bucking saddled & refusal to lunge

Question
I really have a two fold question but which probably both regard the same problem... me... that is my inability to command respect, I think!

Experience: I have been riding on and off since thirteen, took it up again at age fifty after many years break.
Age now: 54
WHAT IS YOUR HORSE EXPERIENCE: part TB, probably sold due to her bucking... all we were told is that she was kept for trail riding then sold to a center for therapy riding, then sold again, she is now 14 Ayers old
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM: nothing
IS HORSE KEPT ALONE WITH OTHER HORSES: in a stall with five others,
IS YOUR HORSE IN A STALL OR PASTURE : put out to paster a few hours /day when poss. (that is almost every day).

When she came three years ago she was very difficult and sometimes even aggressive (leads to believe she may have been mistreated). After much patience and desensitizing she is now very docile and follow me around (mainly for the goodies I might give her from my pocket).
She is very sensitive and jumps at unknown sounds etc, but she quickly gets over it with a little voice encouragement.
She does at times buck (her front legs, then down goes the head and up the rump and over I go... most times!)
It has happened five times over the past three years, and I tried to find common denominator, but all I can think is that the first time was due to anger because she couldn't get her own way (luckily we were only walking and remained in the saddle) other times I sent her at a gallop and after a few paces off she goes and three out of four off I went! I think maybe I wasn't allowing her to go fast enough, I was holding her back (one time though there was another horse in front and there was no room to overtake, which is what she was trying to do).

The second problems (to try and overcome the above problem through ground work & bonding etc) is that when I try to lunge her she just comes toward me Face on and come and nuzzles my pocket !!! (for those treats ... which I obviously don't give to her) . Then even if I get her started she does a few circles around me then comes back in again. I have tried the whip... but she is so desensitized that she know I won't harm her with it and just stands there looking at me!

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

All the best
Rosa  

Answer
You are right, it is you and lack of respect.  The bucks are happening since you said you are holding her back.  that is what you think, you horse is thinking, why is she pulling on my bit,  what does she want, how do I release this pressure.  Stop pulling back and holding back, use one rein more and get away from two reins, tilt her head when she goes too fast, mover her sideways, move her left then right, keep her mind on movement and following your cue than just you pulling back and her going forward.  do calm flexes when she wants to go fast, if you fight with her she will fight back.

As for ground work, she is working you, once a horse learns he can do this, they do it.  They know if he the stick their head at you they do not have to move, this is dominating you and showing you they are in charge.  She needs a good stern pop with the rope ONCE, and make her move out of your face, once she knows she gets that,she will not come in unless you ask.

Rick