Young horse that bucks occasionally

Question
Hi Lyn, thanks so much for the feedback.  As for the times that this has happened, I try to look back to see what it was that I may have done wrong.  The first time we were with two other horses, one of them my gelding, who by the way is also an Arab.  We were heading down a hill and when I tried to get her to walk slowly, she turned her head almost to quickly, I feared we may fall to the side so I swatted her with the crop on her rear which made her rear and then buck and then rear again. On hindsight, I think 80% or so may have been my fault.  The 2nd time, I don't know what happened.  We had just walked 1 mile then had a very small stretch of a lope.  When we were walking she all of a sudden bucked, I lost my stirrup and smacked her with my rein again on her rear, and she bolted forward into the field bucking, again, I'm on the ground.  Now I know that swatting her, doesn't work, however for her to just buck in the middle of the road for no reason, is the switch in which I'm a bit afraid of.  My daughter has ridden her probably 20 times beside my horse, being ponied and we even took her to a horse show in the fall.  I'm just perplexed on why, and seriously am starting to think it is her lack of training and her age.  Oh, I purchased her from a rescue and don't know her history, thus my hesitancy in taking her back.  I really want for it to work out but she isn't safe (now) for my daughter or even me for that matter except for in the arena and even then, I don't know about that switch.  

Thanks again, for your thoughts on this.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi Lyn,  I purchased a 4 year old Arab Mare in June that was "claimed" a childs horse.  I realize now, that meant only in size.  We have only ponied this mare with my gelding for over 6 months with mostly no problems.  She gets spooky at some things but I understand that to be only exposure to things.  I even rode her out with other horses leaving the gelding behind.  She is a very sweet horse and has a good disposition.  She does however have a switch that I never know when it is going to flip and she has thrown me.  I know this sounds strange, she's only bucked me off twice but it's that "switch" that I have a fear of.  I've been ridding for at least 15 years and have brought my flighty gelding to become a very good trail horse.  I'm thinking of selling the mare but also wonder if it is just a time factor because of her age.  Any thoughts on what could be helpful? Re-train and work with her or sell her?
-----Answer-----
Bridget,

Well, you have a mare, a baby and and Arab too.  Arabs can be rather spooky out on trail, it takes a lot of seasoning to get some of them to get their heads together.  And she's a baby too.  Just because she's 4 doesn't mean she's grown.  She's got a lot of growing both physical and mental to do.  

What are the circumstances that cause her to "lose it"?  Those are what you need to work on.  I think with some re-training and establishing some trust that she'll be fine.  She is very young and probably quite green so just remember that.  If you like the horse and feel she has potential then I would say do the needed re-training with her.  Someone else might not be so understanding and it will be a sad, downhill trail for her that might wind up at the killers.  Patience and love will go a long way to molding a nice horse.   

Let me know some details on where she has given you problems and I can probably give you some more detailed advice on how to handle specific problems and situations.

Lyn

Answer
Bridget,

You figured it out yourself whether you realize it or not.  You smacked her with a crop.  She does not take to that kind of discipline!  And she's telling you about it!!  

She's very green so the first instance was your fault, you were right.  Chances are she isn't good at going down hills yet and needs to be worked with to learn to get her hindquarters under her.  She's probably working off the forehand like most youngsters.  You need to settle down and do some ring work with her first.  Forget the crop.  I would put a running martigale on her to keep her from throwing her head and do some basic dressage work with her to teach her to get herself up and round her back.  Pay better attention to you.  This is gonna take patience and not so severe repremands.  She's a girl, remember that.  I told you the first time that you have to handle them the way you would like to be handled, you're a woman.  My guess is you wouldn't take to being smacked either!  So, deal with her on those terms.  Mares respond well to voice and a smack on the neck with your hand if necessary.  I simply keep a leg on them all the time.  

On a side note, check your saddle fit on her and have her back checked out by an equine chiropractor.  Most rescue horses I've seen have been a mess. One mare had both a shoulder, hip, withers and neck out.  Hadn't had her teeth done in God knows how long, maybe never.  My dentist said it was the worst he'd seen in 30 yrs.  She may be having a hard time getting her hind end up under her and when she gets a pinch she reacts.  Keep contact with her mouth and pay attention to her when you ride.  She will get better over time, they all do, but it's going to take time.  

Treats will go a long way with mares.  Get her to do some basic flexxing exercises with you, reaching around to get treats.  She should be able to reach all the way back to her point of hip or past.  If she can't then she has some physical issues that will greatly affect her under saddle.  I also get them to reach around to the toe of my boot for a treat when riding.  You just have to lay down the rules from the start as to how and when they are earned.  No pushing, shoving, ugly face or other rudeness will be tolerated.  She needs to realize that you are the "lead mare" and you set the rules.  Respect and trust are far more important issues with mares than geldings or stallions generally.  I have met geldings that also had trust issues but not for the same reasons the mares do.  It's part of their nature.  

But she sounds like she has potential.  She's still young and has a lot of growing up to do.  She's been like one of the abused kids you hear about so remember what you are dealing with.  Love her, baby her, fuss over her and let her know that you appreciate her.  When a mare gives you her trust it's special.  

Lyn