[BarebackJourney]

Today I am at my dad's house, and I missed Sierra so much. I was so excited to see her gorgeous face, and could not wait to ride! After a good groom and some pampering, I tacked her up as usual, mounted and walked off. Here is a little diagram of a birds view of the pasture we ride in:

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This is the pasture we always ride in unless we trail ride, and is also the pasture she grazes in 24/7. The opening is where it leads into her stall area and that's where I tie her up and groom her. Her worst habit is that while riding she will tend to turn in toward the stall, wanting to stop riding. I've been trying to break this habit for a long time, and it WAS getting better. But today I was practicing just walking, haulting, walking, hauling, trotting, haulting, trotting, haulting. I figured by the end of the lesson I'd get her from a walk to a canter and be all proud of myself. ...But that's not how it turned out. I went to canter her on the corner, and she turned the corner like she was barrel racing, cantering straight back towards the stall. And on her way, she bucked like a bronco! I went flying, which was extremely frightening for me, since it was my first fall since March (where I fell and she ran over my ribs). I was so scared today. But I got back on, and continued like nothing happened, though I was very messed up inside.

But now when I asked her to trot, she broke into a gallop and HAD to be slowed down. But I'll tell you, this pony did not want to stop running. And if I loosened the death grip I had on the reins, she'd bolt and buck straight back to the stall. Finally I got enough control to keep her from going to the stall, but she didn't want to stop running... so we cantered for almost 5 minutes -- which is long if you really do think about it. Especcially long for us, because after 30 seconds she immediately goes back to a trot.

ANYWAYS, the odd thing was that she had so much energy today. We went through the same routine, and I rode her the same way. Any idea of what might have caused this? Pain was MY first though, but I know her back is not sore. I check it all the time. BUT when we were trotting, she'd shake/raise and lower her head like the bit was bothering her. So I took off the bridle and then she didn't have a problem. But once in a while she DOES do the head shaking problem, so it's not like it's this random, painful thing. She didn't pin her ears back or anything, it just seems to me like she's adjusting the bit in her mouth.

I am SOOO sorry if this is long, but I needed to get the ride OUT of my system and let all of you know what happened. If you guys have any idea's of what might have caused it, that would help. I loved how she just wanted to run, as that's all I ever want to do-- and lately I love running. So is it a telepathy thing? AH! So confused! ANYWAYS, I don't necessarily want to prevent the running thing, just the bucking and her stall sourness! >.< The ride was fun in many ways... just really really confusing.

[BarebackJourney]

The pasture diagram didn't turn out the way I wanted... Hmm... just picture a large, square pasture with a good 70-100 foot opening into the stall area.

[steeledancer]

Well, first you have to think about where you end your rides usually... do you end in the stall area, then groom her and pamper her there? It seems likely to me, as most people do, this is, after all, the most convenient!

If this is the case, I would suggest riding her AWAY from that area when you are finished your ride, dismount somewhere she would never expect, preferably somewhere she likes to avoid (kill two birds with one stone), dismount, loosen your girth, remove the bridle, give her a good rub, then walk quietly back to wherever you untack, etc. This will keep her guessing, and she won't think that getting back to the stall area means ride is over, grooming and treats, or whatever your routine be. She will learn that it could happen anytime, anywhere, and that it will happen when it happens. She will also learn to appreciate the places she doesn't appreciate now, and if you always get off somewhere different, she will learn not to anticipate it anymore. Good luck, and stay safe!

[Lil.Red-Enza]

Hmm..thats strange...do you ride her every day, maybe she was really energetic..? It's a possibilty. It could have also been a spook...she could have spooked at something and it might have made her run. I would double check on the pain thing ONLY because she was showing quite a few symptoms (Bucking, running, shakeing head)..just...Better safe then sorry =)

[SunBun]

When was the last time you rode her?

[BarebackJourney]

Steeledancer- Thanks, I did dismount *for once* in a different spot today, I'll keep that up. ^^

LRE- I highly doubt it was a spook because she slowed it to a nice pace, just kept going. And nothing was changed that wasn't there before I rode her, either. I do suspect her wolf teeth are growing and it was bothering her in the mouth with the bit, but she does do this maybe twice during a ride every week or so. I think she really is just adjusting the bit in her mouth. Also, if I loosen the reins when she does this, she tends to go faster. So maybe it is a holding back issue, where she just wants to run? And I know she has no back pain. Often I rub her back and massage and she doesn't even flinch. There are no visible saddle sores, and she doesn't act up when I bring the saddle out to her.

SunBun- Here's the schedule. Every other week I'm at my dad's house, where I keep Sierra. So that WHOLE WEEK (with the exception of a bad day or just a break) I ride, once a day, almost an hour. Usually the week I'm at my mom's I come over one or two afternoons to spend time with her and ride... that day was today. The last time I rode her before this was last Thursday. The schedule isn't new, and she knows to expect a week off, with the exception of a day or two. ^.^

[riding_reaper]

Do you lounge her before you ride? That might help. That is odd behavior though. hmmm...

[BarebackJourney]

She's not a good lungeing horse, but she will walk, sometimes trot. Lungeing is a method I have yet to perfect with her. And the more I think about it, the more I realize she may just be barn sour. I just don't understand how she was so full of energy TODAY! That mare never runs as long as she did today, and it was just odd...

[pnh]

personally i think you need to work on your partnership so she WANTS to be with you, not back at the stall.
also getting off at different sports each ride will help.
and taking her out into the paddock and grooming her, spending time with her, getting her backing out of your space, inviting her in, moving her hind qaurters. all things like that in the paddock.
but most importantly you need to sort out your safety. if she takes off liek that, choose one rein and pull her in a circle - not aggressivly - sensibly ofcourse. if you stop her right side, you stop her left side. if shes going in a circle she cant go up - at both ends ( buck or rear), she cant go down or forwards. keep her circling until she STOPS AND ReLaXeS!!! - RELAXING IS IMPORTANT. then start again. if she takes off - circle her. dont pull both reins - pull one. get into a power posistion - sit deep and 'stab' your knee, pull rein up towards bellybutton with fingernails up, think calm and slowing..., then if ned be up to your shoulder. hold that position - this disengages her hind quarters - where all the power comes from. then when shes stopped and relaxed lead her front end by takign the one rein and do a saluting motion - taking you arm straight out to the side and lead her front legs.
anyway good luck.

[*Kingston*]

yeah i would try lounging her