What to Do When a Horse Is Bucking in the Round Pen

A round pen is a valuable training tool for any horse owner, and it can be a particularly good place to train young horses. By moving the horse to a smaller and more confined space, the trainer can focus the animal's attention on the task at hand and avoid many of the distractions that can occur when training in a larger arena. Even so, it is important to maintain that focus and prevent bad habits--like bucking--from taking hold.

  1. Consider Turnout Level

    • If your horse bucks in the round pen it is important to consider the amount of turnout he has had in the past several days. If you are working your horse in the winter and he has been cooped up in the stall for the last couple of months, it is normal for him to throw off a couple of playful bucks when he is first turned out in the round pen. If the horse appears to be bucking as a way to blow off steam and work off some energy, there is nothing to worry about. If the bucking continues for more than a few minutes, or if the horse bucks under saddle, it is important to isolate the cause and deal with it.

    Look for Signs of Pain

    • One of the most common causes of bucking in an otherwise placid horse is pain, so it is always important to look for signs of discomfort if your horse suddenly starts to buck in the round pen. Remove the saddle and saddle pad and carefully examine them for sharp edges or pinch points. Sometimes a saddle pad will bunch up under the saddle as the horse moves and put pressure on the lower back. This pressure can often cause a horse to buck, especially if that horse is very sensitive to pressure.

      Try longing or working the horse in the round pen without tack to see if that alleviates the bucking. If the horse bucks with the saddle on but not when the saddle is removed, chances are that the tack does not fit properly. Remove the saddle and put it back in place, taking care that the saddle is properly positioned and that the girth is neither undertightened nor overtightened.

    Move the Horse

    • If the horse continues to buck even after pain and discomfort have been ruled out as causes, it is important to deal effectively with the misbehavior. Every time the horse bucks, immediately stop him and bring him to the center of the round pen. Then ask him to move out, directing his movements with a lunge whip. Change directions often to keep the horse's mind and body engaged. Any attempts to buck should result in more exercises of this type, until the horse learns that it is easier to move out at the requested gait without bucking.