"Hi, in September I bought Magic (five-year-old ID x TB) fully aware he was very green and needed lots of handling and encouragement and time. After being with us for about eight months he now travels well and is quiet with the farrier and dentist. He is good with most traffic. He is easy to catch and is never bargy when being led or fed in the field. Would never dream of kicking or biting and is a very affectionate horse. Magic stands well to be tacked up and groomed. He is also very good at being mounted, he will always stand still and relaxed.

Over the last few months I have been building his confidence by hacking out (as we have no arena) firstly on the lead rein, then with someone walking beside us, and then with Molly (our other horse) beside him and just recently we went out on our own and he was fantastic! When we had been out with Molly and Magic at the same time, we had started cantering with him which he took in his stride.

About two weeks ago, I was mounting him in the field, Molly with rider was standing still just a few meters from us and once I got on he started bouncing about and then he stopped and then he bolted across the field, I luckily managed to stay on, and after he was fine. After walking about for a couple of minutes to calm down we walked over a raised pole (something he was used to doing) and he just clipped it with his back feet, which he doesn't normally have a problem with, and he again bolted across the field. He then did this again whilst we were just standing still. Although he didn't buck these times and I didn't fall off, I wonder if this has been the start to his recent unusual misbehaviour? After that I decided to lunge him before I rode him to burn off some energy. The more I lunged him the worse his behaviour got. He regularly becomes jumpey and spooked at little things and seemingly nothing, this then causes him to start a continuous 'bucking bronco' until I fall off! Although only 14 I already have a bad back and when it is sore it is really uncomfortable for me and I am in a lot of pain. A fall usually causes the pain to recur. I have recently lost alot of my confidence due to this and I really don't what to do next. This is putting me off riding Magic which I find very upsetting because no further work can go on and he can't get any better.

I don't think there are any underlying health issues, he is fit and has good condition. He has had his teeth checked and is completely sound.

Hope you can help! Yours, Maggie."

H&C blogger and proprietor of Contessa Riding Centre Tina Layton-Elliott BHSI replies: "Dear Maggie, thank you for your question. I’m sorry to hear you are having so much trouble with your horse. I know you mentioned that he is in good health and condition and he has had his teeth checked, but it might be worth having his back checked by a physiotherapist and getting a saddler to check his tack to make sure it is correctly fitting. If the unusual behaviour still continues then it may be an idea to get a vet to look at him and explain what is happening in case there is an underlying health issue causing him to react in this way (horses will very often ‘run away’ from pain).

Other factors to consider are that the grass will have come through now so he will be getting more energy and a change in season can sometimes cause horses to become sharper. He may also be getting fitter and stronger and need some extra work to keep him rideable. It is very important that you try not to put yourself in a dangerous situation at any time. If you are a little bit ‘over-horsed’ you may have to look for a more suitable horse to replace him. You should seek the help of a qualified instructor who can see what is going on from the ground and may be able to work through the problems you are having or make some further suggestions.
Remember also that he is a young horse and if he has been very good up to now, he may just be developing some opinions and testing the boundaries. You could try putting a more experienced rider on to see if it makes a difference.

I hope this gives you a few ideas. Good luck.

Tina."