’t know what to do. Most of the time I ride him at the canter, but if not, then I punish him by making him work at the trot, and really give me an inside bend. The worst punishment for a horse is asking it to work harder right? But usually riding him at the canter solves the problem, for that jumping course……
Hannah ~ hey my name is Hannah too!!!! lol. And I always growl at him when he does it!!!! lol. But I don’t think he cares! haha. I canter him in a tight circle, he just doesn’t respond. I mean he does but it takes a while and then it only lasts for that one round. When I stop and do a different course, he starts bucking and we have to go through it all over again. : /
We’ve already checked fit of the saddle, teeth, any discomfort, there is NOTHING!!!! haha. I’m convinced Wyatt is A) resisting work , B) being an A.SS or C) both.
I know he isn’t in pain, hes just being a butt, so I need to know how I can keep a butt from being a butt! lol. The first warning sign, is a warning buck, and I do what I can to prevent them from coming, but I don’t wanna pull him up because that’s what he wants!!! So that’s why I’m asking. I need to know, how I can keep him from bucking! He’s not in pain, hes just being a butt!
Turn N Burn ~ Thanks. Great answer. But I know my tack fits. We’ve checked everything. I always pick out his hooves before we ride. As far as riding out the buck, I’m pretty much an expert at that now. The other day, Wyatt got spooked when we were walking and he did a total bronco move. All four feet off the ground at once, and my butt didn’t leave the saddle. I’m just so used to it. lol. Its just like cantering for me! haha. I don’t mind riding them out. But I have other things I need to be focusing on. THats why I want this problem fixed.
oh and he was not trained to buck. Hes an OTTB. Raced once, not fast enough, so he was sold to me. Never been trained to buck.
The thing is, there is no getting used to that field. He has ridden there pretty much his whole life!!!! So it isn’t that he isn’t used to it. I’m telling ya’ll, hes just being a butt, I just need to know how to stop him from being an a.ss. haha

Originally posted 2009-09-13 10:09:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter