The question

"Hi, I have a nine-year-old Quarter horse mare that I have owned for two years. She is my first horse and I would consider myself an advanced beginner.

We have spent a lot of time together taking lessons and she was part of a 60 day training project last fall. She is a great horse and has been very patient with me for the past two years. Though she can be 'mareish' at times, she’s a good girl.

We do a lot of trail riding and she’s been exposed to many different things. She’s not a spooky horse and she doesn’t have any vices. The weather had been bad so we hadn’t ridden in two weeks. We finally got a chance to get out and headed for the trail. She was great at the start and then we turned around to head back. I put her into a canter and she put her head down like she was going to buck. She didn’t and I was able to get her head up and retain control. I eventually stopped her and we walked for a bit. I asked for the canter again, but then without me asking, she went into fifth gear and gave three good, hard bucks. I stayed on, got her head back and got her stopped, but she was fussy the rest of the way back. This horse has NEVER done this before. In the two years I have had her she hasn’t bucked like that.  

I noticed after we returned to the stable that she was a little tight moving to the left. I have the chiropractor coming out this week to check her for any soreness. I did ride in the arena the next day after some extensive ground work and she was an angel. Any ideas what might have caused this bucking fit? Could she have just been hungry and a little barn sour? Thanks, Sue."

The answer

H&C's riding expert Jenny Rudall replies: “Hi Sue, thanks for your email and I hope I can help.  Firstly one of the reasons I love horses is that they surprise us on a daily basis and no matter how long you own them they, can show you a new side to their character.

My obvious answer would to firstly get the back, teeth etc. checked but it sounds like you are already putting that into action. The other answer I think stems from the two weeks off. That is a long time for a horse to be out of work and I think your mare was just expressing her excitement about how good she feels about life, although why they have to bring their back feet up to show us their delight with life is beyond me. 

I have worked with several horses who I would not dare to sit on without a lunge first if they have been out of work for even a few days. It may just be the case that you lunge her or exercise her in the school before cantering her in the open where she is likely to get excited. The colder weather is also a factor with some horses and a chill in the air can make a horse more on its toes.

When a horse is off work it is also important that you cut down their hard feed, so that you can reduce the risk of stored up energy.

I hope this helps and please let us know how you get on, and I hope your mare keeps all four feet closer to the ground in future.

Jenny.”