trainer questions..................................................?

1) he's a baby, he currently isn't capable of making his own decisions yet and he doesn't understand what being "bad" means. keep putting mileage on him and correct him when he does something you don't want him to do.

2) have you considered a bonnet? it's like a tie down but goes behind their ears and keeps his nose free.

3) he should be old enough now, but you still have to teach him a lot (like how to run super fast) before you start hauling him places. just please don't blow his brains out by making him only run the patterns flat out every time you ride him. teach him how to run the patterns, but do a lot of arena work and other exercises so he doesn't a: get bored or b: start acting like a crackhead whenever he's lined up with one of the patterns or c: become super not fun to ride because of b

4) thank you for teaching your horse good manners!

5) it's ok to baby and love on him, but don't do it to the point where you are unable to discipline him when you have to

6) see numbers 1 and 5

1) It could be that he is just feeling good. It could also be that he is in pain (have a vet check), or he might just be being a brat. Another thing to consider is how he is bucking. If he is giving a little hop on his front end, that is pretty normal. Horses may give a little buck or hop to help them elevate their front end so they can get into the canter. To find out what is causing this, have him vet checked for pain and see if he does it when you lounge him. If he doesn't do it on the ground, he is either adjusting to your weight or being a brat.

2) No tie downs!!! They don't fix the problem, they just cover it up. If it only happens once in a while, it isn't a big deal.

3) I think those ages are fine, and you can definitely start practicing the pattern at a trot now. That would be a good head start and it will give you both something fun to do.

4) Well that is good.

5) Good

6) It takes time and experience. To get him used to different places, trailer him to friend's homes, trails, public arenas, etc and ride him there. Try to ride him with strange horses sometimes. When you are at a show, try to stick to your normal routine to make it as normal as usual for him. If he is anxious, put him by a buddy or do some groundwork to keep his mind occupied. If you ever feel that he is putting himself or others in danger, remove him from the situation immediately.

1) Are you running him, or are you just loping/cantering? Because he should be able to lope first before you start really running him. Anyway, I think you're probably right to not discipline him especially because he is still quite young and doesn't really know what he's doing. If he continues, you might eventually have to start disciplining him but I think for right now I'd just wait and see if he stops himself as he becomes more used to having a rider at higher speeds.

2) Leave him without a tie down, they are like you said basically quick fix methods that don't adress the problem - he might simply be excited/nervous which will go away as he's ridden more.

3) What you're doing sounds good.

6) Just take him to small shows and don't show, let him look around, maybe work him in the warm up ring but don't show. Also, bring him a buddy most of the time :)

Good luck, he sounds really sweet :)

1. How long have you been cantering ("running") him - I mean how many times have you cantered or loped on him? Generally when a young (green) horse who's just starting out throws in a little buck at the start of the canter then goes on to canter just fine, he's done it in response to being a little bit off balance and isn't doing it out of naughtiness. I'd ignore it for now and send him well forward out of it. Sometimes if you start to make an issue out of that with a young horse, you start a whole spiral of more problems. He sounds like an honest and willing horse, so just do as I said, send him on out of the buck. Eventually he'll get his feet and balance sorted out (make sure YOUR balance is correct for the canter depart) and he'll just quit.

2. DO NOT NOT NOT use a tie down. You are right - they are a quick fix (and not a fix at all ,really) to a problem that has reasons you need to address, and solve with good seat leg and hands with a mild snaffle (a real snaffle, not a western shank) bit. I never use tie-downs.

3. I don't barrel race, but I can tell you I've worked with some sore horses who were started on barrels (running, competing) far too young and paid the price for it for the rest of their lives. I can tell you that the vertebrae in the horses' backs don't finish developing until they're 5, at least, so you shouldn't even think of anything as tough on the horse until after that time. Trotting the barrels is fine and a good way to build up fitness over time. Just don't do those tight turns on a daily basis. Or in deep sand.

4. Good

5.Good

6. It just takes time. Make sure he's tied safely - I recommend the Blocker tie ring - they're great, and make sure he can't get his foot caught in the wheel well metal edge. That's a disaster waiting to happen

Sounds like you're a thoughtful and compassionate owner and not too proud to ask questions. That's how we all learn.

That's ok that you're not cantering hi m much. Just when you ride, do your walk and trot lessons and then when he's warmed up and listening, ask for the canter. Make sure you aren't snatching him in the mouth when he starts out - because that makes a lot of young horses buck - and make sure your balance is right. When and if he throws in a buck, just send him on in the canter, and after he's cantered on quietly for a little ways, say 10 or so strides, gently bring him back to the trot for a ways, then down to the walk and reward him a lot with your voice and hands.

Also, for the anxiousness and pawing at the shows, once you make sure he's safely tied (with the blocker thing, so he won't end up flipping over or breaking his neck) and can't get a foot stuck in anything, just ignore the pawing. Once he stands quietly you can take him for a walk around the showgrounds. Whatever you do, don't untie him while he's pawing, and don't go over to pat him to try to "soothe" him - those are both actions that will reinforce the pawing anxious behaviour. Make sure he'll stand tied at home for hours on end (while you're doing other stuff nearby) first, of course.

It is very normal for a young horse to buck a lick or too when you first ask them to canter, so when riding him start out and move from the trot to the canter giving him time to warm up he will probably still buck some, then stop him and transition from a walk to a canter, the more you canter the more he will get used to you doing it and the less he will buck. After you teach the transition from walk to canter teach him to go from a stop into a canter, by the time he learns all 3 transitions so he does them almost every time he will probably stop bucking at all.

1) it sounds like he may be in pain or something. or hes just being a brat xD

2) same for the first answer, his saddle may not be fitting him right or something like that, you might want to check how his teeth are too, they could be sharp and cutting his gums. but i wouldn't get a tie down, maybe try a martingale or something :)

3) i think you could start it a little earlier than that too, just dont run too hard, and maybe try leg wraps/polo wraps to support his tendons while he's young.

4)?

5) that's great! :)

6)i would try some serious exercise before a class, like cantering a lot and really working him out of his... "freshness" xD

Good luck and have fun!!