Bucked, and now scared
Dear Stella,
I’ve been riding for a year and a half now. Recently I was bucked off my pony Huckleberry, and now I’m too scared to trot him. I’m getting on him and then I get shivers down my spine and I really get scared. Could you help me, by helping me not to be so scared?
From, Rebecca
Dear Rebecca,
I get many letters from my readers asking how NOT to be afraid of their horses, especially while riding. My first suggestion is to spend lots of time on the ground: handling, grooming, and just changing out with your pony to get to know him well. Sometimes, time spent on the ground will help you understand horse body language. As far as your fear, there are a few things I’d like to share. First, it’s not unusual to be afraid during your life with horses – it’s OK! Give yourself time. It will help always to have an instructor to help you. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with your teacher, friends, and family. Now, when you’re riding, do lots of transitions. That means, for example, walk – halt, walk – trot, walk – trot. Don’t always go around and around a ring, or walk down a trail! Try to “talk” to your pony with transitions, and learn to listen to him and be in control of what you are asking him to do. Good luck, and try to be patient and persistent!
Love, Stella
Dear Rebecca,
I was once trown off of my Quarter Pony Missouri. We had just then sold him, and then we got him back because he supposedly threw off their two year old. When we got him back, he would buck whenever I put him into a canter. One day I put him into a run and I got bucked off. What I did was go right up to him, gathered up my reins, and got right back on him. I walk him for a while, then trotted. I would’ve put him into a canter again, but it was getting kind of late. What you should do is walk him, then trot, then when you feel comfortable, canter him. If it just dealt with him bucking for no reason, then here is what you do. Just use a one rein stop. What this is, is that if the horse is going to buck, he can’t, because a horse can’t buck when his head is pulling him in a circle. They also can’t buck this way, because they are going in a tight circle. I know I may sound older, but I am only 12 years old. My mom sometimes does training on our horses when they are the right age. I just hope this helps.
Neighs and Whinnies,
JJ
dear JJ,
I know how you feel to have to sell i horse, Because last year i had to sell an exrace horse becuse he was not happy at are house for some realson but he could not be any happier then he is now at his new home!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
My mom had an ex-race horse. Her name was Molly. When we got her, her name was Tess. After we had her for a while, whenever we said Tess, she would pin her ears back and shake her head. We had to get rid of her though because my mom ruined her knee, so after that she could not get on her any more.
neighs and whinnies,
JJ
Dear Horselover,
I used to have an exrace horse too!!!!!!!!!!! We had to sell him because he was just not happy at are house for some reason. But now i have two horses and there names are BElla and Cleo!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
I have a new horse also. Her name is Patience. She was born Mother’s Day 2009. She is a bay, and has no white markings. Her mom is a bay Quarter Arab, and her dad is a buttermilk buckskin Quarter Horse.
Neighs and whinnies
JJ
Dear JJ,
I am so happy you got a horse!!!!!!! Good luck with her!!!!!!!
Form,
Jessica/ponylover
Yea, my horse Patience is such a sweetheart. But recently, she had hurt her leg, so I have to wrap it for three weeks. I think it has been a week maybe now….
Neighs and Whinnies,
JJ
dear JJ,
OH MY GOSH Poor you and your horse! How did she hurt her leg. WIsh her luck for me!!
Jessica/ponylover
We have no idea how she hurt her leg. The vet said that it might have been from kicking something just right. But now, her other leg is doing the same thing.
Neighs and Whinnies,
JJ
Dear Rebecca,
I’ve been bucked off in the past also, and I know this can be a traumatic experience for both you and your horse. When this happens to me the thought that keeps me going and getting back on is my intense love for horses. So, when this happens to you, ask yourself, “Do I want to ride? Do I love my horse?” If the answers are yes, then you need to get back on and act like nothing’s happened. If you’re scared and tense, trust me, your horse can feel it! I’ve been there and done that!
Wishing You Happy Riding,
Sassafras(:
Haha my friends call me sassafrass too. I don’t sound like it on here because I try to be polite, but in real life I am. (oops O:) )
Same here. Good response! You sound very reassuring.
