Easier said than done! Especially if you are riding a tall, athletic horse whose intention is test you. Oh yeah, there's no horn on a dressage saddle.
Yes, Novice! I was violently bucked off into a wall almost 2 weeks ago. A 17.2 Thoroughbred gelding who is plenty healthy (and a dressage saddle as well). I've ridden out bucking horses several times in the past, and I was sticking on this one, except that he went to the wall and turned to the left. OMG. Great advice here, but not sure it would have helped. Nonetheless, good tips.
Ya know, this may be all and good for a trainer, but when you are actually in the mist of a bucking, you aren't going to remember to do all these things you just said. I am really sure about that as I have trained many young horses. You just have to remember the one thing you mentioned.. Turn the horses head.
What do you do if your horse bucks and you do NOT have a saddle on? Besides falling on my butt in the cold snow. lol
Not everyone rides Western. I ride with a hunter/jump saddle so there is no 'horn' to push on. Where's your helmet?
Where the head goes the body will follow. Tip the nose disengage front end drive forward. I hate a horse that bucks but they are out there everywhere
I hope I can remember all of these great tips. I will remember "Tom's" tip. Where the head goes the body will follow.
Not so easier when your horse is a bucking bronco. And sometimes it's safer to bail. The two worst injuries I've had are from bucking horses and from staying on too long. You can be injured even if you're still on the horse. Get off if you're out of control and/or if you're bareback.
First of all..where is your helmet? You have offered some good ideas such as: relax, stop gripping tightly with your legs and being careful if you are wearing spurs - I once learned that lesson as my one horse was into his 10th buck with no end in sight until I removed the spurs which were dug into his sides & stopped gripping for dear life (to stay on) and gave intermittent upward jabs on the reins to bring his head upwards until he ended his outburst. You spoke often of bending but it really comes down to - what is your horse doing beneath you? Would it be of greater interest to address: what are the different types of buck a horse might take, i.e. what is the horse actually doing with their body while bucking and then discuss courses of action. I had 1 horse who used to buck upwards & then flip her hips sideways - always interesting to try to stay with; I landed everywhere on her neck, just about between her ears,1/2 off her side, etc, etc you name it I landed there (but never fell off), bending her would never have been and option. Another 'sweet' fellow of mine an athletic thoroughbred off the track, would take huge leaps forward (you essentially just had to keep your seat aligned with him and pull his head up - to which he would get over his outbursts and we would continue our ride as if nothing had ever happened). My now 30 year old Connemara -Thb X, in his younger years would leap upwards like a rabbit (it was said he once went 10 feet in the air while I was launched another 5') and my present big guy, a Holsteiner (17h2 and as athletic as all) who lets face it, I'm not going to win with under ANY circumstance when he throws a tizzy fit..I dismount post haste! I personally think having a horn in front of me would be a hindrance if not dangerous of being smashed into my gut, but this discussion is not about riding styles. From my past experience bringing a horses head up has been the number 1 key to getting the horse out of a buck (as well as having mentioned to not stiffen or grip so tightly you add to frenzy). And one thing you didn't mention is, if it isn't a bee sting, exuberance, etc. is there any causes you might discover as to why the horse is bucking such as ill fitting tack, medical reason, etc., etc. Lastly, I would have liked to hear address 'staying safe'! No one needs to prove anything to anyone - if you feel you need to bail out..do it. Better safe than the alternative!