"I have a six-year-old 16.1hh Appaloosa X mare and in the summer she tried to jump the gate out of the field from really close for no apparent reason. She only got one leg over, then pulled back. All the horses were in with her, it wasn't raining and everything was as normal - just like any other day. Since then she hadn't done it again until today. When one of the geldings had been taken out to be schooled in the menage, she ran at the gate, jumped it, and cleared it! I am really worried now that this will become a really bad habit with her, especially now she knows she can get out. She used to jump out of her stable so we had to put a grill on the door but what can I do to stop her doing it in the field? Bearing in mind I am on a livery yard so there are limits as to what I can do - please help, any ideas greatly appreciated!" Natalie Shields

H&C blogger and professional event rider Sharon Hunt replies: "Hi Natalie, this is quite straight forward I think. I would put some electric fencing about four feet from the gate so it is too far to jump, but not too far that she jumps both separately! The gate must be able to be easy to open and close."