I have a 4 yr old Quarter Horse mare who is an outstanding athletic. Whenever I release her head at a canter she will do her utmost to buck me off. I returned to the basics to retrain her, started to using a crop, and I had her back and hips examined. The result are basically, I am becoming a super rodeo rider and she is becoming better at bucking. From Ms. Sore Behind!

I give you credit for putting up with your problem. No one should have to put up with a bucking horse.

Horses will always give clues to what they are going to do prior to their action and this includes bucking. You need to start watching or feeling for your horse's clues so you can discourage her to stop.

Bucking is a forward motion so your horse must transfer her weight from her hindquarters to her forehand. To prevent your horse from bucking never allow her to change her weight. If she does change her weight you need to have a cue established to return her weight back to the hindquarters. Teach your horse to back with a very light cue. To be able to use the back as a cue in a high excitability situation your horse needs to be very responsive and confident. At a low excitability level require your horse to respond in ounces of pressure. This will give you continued control over your horse as the bucking urge increases at higher excitability levels.

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Gordon Adair is a professional horse trainer and riding instructor with over thirty-four years of experience. Gordonıs specialty is instructing owners with their horses, the philisophy of teaching and communicating. The ability to teach and communicate can then be used with the ownerıs own discipline and personality. Visit Gordonıs web site on the Internet at www.adairmag.com/gordonadair for more informtion.

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