At 08:31:48 on 13.07.10, Flicka wrote:
Is she in season? My mare gets really sensitive in the back sometimes and doesn't like me sitting deep onto her back in the canter but is fine when I canter and jump with a light to forward seat? Again I get the bucking when I sit deep at canter. Also make sure your saddle is ok and not moving up and down at the back. Also depending on your surface the menage can be hard work. It of course could be something more serious-hock problems can cause bucking. I don't agree with Jess that asking a horse to engage it's hindquarters and raise it's back causes problems for a kissing spine-this is what stops one happening as it opens the spinous processes. It's riding the horse hollow backed so they come together and rub that causes so called kissing spines.

At 13:34:33 on 13.07.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Sorry flicka i didn't make myself clear lol i meant if it was a behaviour problem as keeping the head up makes it more difficult to buck and keeping the quarters round keeps you horse listening to you, and kissing spine is when the vertebrae (sp?) rub together when the horse is stood in a regular stance with a straight back and no rider :)... That was what i meant sorry for the confusion lol :)

At 23:44:48 on 13.07.10, limo wrote:
Re the bitting problem, I would advise having someone experienced try your horse, they may well need a change of bit, but sometimes stronger isn't always better, and all though you have had your horse checked, some problems can be missed as they are not always present on examination. I note you say your horse is strong, could it be maybe they are more forward as this can be very frightening and mistaken for being strong? Please keep us up to date on your progress and wish you all the best. And remember although we can all advise and give suggestions we are all online and no substitute for a professional who knows you and your horse x

At 08:26:43 on 14.07.10, Flicka wrote:
That's a good point limo made about horses just being more forward than we feel comfortable with sometimes. However I also think that horses rush and go against our hand when they are unbalanced. If they're on the forehand then they tend to run and lean on us. They also rush if they aren't straight-especially on their bad rein-I speak from experience lol! In this case I would go back to some basic schooling-with lots of walk work, lateral work, and half halts,really getting your horse to listen to your weight aids. Anyway, it worked for me :D I agree with Limo that finding a good trainer is important but unfortunately it has taken me a long time and a lot of trainers to find one of those!

At 18:28:55 on 14.07.10, XbrX wrote:
Thank you so much for your comments everyone theye have really helped, at the moment ive kept her on a snaffle but she has a flash and a martingale on, an so far she seems okay took her to a show the other day an she was fab, thank you all for your help :)