"Hi, we are in a pickle. We bought a fab new native pony for my daughter at the beginning of August. The first four weeks were fab, then health issues arose including an infected sheath and then bloods showed that he had worm damage. He had more treatment, and then he still wasn't right and we discovered ulcers at the entrance to the stomach. Four weeks of Gastrogard and light work.

Prior to coming to us, he had lived in a competition yard and had been fed competition mix, oils and was only out for a maximum of four hours a day and produced to sell by a 12 stone adult. Since living with us, he is out 9am to 6pm, but since the discovery of his ulcers, he's now out all the time and rugged with the option of a stable if he wants it. He has gone from full work to 30 minutes, five days a week. Two weeks ago we brought him back into full work. He started kicking up like he had when he had the sheath infection so we sent him to boot camp with our trainer. After five days there he's perfect for an adult but not my daughter. He's been fine when riding him at the trainer's yard, with very few bucks, but after a recent camp, he's started bucking and napping backwards. He's fine if an adult gets on.

On advice from our trainer, when he naps or bucks, my daughter just sits there and asks nothing and tells him how fab he is. This confuses him no end and after an hour of this only at walk she puts him to bed. I am at a loss, as he is fab and my daughter's brave and keen to sort this out. My daughter is a very light but solid rider. The pony has been schooled to medium dressage." Jerry

H&C blogger and three day eventer Sharon Hunt replies: "Hi Jerry, it sounds as though there are a few things going on. Firstly, I have a horse with ulcers so know all about these. We can't feed him cereals at all, he has one scoop of sugar beet (unmolassed), 1/2 Alfa-A stud balancer and various additives and so far so good. Also haylage, and as you say out as much as possible. He also has Gastrogard daily which is reduced to a 1/4 off season. The napping sounds as though he's taking advantage of your daughter, as he is good with others. However, I think it sounds as though you're heading in the right direction by not pressuring him. I always believe horses should want to go and not be forced. Therefore, I would quite often pat something that's not moving and almost 'kid' them along. If he'll follow out hacking then do lots of that, and you can school him on the roads. Maybe just try not to put so much emphasis on schooling and try and make it more fun and forward.

Sharon."