How to Get a Horse to Not Buck

Learn what to do when a horse starts bucking., Ride safely, and make a habit of it., Scan your tack before tacking up to make sure there's nothing that would irritate your horse., Groom your horse and check for any irritating things that don't...

17 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Learn what to do when a horse starts bucking.

    Start by reading the part below on managing a bucking horse, and also learn from experienced riders or guides.
  2. Step 2: Ride safely

    Wear a helmet, sit deep in the saddle, and keep your heels down. , Even a burr could bring a horse to bucking, so don't take this task lightly. , Pay special attention to where the saddle and girth will be. , The horse will usually let you know if it is. , You do not want to take a chance at being dragged. , When the horse's neck is turned, the horse doesn't have the balance it needs to buck. ,, Make sure you don't end the riding session until the horse behaves and stops trying to buck. , If you cannot get the horse to stop bucking, have a more experienced rider ride the horse and give you suggestions.

    This may be the only choice if you are a novice, as your attempts may have taught the horse that he can get away with bucking.

    An experienced rider will be ready to deal with such shenanigans firmly and swiftly. , All horses buck for one reason or another.

    Check to make sure that your horse does not have a burr under the saddle pad, bug bites, or anything else that could trigger bucking. , It's possible that he may not be trained properly.

    Some horses that are not trained properly will find riding tasks confusing and hard.

    You may be putting too much pressure on him, so he wants the pressure to lessen.

    And what's a better way to achieve that than to buck?
  3. Step 3: and make a habit of it.

  4. Step 4: Scan your tack before tacking up to make sure there's nothing that would irritate your horse.

  5. Step 5: Groom your horse and check for any irritating things that don't belong (like burrs).

  6. Step 6: Check the girth once it's secure to make sure it isn't pinching the horse.

  7. Step 7: Sit deep and make sure your heels are down.

  8. Step 8: Tighten the reins if they aren't in contact with the horse's mouth

  9. Step 9: and pull the horse's head to the side (near your knee).

  10. Step 10: Circle the horse at a walk three times

  11. Step 11: the circle expanding each time

  12. Step 12: then straighten the horse out at a walk.

  13. Step 13: If the horse continues trying to buck

  14. Step 14: repeat the above steps of this section.

  15. Step 15: Take advantage of experience.

  16. Step 16: Be observant.

  17. Step 17: Find out what training your horse had.

Detailed Guide

Start by reading the part below on managing a bucking horse, and also learn from experienced riders or guides.

Wear a helmet, sit deep in the saddle, and keep your heels down. , Even a burr could bring a horse to bucking, so don't take this task lightly. , Pay special attention to where the saddle and girth will be. , The horse will usually let you know if it is. , You do not want to take a chance at being dragged. , When the horse's neck is turned, the horse doesn't have the balance it needs to buck. ,, Make sure you don't end the riding session until the horse behaves and stops trying to buck. , If you cannot get the horse to stop bucking, have a more experienced rider ride the horse and give you suggestions.

This may be the only choice if you are a novice, as your attempts may have taught the horse that he can get away with bucking.

An experienced rider will be ready to deal with such shenanigans firmly and swiftly. , All horses buck for one reason or another.

Check to make sure that your horse does not have a burr under the saddle pad, bug bites, or anything else that could trigger bucking. , It's possible that he may not be trained properly.

Some horses that are not trained properly will find riding tasks confusing and hard.

You may be putting too much pressure on him, so he wants the pressure to lessen.

And what's a better way to achieve that than to buck?

About the Author

C

Charlotte Fox

Writer and educator with a focus on practical creative arts knowledge.

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