Dear Ponyrocks17534,
I agree with you!!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
Dear Rebbecca,
When i had my pony named robby,we were in the arena, my mom was locking the gate, i was not wearing any gear and robby had no saddle and bridle. when my mom turned her back, robby took off:(. i was thrown off of him. i fell into the sand and got dirt in my eyes. I was only six when that happend. and i ride horses still. I have never told anyone this so now everyone on here will know, and i am fine with that!:):)
Dear Rebecca, Everyone’s scared after falling off of a horse. The important thing is to get back on or you’ll be to scared to ever ride again. Falling off is a part of riding. The main thing you can do is Pray about it and take Stella’s advice. “With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 Good Luck and I hope this helps. Sincerely, Cayce
Dear Cayce,
What a wonderful thoughful comment you wrote to Rebecca!!!!!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
lets be friends
Dear Janielle,
I would love to be your friend you did not even have to ask me!!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
jessica/ponylover,
You are right. Are you and miracle friends in real life? i was just asking if ya do not mind.
Haha no, we don’t know each other in real life.
She’s very nice though.
Dear Rebecca, I never got bucked off, but i have been on a horse that took off it was terrible. I was sooo scared to get back on. But the next lesson my instructor new about it because it was her horse, she said that that horse was the only one availible to ride. So thats how i got rid of my fear from that horse. I have always loved horses, even before i knew what they were. It was a miracle from God. I know i sound like an adult but i am only 11! ~Mrr
P.S. The horse was named Sweety. Go horses! horses forever!!
Dear MRR,
I have never happen to me before but it did happen to my little sister and one of my friends and they both sayed on!! They almost fell off though.
From,
Jessica/ponylover
i almost fell off when i was doing 2 point while cantering
Dear Rebecca, I to just had a scary experience with my Arabin pony named Pilot. One think I learned is you have to get back on. But I was scared so I got the help of a horse trainer we found out that my horse had a whole bunch of bad habits! But with the help of my trainer we are retraining him. Anyway back ot the point! Ground work would be a good help and lunging, another thing is learn to read your horses ears and tail they are big helps! Like when the horse swats the air with his tail stomps the ground with his hoof and lays his ears back he might buck. BRASE YOURSELF when a horse bucks it’s not hard to hold on. Keep asking for the trot he will give up and trot on. many happy rides to you and don’t forget trust your horse
Dear Horse sense,
That is a wonderful thoughful comment you wrote to Rebecca!! Wonderful job!!!!!!!!!!!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
If your horse is a bucker, don’t let them put their head down low. I don’t mean don’t let them stretch because a stretch is very different from getting ready to buck. I don’t wanna give any false information, so talk to the experts if you want more info.
Dear HannahlovesBaorn,
I agree with you!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
Dear hannahlovesbaron,
It is good not to give false info, you do not wanna confuse anyone, right? Could you be my PONY friend? i do not have anyone. If i do not get anyone soon, i might leave chatting. But i love chatting with you girls. Don’t let me leave
ilovemypony
a horse i rode got kicked and he did one buck. it was not hard to hold on.
hi i was woundering how old does my quarter horse filly have to be before i ( i weigh 90 lbs)can ride her
It depends on how well trained she is and what weight she is used to. Talk to a trainer or instructor for more information.
Dear Nanners/Hannah R, It’s more than how old the horse is. The horse has to be fully trained first. But you in the mean time can built a friendship with her by grooming, feeding and helping with the training. Friendship is always very important because befor you ever ride a horses that horse should trust you and you should trust the horse. Also wait till the filly is almost fully grown befor you start training and riding. I know thats sounds like a long time but it’s important to wait because, if you train and start riding to soon your horse could have problems later in life like a swayed back and bowed legs. Hope this helps! Horse sense
Thank you Jessica/ponylover
Dear Horse Sense,
Thanks for what??
Form,
Jessica/ponylover
Dear Jessica/ponylover,
:):):):):):)
Can we be friends?? I am in LOVE with you’re helpful comments!
Hope Filled,
HorsesROCK!(And Ponies!)
Dear HORSESROCK!(AND PONIES!),
Sure i would love to be your friend! you did not even have to ask me!!
Form,
Jessica/ponylover
PS. I was on TV last night!!!!!!!!!!!!
can we be friends
Dear Jean,
sure! You did not even have to ask me!!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
Dear Jessica/ponylover,
I was just wondering if you would like to be my penpal. I could give you my address, and you could give me yours. I once asked someone to be my penpal, but they never replied back, so I guess what she was saying was no. Just wondering if you would like to be mine.
