Re: time to sell?Opinions please!

nope, he's fine. He's never been lame or had any injuries before.

Re: time to sell?Opinions please!

okay, I'll try and get the vet out and see what they say. We've had his saddle fitted already.

Last time the dentist was out he said that murphy's mouth was ok, but he's due to see my other pony again sometime soon so I'll get him to have a look then. 

My instructor seems to think it's because as a youngster he wasn't disciplined and was allowed to get away with bucking- I spoke to a girl who loaned him just after he had been broken-in and she said she had to give him up because of his bucking and because he was so unpredictable. Then the person who had him after that (the disabled girl) also had to sell him because he kept bucking her off (although I was told they were selling him because she was moving onto bigger horses!) Hmm I'm definitely going to have to see what the vets say!

Re: time to sell?Opinions please!

You poor thing, trust me I know from recent experience.  My horse bucked when he didn't want to do something.  Eventually, I'd lost my nerve and had to send him away to be re-started.  It sounds like you've done all that though.

If all your physical checks come back ok, would you be able to make a dummy to ride him?  I'm sure you've done this already, but if he bucks with that on just let him knacker himself out.  Once he accepts his new 'rider' without hassle, you could perhaps start riding him in a round pen/school but always make it a pleasant experience.  If you're not confident about being able to ride out any bucks get someone who can cling on like a limpet.  With my horse, the answer was not to stop him bucking but to take away the reward for doing it (stopping work).  I also had a go on a bucking machine which helped me enormously.  I've only had 2 experiences of him bucking since and both times he stopped very quickly when he realised I was just going to make him work harder for it.

I'm sure all of that is old news to you, but it's all I have to offer I'm afraid!!

Whatever you do, best of luck to you and Murphy.

Re: time to sell?Opinions please!

I had a similar problem a few years ago with a horse I had, and I tried all manner of things including sending him away for professional schooling to no avail.  He just thought it was fun, and always liked to do it in canter.  I bought a buckstop from www.stopthathorse.com and it was almost instant cure.  I lunged him in it and when he tried to assume the position he found he couldn't and that was the end of it - I only had to use it twice and it literally stopped him in his tracks.  As others have said though you need to eliminate any possibility of a physical cause first, maybe even get an equine physio out to him as well as getting his tack and teeth assessed, there could be something there that only a physio could find that even a vet might not pick up on.

Re: time to sell?Opinions please!

I hink too many people use the excuse of pain, I agree he could be in pain but it sounds like to me that he knows now that he can get you off and is being a monkey. I would get someone experienced to school him for you i mean yor trainer using loads of different techniques doesnt sound great, a real horse person will use consistence to let your horse know that this behaviour is not acceptable, good luck with him                       *duskyteddy* said:

 I think you're wrong to dismiss pain. Have you had the vet out since this bucking has started? He could be changing shape and his tack could be uncomfy. He's only been doing a few weeks, so give him a chance. At the end of the day, he could have a tooth coming through, could be unhappy with you riding him, saddle may not fit, abcess- who knows. I'd advise you get the thorough checks. 

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