Horse Bucks on Landing

[Hanoverian12]

I’m wondering if anyone has ever dealt with a similar case as mine. I have a lovely 10 yr old mare that often bucks on the landing sides on fences, mostly at home but at shows also. She is fierce, sensitive, athletic and an amazing even mover. Super sound and powerful, total warhorse at shows.

I have vetted extensively, back X-rays, stifles hocks, fetlocks down to feet. She has a small spur on c6 that we think she’s had since before I got her that hasn’t caused issues, and she also is missing an extensor ligament (on the front of the leg) of the right hind - also from an injury at 2. Saddle fits good and checked regularly. She had the left ovary removed due to a tumour and I thought the bucking would improve after ovariectomy but it has not.

She is so lovely sound, my osteopath and chiro praises her condition and body feel, and honestly my vet does not seem worried about it at the moment as she’s always been this way

So for the bucking - it is not after every fence, usually when she has to make a big effort/something that is hard for her like compressing as she is a big and long gal. She lands from the fence and has a little kick or 2 then carries on. I’ve done bute trial and it did not make a difference.

She’s jumping sucessfully at 1.25m+

She is so lovely and such a trier, so often trainers and vets point to personality and unless I’m in the market for a MRI/Bone scan I’ve ruled out most things I can afford at this point.

So, wondering if anyone has encountered a the same situation as above, and what was the result of it. Whether injury uncovered, personality or some other finding. People always compare her to Rothschild who performed similar but I’m just curious to hear others cases

[Alterrain]

Look up videos of Vitus K.

[nutmeg]

I used to work for a rider that had a very happy warrior of a 1.50 horse. At least two episodes of buck/squeal/unmentionable during every round. He just seemed excessively proud of himself. Evidently his father was the same way. He went on for years with no issue.

[GraceLikeRain]

Out of curiosity have you tried front pads for a cycle? If everything looks great on X Ray it may not be helpful but my mare can have good sole depth but still be a little tender in practice. She’s also big and long and I could see potentially a bigger effort creating some sting that she protests to in the backside.

Also, kudos for rabbit holing. So many people opt into behavioral but it sounds like you’re really trying to dig as much as resources allow and be thorough.

[Lusoluv]

Do you have an experienced helper that can help you run the horse through a jump chute? It would be interesting to see if she does this with no one on her back? That info could tell you something.

[luvmyhackney]

@Hanoverian12

small spur on c6

My guess is that when she compresses some weird nerve pain happens, and it only happens sometimes. Have you ever tried injecting the c6?

It could also be the feet or could be a happy buck. What do people on the ground say?

[findeight]

Just a thought but maybe she might be telling you those big efforts are just too much and she may be happier a bit lower and not such a wide spread?

I know many say shes just being exuberant but…may she is trying to tell you something.

[eclipse]

Have you checked for ulcers? My gelding was amazing 95% of the time but when he was having an ulcer flare, he would buck on landing and usually around 20 to 50 mins after starting (vet figured it was the stomach acid sloshing around!)….he had chronic ulcers and pyloric ulcers that caused delayed gastric emptying and we were able to keep him for 10 yrs longer than the vet thought he’d live!