Classification:
Prologue: Paul Fitzgerald, IBM Healthcare Solutions
Tel: 07 3213 2099 Fax: 07 3213 2013
Email: paulfitz@au1.ibm.com
Mobile: 0412 792 375
Epilogue: Paul.
<<Question: Horse wants to always be first when riding with others.
Horse may have a fit and even start bucking if he doesn't get his or
her way. What are some of the training techniques used to break the
horse of this habit?>>
In my experience (about 32 years of riding, from pony club to eventing to
dressage, polo and now endurance)
a bucking horse is a symptom of not enough basic training - ie manners. Easier
said than done, I know.
I always give a younger horse heaps of time on the arena, weeks, then road work
with one other to get
them used to it, before going in a group.
They will often play up in a larger group, and I guess that's just the way they
are, however, if the
horse is well schooled on the flat, the rider will have more control.
A horse can't buck effectively if it is going forward (from an
impulsion/dressage point of view),
and if you keep their head up.
It may also be worthwhile letting them run in front for a while, until they
settle. If you keep fighting
the horse, you'll eventually lose - the horse is stronger, so its sometimes
better to let them go a bit,
and then get control later.
You can't beat experience