Sincerely,
JJ
Dear JJ,
Unfortunately, we can’t allow pen pal exchanges to happen on our website. Your intention is wonderful, but sadly (and this goes for all for all websites – and all members – please keep this in mind when surfing the web!) it’s NEVER a good idea to give out your full name and address over the Internet. Also, don’t despair about not yet finding a pen pal; the members whose pen pal letters we print often receive over a hundred letters, and imagine trying to write back to every single person! My hand hurts just thinking about it! So it’s nothing personal. If you’d like to find a pen pal, write to us (full instructions on how can be found in PONY magazine) and we’ll do our best to print your letter!
Thanks for writing,
Sarah
P.S. Only current PONY members will be printed in PONY magazine.
Dear Sarah,I think Rebbeca got bucked-off because um…maybe her horse has a hurt leg?????? :^)
At my stables there i8s a really spazzy horse named Prince. I rode him for a while, and he had a beautiful walk and trot and was a great jumper, but when I cantered him when we were not jumping, he would get excited, spook, bolt, buck, or just not stop cantering. I began to expect this would happen and would tense up, squeezing to stay on (and also accidentally asking him to go faster) until he got tired. Eventually my instructor noticed and gave me some tips:
1. when a horse is about to buck it will put its head down. Be ready and try to discourage it from doing this.
2.when a horse is bolting, pull it in small circles until it slows down to a walk. Then it is easier to control.
3.If you feel like your horse is going to act up, move your leg forward and sit back.
I don;t know if this will help to reassure you, but keep these in mind when you ride. Good luck(:
Happy spring every won!! I hope it is wonderful for every won!!!!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
I was bucked off of a horse before(Siggi)—I was kinda afraid to get back on him, but man,did I show that pony who was boss!!!
Dear Ace,
I hope you showed your horse who boss in a nice way!!
From,
Jessica/ponylover
Ps. Do you have a horse or horses??
Dear Rebecca,
A lot of people become afraid of their horses when things like this happen. I can understand you now being afraid, however, you must overcome your fear. But, the question is, how do you do that? Spend a lot of time on the ground as if you just got your horse. Groom him, pet him, feed him, etc. You’ll start to feel unafraid of him again. Good luck!
Love,
Shiloh
I haven’t been bucked off yet, my pony is apparently too smart for that. But Feather will; suddenly break into a dead run, then stop on a dime; spin and change directions; and most recently, back up really fast the all f a sudden go forward really fast. she doesn’t usually play the same trick twice, but sometimes Feather can’t think of anything. the most important thing is to get back on and let your horse know who’s boss. Once he/she knows who’s in control, you can have fun.
I was bucked off many, many times by a very nervous horse. He was scared of a wheelbarrow that was in a different place than usual! I later found out that I have an anxiety disorder. Couple that with a horse who is a serious pessimist, and you get a lot of fear and a sore bottom from falling! So when you are using a horse for lessons, make sure that he/she is a good fit for you.
Wow you sure have a spooky horse!! Good luck!!
Jessica/ponylover
I got bucked off last summer and i know how you feel, but my sister cured it for me . I was riding on the road with my horse and she was riding on her bike and she got behind me and started challenging me to a race and when she got me going i for got i was scared and went. i hope this helps.
i once got bucked off riding bareback and i got right back on and showed him that he was not the boos and he was fine.
i got bucked off once but i was little
try having some body ride him first then you get on and have some body hold on to the lead
Dear Rebecca,
I know Exactly how you feel. About a year ago I fell off a pony named Toby. The fall wasn’t that bad but it was one of three falls I had had that month and it really put me in shock. Since then I could not canter without tightening up. Well, the other day I was at my friend’s house and we were riding her golf cart around her property. She thought it would be funny to slam on brakes and see what happened. I didn’t know she was stopping and flew out of the golfcart unprepaired and fell on my bum. And guess what, now I’m not afaraid to canter anymore because I’m not afraid to fall! Please don’t take this as a suggestion to throw yourself off of something though. LOL!
rebbeca, wat you can do is basically just wat stella said feel him out do some ground work.i fell off my horse ZZ once and i was reeeeeaaaaalllll shaky but i got back on and and rode her. wen we got home i did ground work to help her footing be more precise ya mite say.it worked and she hasnt stumbled again.so just work with him and then ride him.if he continues to buck the pull his head using one reign.wat saddle do you use eng. or west.???
u should walk ur horse around the paddlock before and after all ur rides. if ur horse gets used to that he/she will look forword to it everyday.
Being bucked ain’t bad as long as your not hurt and get right back on. Just make sure he’s alright. He may of bucked because his tack was bothering him or he was spooked.