Q: Why does my pony buck in canter transitions?

A: Ponies buck for many reasons, but pain or discomfort is the most common and important to rule out. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is get your pony checked out by a vet and make sure his saddle fits correctly. Back pain and issues with the sacroiliac are common causes of bucking, so your vet will want to rule these out. Similarly, a tight saddle could be pinching him as he goes into the canter, which will lead to him bucking in response.

If your vet and saddle fitter are both happy that pain is not the issue, then the best way to prevent your pony from bucking in the transition is to keep him moving forwards. Ensure that you are not pulling back on the reins when he picks up canter because this could cause frustration and prevent him from moving into the canter as he needs to. Instead, you want to soften your hands and gently encourage him forwards. This should reduce the chance of bucking!

Another option is to go into canter on a 20-metre circle to help you keep control. This encourages a correct transition and maintains the bend, which may help to avoid the buck.

We can also highly recommend using a neck strap while you get to the bottom of the issue!