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Why Does MyHorse Do That
By Mary Jo Zanolli
Bucking, spooking, rearing, biting, kicking - most every rider has dealt with these behaviors at some point. But "dealing with" such issues goes beyond being capable of sitting that buck or managing that spook. What is really important is the ability to think like a horse and know where the behavior is coming from, and how to prevent it.
Bucking can be as simple as a happy horse that feels good on a crisp fall morning, or as serious as a horse that is intentionally trying to unseat its rider. Bucking can stem from an ill-fitting saddle or joint discomfort in the horse’s body. Sometimes the "whys" of bucking require the input of a professional trainer, saddle fitter, or veterinarian. Other times, the answer is just that the horse has a bit of extra energy and is finding a way to express himself! The frequency, severity, and number of bucking incidents should tell a rider whether professional help is needed on not.
Sooner or later a rider is going to have to learn to sit that "spook"! Generally spooking is a horse’s honest reaction to something he considers scary. This is an inborn flight instinct within the horse. As worrisome as spooking may be for the rider, one has to realize that in the wild a horse’s flight reflex is what kept him alive! A quick spook/spin/bolt reaction is what allowed a horse to escape from predators and avoid becoming dinner. A rider may know that there is no lion lurking in the bushes, but even the most well trained domestic horse has the occasional flight reaction. Occasionally a horse is clever enough to realize that spooking is distracting enough to the rider that it becomes an evasion of its own, a way of the horse not having to work. If this happens, professional help is advised to help the rider regain confidence and control.
Rearing is probably the most dangerous habit a horse can develop, because there is the potential for a rearing horse to lose his balance and flip over on top of a rider. Rearing usually stems from a horse not wanting to move forward- the lack of desire to go forward can be from poorly fitting tack, pain associated with work, or bad training. Rearing generally requires the help of a trainer to correct, and should be dealt with accordingly.
Biting and kicking are a way of letting other horses know to leave them alone! Horses have fur and great muscle mass, so kicks and bits tend to leave superficial cuts but not do any real damage to the horse. People getting kicked and bitten, however, is generally more painful and serious. A horse with a real kicking or biting issue probably does not respect people and needs to relearn his place as a horse.
The behaviors listed above are something horse people deal with at one time or another. Bucking, spooking, rearing, kicking, and biting occasionally or infrequently is really something to be expected when one spends a lot of time around horses. These behaviors shouldn’t be exhibited on a frequent basis though. If they are, it’s time to consult a trainer, vet, or other respected equine professional to work on finding a solution.
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