bucking paint

Question
Hello, I rescued my paint horse about a year ago from a horse trader.  I rode him a few times right after I got him and he was fine, and then a few months later me and my girlfriend went riding, and all of the sudden he started bucking and threw her off.  I got him especially for my friends to ride because I have a horse that I ride all the time.  Now ever since then, everytime someone would get on him, he would start bucking and throwing people off.  They arn't very aggressive bucks either, it's like he got it in his head that if he bucks, then people would fall so he would do it everytime!! I didn't ride him for about 6 months straight, then I had a male friend of mine that started riding him and now he sais that he is ONLY right when he lunges him for about half an hour till he is tired.  

I would like to know if it's because I just need someone to ride him that knows what they are doing for a while?  Because first of all, I don't want to have to lunge him for half an hour everytime I want to ride him, and secong of all, I don't want him to think that he can buck off immature riders.  Please help.

Thank you,

Holly

Answer
Hi Holly!

You did not tell me his age or breed and what his "natural" temperament is.  See, some horses are just calm.  They are born that way.  They can be safe, easily trained and just all around a real peach at a very young age.  Some horses are just *NOT* calm.  They are born that way too.  Years of riding and training do nothing towards making them a safe mount for all riders of any ability.

So, before you decide to make this your "go-to guy" for all your visiting friends, some of which have little or no riding experience or real horse sense....you should really think about this.  Is he the right horse...does he have the right temperament?  The right "natural" temperament?

In your last sentence you said "I don't want him to think that he can buck off immature riders."  I'm sure you meant inexperienced riders.  Anyway, this just might not be the right horse for you situation.  That is what you have to think about before deciding to attempt to make him your loaner horse.

Lastly, your friend is right.  Your gelding has way too much energy and longeing him in full tack before every single ride is probably a step in the right direction.  Since you do not want to have to do that...this, again, makes me think he might not be the right horse for your situation.  You might want a much more experienced and naturally calm horse that you can pull out of the stall or field, throw a rider up and the horse just accepts it all willingly.  Think about all that before you take the time and money to fix this one.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange