Horse Bucking

Some horses buck out of fear, which commonly happens when they have something strapped around their middle, like a saddle and rider. Horse bucking can also be an act of defiance; horses that don't go forward very well tend to buck for this reason.

You can tell the difference between a fearful buck and a defiant buck because the fearful buck is lightning fast and violent while the defiant buck is somewhat premeditated and, by comparison, lazy.

Fear-Based Horse Bucking

The key to curing the problem of horses bucking depends on the reason for the behavior. For fearful horses, the key is to develop a relationship of trust with them. The Parelli Natural Horsemanship DVDs on Natural Attraction and on Horsenality™ (which is about how to understand and work with your horse’s basic personality type) are both very helpful in learning how to develop trust between you and your bucking horse.

Once you know how to get your horse’s trust, then you have to know how to “talk” to him, using body language – a language horses understand. The Seven Games DVD has decoded this body language so you can use it to communicate your desires without causing fear and confusion, one of the key concepts of Parelli natural horse training. Useful for all horse problems, not just horse bucking, the Seven Games will teach you how to help your horse overcome his fear of things and how to move him around on the ground in a way that is far more constructive than lunging. It will teach your horse the elements of every maneuver and show you how to prepare your horse so he doesn't feel the need to buck.

Horse Bucking As An Act of Defiance

If you have a defiant horse, you still have to get him to trust and respect you, but your strategies will be a little different from those used with a fearful horse. Natural Attraction and Horsenality^™ will be very helpful. The Calm Ride DVD will show strategies to motivate your horse to want to go forward without you pushing him. That's important because these horses respond negatively when pushed, and even more so when spurred or whipped, especially when these techniques are used as punishment. The goal is to stop your horse’s bucking by not giving him a reason to buck – and that starts with his mind and emotions. Relationship and communication-based Parelli natural horse training will help you reach that goal and stop the horse bucking as a result.