OMG she has learned to BUCK aged 18!

[marge2]

My lovely 99.9999999% safe bombproof nearly 19 year old mare who has never yet bucked in her whole life has today given me her first attempt.

She has not been turned out since last June due to Metabolic Syndrome, but has been in as much work as the weather and time will allow. Getting out for a ride almost every day. Apart from when it snowed. She has been lame recently again and had a few days off. Been back in work for two weeks. Was terribly joggy to start with, understandably, but has calmed down again - until today!

Went for a trot along this lovely long soft field edge. Got her on the bit to make her work. She broke into canter and then stuck her head between her knees and tried to bronk. It wasn't really too unseating so she didn't get me off and she got a right royal telling off.

But WTF??? She has NEVER done it in the 15 years I have owned her! Her saddle was checked just before Christmas. Her back is fine. I just think she is feeling exuberant!

[ManateeEquineOhara]

Maybe she does have some pain somewhere, I know you said her back is fine, but after 15 years of never bucking that would be my first thought. I would not necessarily be back pain, but anything that would make her feel uncomfortable.

Or has her feed been changed recently? Has anyone else been riding her?

[marge2]

Hiya,

No change in feed, since June she has not been turned out, had been on just enough nuts,/chaff to get her bute into her and minimal hay (i.e 1 slice am, 1 lunch and 2 pm) , all on vets orders. Nobody new has ridden her. She got farily fit before the snow, but then went lame on her dodgy off fore.. and then it snowed, so was in the box pretty much for a month.

Has been back in work for two weeks again now. She bucked yesterday and was slightly lame today so did not get ridden. Perhaps something WAS hurting?. But of the gazillion times she has gone sore on that off fore before it has never made her buck so I would be surprised if it was her foot. Knowing her like I do - I think she was just feeling like she wanted a blow-out and knocked herself trying to fling me off.

I'm gutted as today was meant to be her first 1/2 hour since June in the little paddock. It was hard as nails in there this morning though so no bad thing.

Re-scheduled now to Monday assuming she is sound enough by then.

[marge2]

...also I usually carry a stick, and someone had nicked mine so I had nothing with me. I think she knew and took the piss. Got a new one today!

[Myleetlepony]

With that history I think I'd be getting her saddle checked before reaching for the stick.

[marge2]

I always carry a stick - hardly ever ever have to use it use it. Just a tap to remind her to listen to my leg sometimes. I never have to wack her.

The saddle was checked in early Dec.

She has been pretty mellow so far this week. I'll see how she goes next time I go for a trot down that field. I do think that after 6 months living she is starting to get a bit antsy!

[ManateeEquineOhara]

Hmm, 6 months living in could well be the trigger actually!

I always carry a stick too, the mare can be selective in listening to me from time to time :)

[SpiderObsession]

Run your fingers down her spine and see if she flinches.

Mine used to go out of condition over winter and his saddle used to rub the first few weeks until he got the muscle back. Apparently that's quite common. So it's possible that the saddle is not quite right at the moment because you've just brought her back into work.

Is there any squishy lumps in the saddle area? That could be a pressure point.