Bucking is a movement performed by an animal in which it lowers its head and raises its hindquarters into the air while kicking out with the hind legs.[1] It is most commonly seen in herbivores such as equines, cattle, deer, goats, and sheep. Most research on this behavior has been directed towards horses and cattle.[2]
Bucking can vary in intensity from the animals' slight elevation of both hind legs, to lowering their head between their front legs, arching their back, and kicking out several times.[1] Originally, it was predominantly an anti-predator and play behavior, but with domestication, it is now also a behavioral issue in riding horses,[2] and a desired behavior in bucking horses and bulls.[3] If powerful, it may unseat or even throw off a rider, and can seriously injure either animal, rider, or both.[2]
- ^ a b Mills, D. S.; McDonnell, S. M.; McDonnell, Sue (March 10, 2005). The Domestic Horse: The Origins, Development and Management of Its Behaviour. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521891134.
- ^ a b c Starling, Melissa; McLean, Andrew; McGreevy, Paul (February 23, 2016). "The Contribution of Equitation Science to Minimising Horse-Related Risks to Humans". Animals. 6 (3): 15. doi:10.3390/ani6030015. ISSN 2076-2615. PMC 4810043. PMID 26907354.
- ^ "Memorial University Libraries - Proxy Login". login.qe2a-proxy.mun.ca. Retrieved November 16, 2019.