My horses definition of cantering is-bucking!

Question
Hello, I own a Quarter Horse gelding who is 8 years old. He rode english when he was younger, but now I am trying to train him western style. My problem is that every time I want him to canter, he'll start bucking! There is a person that comes out to the farm every once in a while and he knows my horse really well. He says that he has always done that, even in english. What he does is he drops his head when I give him the cue, tucks it in, and starts to buck! He dosn't buck hard at all, but if this keeps continuing, he will start to buck harder. My trainer told me that whenever he starts to buck, take one rein and pull his head around so he can make a circle. She says that horses hate that and then they will quit! I've tried that, it somewhat works, but he still bucks. Also, my riding instructor told me that whenever a horse starts to buck, lunge him. That dosn't work because he still bucks. Well, I'll take that back. He'll buck when there's weight on his back. He lunges and canters beautifully when there's no saddle on him. He has no health problems, his feet are just fine, he's not colicy, he is getting the right amount/type of food, my saddle fits him just perfectly. I don't know why he won't canter with weight on his back. I do know that he really dosn't like my snaffle bit. He's very soft-mouthed, and if you accidentally pull those reins, his head will pick up and soon, his feet will pick too (rearing). So I've been careful with the reins and he's been fine. I was wondering if a linked snaffle (tom thumb for instance) may by causing the problem. I need some advise on what the problem is and how to fix it. Thankyou!
-Kristen

Answer
Hi Kristen!

You did not tell me how long you have had this horse or if he ever cantered correctly for you and then started bucking or did he always refuse to canter, right from the beginning?

He is at the prime of his physical health and worse temperment....he's in his "teenage boy" years and full of beans!  You are right when you say it will only get worse and you will get hurt.

First, he must not be over-fed and under-exercised.  He must get plenty of turnout and yes, longed before every ride.  He needs to be longeing at all 3 gaits with emphasis on "WHOA!" so you have his mind.  The longeing is to tire him out for your ride and get all the sillies out of him.   When I say longed, I mean for 15 minutes.  He is young, strong and healthy...he can handle it.  You should  not be just running him in circles but, doing specific exercises for his mind and body.  You can buy books or go online to see some examples of longeing work.  Use this 15 minutes to your advantage.

Second, I feel there is a great chance that he is just disrespecting you at the canter gait.  This is common.  If you are sure he really understands the cues you are giving him correctly for the canter (and he can prove that during longeing) then, he is just being piggish.

I would forget switching his discipline for now and just work on this issue.  Nothing can be done until this is solved.  I am not in love with the "Just turn him in circles!" trick.  Yes, it works in a pinch but, it has absolutely no long term value....that is not training.  And consistent, repetitive training is the only thing that will stick on him forever, especially when you really need it.

Lastly, when you have him in a good frame of tired but, willing mind through turnout and consistent, practical longeing....you must have the fight.  You must ask him correctly to canter, wait for the buck and then wallop him with a crop and yell "NO!".  Get off him, leave all tack on, take him to the longeing area and make him RUN!!!  Run in circles like a cougar is chasing him, use a longewhip to crack at him for the effect.  Run until he is dripping.  Then, get back on him and go through your normal routine until you get to the canter, ask correctly and if he canters 20 steps politely (YOU decide when to stop the gait, not HIM!) ...stop him and pat him, tell him "GOOD BOY!" and walk him out.  IF he dares to buck again...dismount, walk him over to the longeing area and run him again.  Then, back on him and go through your normal routine, ask correctly for the canter and see what happens.  This fight is necessary to prove your dominance over him and that his punishment for disobeying you is swift and unpleasent.

How many times will you have to do this?  As many as it takes to tame your boy.  You are not being cruel, he will not "get mad at you" and act out.  He will come to respect your word and he will understand you mean business.  Or he will be punished and that is not fun.

Stop thinking there is something wrong with him...his feet, his saddle...etc.  Horses are herd animlas and he just needs to understand you are his dominant and he must listen to you all the time everytime.  Right now, I feel he just doens't care to obey and you have to prove to him he must.

Fix this bucking issue now before it gets worse and then you can move onto re-training his discipline.

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

Solange