"Hello, I was wondering if you could help. I got my new horse in February this year and I now want to start jumping him a bit, but the problem is he goes at the fences like a mad man! I have tried walking up to fences and asking for trot a few strides out but he seems to manage to go from walk to very fast in that short space. If I approach at trot or canter he gets very fast and quite literally falls through the fence and carries on going. I have tried trotting poles in front of the jump but that just makes him worse! He is a 14yr old TB X Han but he is still fairly green for his age. Any help would be great! Thanks, Rachel."

H&C blogger and Olympic event rider Sharon Hunt replies: "Hi Rachel, I think it's a good idea to use circles not sraight lines so he can't get up too much speed; also try not to keep jumping the same fence as this will make it worse. Try not to put too much leg on and sit very quietly and - if safe! - try and jump courses at a canter as although he will most probably be quick he should settle and lots of stops and starts may make him hot up more. Go for a rhythm even if it is a little quicker than you'd ideally like and he should then learn to settle.

Best of luck with him.

Best wishes,
Sharon."