HELP! How do I stop my pony bucking after jumps?

5
Mar
2010

HELP! How do I stop my pony bucking after jumps?

Ellen Whitaker's Ladina B often bucks between jumps

"Hello, I'd like to ask you a small question that I really need answering by an expert! Whenever I jump my pony, even if it's just a tiny jump, he'll put his head down and bronk me off. This has happened to me for a few months, and has really knocked my confidence when jumping him. Are there any ways I could prevent him bronking or putting his head down?
Thanks for your help, yours sincerely, Holly"

"Dear Holly,

Thank you for your question.

The first thing to check (if you haven’t already) is that he is happy and comfortable in all his equipment. It is very important that the saddle is well fitted in case it is causing him any pain over the fence, so you could get a saddler to check. His back may be sore, making it difficult for him to comfortably make a shape over the fence; in that case you might like to get a physiotherapist to check him.

Make sure his teeth are ok (although this doesn't usually cause bucking) and that you have a well fitting bridle. Look at the type of bit you are jumping him in, as some bits will encourage a more upright head carriage. You want to avoid a bit that is easy for him to lean on, or to get his head down in. If you are not already, I would suggest riding him in a running martingale (if only to have something extra to hold onto!)

Sometimes these problems stem from a lack of experience or a learnt habit. If it is a learnt habit then try and get some help with your position, so that he cannot unseat you every time. He may then learn that it is a waste of time to be silly as you are going to stay on. Make sure you are riding him positively, especially if he is inexperienced. Try and get some help from a qualified instructor if the problem is a lack of experience. You could also try putting a more experienced rider on him, just to see if he plays up less.

You could also try working over poles and doing small grids to focus his attention on the next fence rather than just the excitement of a single jump. Sometimes two smaller fences on a circle are a good way of eliminating the straight line effect where he is able to pick up momentum.

Hope this helps.
Tina"