It can be enormously frightening to be on a bucking horse. If you're a novice rider, a bucking horse can almost force you to give up
"owning a horse" dream. But it doesn't have to be that way. I've read where people who can ride a bucking horse feel they're a good rider. That may be. But it doesn't mean they're good at training. And training is what we want to do.
Preventing bucking begins when horse is a colt. One must go to every extent in his training so he won't be inclined to buck - and that includes preventing bucking if he tries.
Naturally, that doesn't help you if your horse bucks already. Thus, if your horse bucks then question is whether or not it is solvable. The answer is: Usually.
The first thing to do is try and figure out why he bucks. This may be done by trying to eliminate causes.
As a for instance, one of most common causes of bucking is that rider punishes horse's mouth without knowing it. Also, he may be giving horse conflicting aids. For instance, rider may boot his horse forward and jerk on reins to slow him down. Then rider jerks his head around to turn him. As horse fights this rider gets mad and boots him hard again.
Finally, horse bucks. Why? Because he's absolutely frustrated.
Thus, fixing your riding habits to ones that make sense and are thoughtful for your horse will solve that problem. If you're a novice rider then riding lessons will help you immensely.
As you ride, ride relaxed. Focus on feel of your horse. Give him aid or signal to do what you want. Don't over exaggerate it. Give just enough signal to get him doing what you want then let it be.
If you plan to put him into a lope from a walk or trot, or vice versa, then think ahead and do it in a relaxed fluid manner. Don't surprise or startle your horse. Keep him relaxed. A relaxed horse is not going to buck.
Another solution may be changing bits. If you are using a curb bit perhaps you should try going to a snaffle. A snaffle is easier on a horse's mouth. It will still maintain contact with your horse and help him relax.
Another common time a horse bucks is when rider asks horse to canter or lope. A horse will sometimes buck in canter because it's natural for him to. It could also happen if rider signals his horse too suddenly and severely in asking for canter.
You see, a lot of people think they have to boot their horse hard to get canter- - and when they do, they jerk on horse's mouth when they boot him. Or, rider may ride with loose reins so horse will canter and then jerk his mouth to try and slow horse down right when he begins cantering.
