Hi breathourk. Thank you for rescuing your OTTB! Also, thank you for sharing your challenge here. What did your vet say after a thorough examination of his back etc. ?
So many things can be hurting your horse so please eliminate all those things first from Kissing Spine to ill fitting equipment. 

Hi breathourk,
I think you are very brave to take on and keep caring for Eclipse. I can tell you love him very much. And good for you not putting winning and ribbons in the first room! In my mind that says you're a very wise horse person, especially for your age. :)

It's hard to give advice without seeing him or you two together. You say " my trainer has tried all sorts of stuff to get him to behave " , but that doesn't hep me much since I don't know what she did specifically or what exactly happened. So I may say things you've already tried.

First, I will repeat what Debbie said. Get him, and your equipment, thoroughly checked by a professional!

Secondly; ask the horse!
I don't mean verbally of course, ;) but have you tried long lining him at all three gaits to see how he behaves and moves without a rider on?
If he moves freely without fuss (disregarding kicking up his feet with excess energy at the beginning), then try with the saddle on.
If that works, try side reins that asks him to lower his head a bit and puts more demand on his hind legs. Discomfort can very well come from the croup or hip area.

Third: how are your own riding skills? At 14 your body is changing with the growing going on and balance and posture - not just in a saddle, although riding does help a good deal to train your body - can change or be hard to maintain, and thoroughbreds can be sensitive. If you tense up at the canter, anticipating a buck, you may just get what you expect out of him.

That brings me to a very important thing to consider. If I understand this correctly, he is a thoroughbred race horse that was abused, so maybe he connects being ridden at a canter with that?
I'm also thinking all the riding cues may be different and your position compared with that of a jockey is also different. All that could com into play here.
Do you ride English or Western style?

If everything checks out fine and the canter remains a mystery, maybe just be very patient with him and keep doing very good work at trot and walk, building strength, balance and confidence in the both of you and give him opportunity to go into canter when he is ready?

Sorry for the long response! Hope some of can be of help to you.

Best of luck and hang in there! (But please be careful and don't risk your life and health for him!!!)

Dear Breathourk,
Thank you for giving the forum a chance to help your situation.  My first suggestion would be to re-read everything that has been said thusfar in this thread, and how it has been said, so that you might reach for the the exact meaning of what each of these folks wanted to communicate to you.  This is really GOOD advice.  I have always found that our written words speak volumes as to where our thinking really lies when we describe our problems.  So, I would suggest that you re-read your own commentary, also.  Then, I would find the time to discuss this whole scenario with your parents.  If you could get them to help you formulate a plan for your horse, it would create a win-win and possibly keep you safe.

It sounds like your horse has been abused on many many fronts.  This happened at the track and then afterward, while in your care, in the barn that wasn`t feeding him on a regular basis.  When a horse is kept in an environment where he has to depend on a human for his primal care and that care doesn`t happen, he will grab moments during his day, to express exactly how he is feeling.  The more that this happens, the more extreme his behavior could become.  Caring for abused horses can be a 24-7 project because of the many aspects [physically and mentally,emotionally].  The trust needs to REBORN.  The Thorobred is regarded as physical marvel in the horse world.   His physicality operates on a highly charged emotional edge when all things are working in an orderly fashion.  To own one of these marvels takes extreme thoughtful, loving, LEADERSHIP on the part of the human.  This LEADERSHIP needs to be constant and consistent.  I would strongly suggest that you be there for your horse on a daily basis regardless of the inconvenience.  Show him that you can be a SOFT LEADER while mending the brokeness of his world with the human being..  This will take some time to develop, but it is such GOOD WORK.  If you choose to take this project on, it could color your world for the rest of your life.

I would suggest not getting on this horse`s back until you have had a chance to work with him on some of the ground exercises that we share on this forum as they are designed to build relationship and trust.  You can find these exercises within the different posts that people like yourself ask for ideas to help their horses overcome problems.  Almost all of these problems can be classed into the area of LEADERSHIP TO BUILD TRUST

Please stay safe,

Bud

Hi Breathourk. Welcome to the forum. The first change needs to be your views & your trainers views on bucking - he's communicating with you, not being naughty. This horse has an issue, or maybe more than one. Eclipse may have physical pain, be bored, be on the wrong food, be enthusiastic. I agree with all that has already been suggested but there are a couple of other points I'd like to make. Racehorses are on a 'conveyor belt' of routine care but often get little 'quality time' with humans. Spend time with him just appreciating him for who he is, stroking, rubbing & scratching him, talking in an almost whisper. In short, if you love him take the time to show him that love. You can get an indication of spinal wellbeing by putting your forefinger on his withers, with your thumb & second fingers either side of his spine, pressing firmly but gently & running this pressure along his back. Watch his body language, his ears, head & eyes. He may even dip his back when you reach a problem point. This may give you an insight into where further investigations are required. Does Eclipse get daily turned out in a bully free pasture where he can relax & enjoy freedom? When he's stabled is he next to horses he likes & gets on with? Take a careful look at his diet - it's a huge factor. Check his tack, all of it not just the saddle & his teeth. Finally, thoroughbreds are bred solely to be an athlete. All his racing life, but not necessarily on a daily basis, his rider has dropped their hands & in a safe environment, said GO. Perhaps, if everything else checks out, he's just missing the thrill, the adrenaline rush. I know show horses need to carry more flesh but remember a galloping horse can't buck - he'd fall over & horses are too smart to risk that. You've not mentioned doing Join up. Study the lessons on the Uni, take Monty's weekly challenge & earn the accreditations. Most of all, take your time, be sure Eclipse is healthy, happy & confident with YOU. But in order for that to happen you need to be confident with HIM. So, back to the basics, fully investigate why Eclipse is unhappy with his current situation because once he is happy the two of you can have a fantastic time together. Cheers. Jo.

This has been very good advice from all of the above,especially about you taking the on-line university course that Monty offers,there is nothing like it anywhere else that I've seen. Although, the rest work in somewhat a simular manner the rest also have their little ways that I do not agree with. I haven't seen one yet that helps a horse to learn in such a gentle soft spoken way that they also understand and are willing to learn in as they are with Monty he's the real thing!! Have fun and stay safe as well!!

Hi Jo;  You have taken our suggestions and advice to a whole different level with your writing and thoughts.  What pure insight into a whole world of problems for the OTTB horse.  My hope would be that Elclipse would be introduced to a world of consistent love and respect with the right kind of leadership.

AWESOME ,    
Bud

I've been on work experience with the vets this week, 3 horses we saw showed behaviour issues bucking included. All had something wrong with their backs. If the behaviour changes, as all say about the horse is trying to tell you something. 
Mel
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