>>> I should add she is not bucking...really hard, just more like hopping, if that makes some sense? She did it when I rode bareback and I could easily stay on.
I'd like to hear what others say, but my gut feeling is the intensity of the buck may not be so terribly relevant. I don't think Tivar ever did more than a minor buck (he's the one who responded so well to the ulcer treatment), and I'm pretty sure he never bucked hard enough to dump anyone. On the other hand, I think Gracie is still batting 1000 - anytime she ever bucked, the rider ate dirt. Thank goodness she hasn't bucked at all since the acupuncture treatment set her straight. (One note: I had two acupuncture treatments done on Tivar, but honestly, I couldn't see any effect at all from them, while the effect on Gracie after one single treatment was jaw-dropping.) And Loftur, who had the worst case of stoic, stored-up pain I've ever seen, didn't buck at all. He would suck it up and suck it up until he couldn't cope at all, then apparently he'd bolt. (We never let it get that far here, so I've never seen him come close to bolting.) >>> I have owned her for 8 weeks now and I think maybe because I have taken her opinion on several occasion maybe she feels she can tell me in a louder way that she is hurting as she knows I won't get after her. She was what I call glazed over when I first got her. Now she is beginning to come up to me and ask very politely for scratches and attention. I know what you mean about some horses being "glazed over." I'm glad she's opening up for you. Sounds like you're on a good path. Good luck and keep us informed! And stay safe. :) Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
