Why Horse Buck and How to Stop this Behavior

In order to understand why a horse bucks it is helpful to take a closer look at the circumstances taking place before the actual bucking takes place. Horses buck for several reasons, the causes may be quite diverse, but  ultimately the action remains still the same: an unexpected rodeo witnessed first hand. If your horse bucks often, hold on tight and learn about what can be done to reduce this behavior.

Why Does a Horse Buck?

• Joy of Life

Horses can be quite vivacious creatures, the view of a green pasture may give a horse the instinct to run and celebrate life by acting exhuberant and bucking a few times. You can see this behavior already in colts that playfully run around the paddock looking for new adventures or the day. Seeing a horse buck from joy is a pleasure,  perhaps a little less if you are riding him .

• Pent up Energy

Horses that have been closed in the stables for a few days, may run and buck once let out. This is normal behavior due to excessive energy. Horses need a lot of daily exercise and if your horse remains closed for a few days either because of inclement weather or because of a temporary injury, once out your horse may be quite hyperactive.

• High Energy Foods

If you horse is on a high energy diet such as oats, this may cause him to feel much more energetic and will therefore, be more likely to buck to release this excess energy. Too much fuel ends up causing a horse with too much energy.

• Unfit Equipment

Is the saddle the correct size for your horse, Sometimes a saddle of the wrong size may cause pain and continuous friction which may turn painful. Is the girth too tight? This may cause chaffing to the sensitive skin areas. Is the bit causing problems? Sometimes the bit may be painful on horses with dental problems.

• Lack of Training

If the horse is very young and not quite used to wearing a saddle or having somebody ride him, it will be an instict to buck to get the saddle or the rider off.  With time, these young horses eventually will get used to the saddle and will buck less and less.

• Back Pain

Horses with a history of bucking sometimes were diagnosed with a case of back pain. It is certainly something to look into if the horse bucks frequently especially if the bucking occurs mostly when the the saddle is placed and the rider is on top.

How to Stop a Horse from Bucking?

Often riders are able to tell when a horse is about to buck. Most horses will lower their head  in order to buck efficiently. Preventing a horse from lowering the head may make it difficult for a horse to buck. Another method is to pull the reins to the left or the right allowing the horse to touch your leg with its nose. This position will not allow bucking. Turning in tight circles may help as well and may as well discourage the behavior in the long run.

As seen, horses buck for several reasons. It is the owner's or rider's job to figure out what is causing the bucking and act consequently. Hyperactive horses should be kept in a corral to release the excessive energy before being ridden, horses that eat high energy foods should undergo a diet change, horses with suspected back pain should see a veterinarian or chiropractor and horses that simply love life should be allowed to enjoy it as much as they can along with their owners.