"Hi, I have a huge dilemma. I own an Irish Sports horse called Monty , he stands 17.2hh.

H&C's riding expert Jenny Rudall replies:

“Hi Lydia, I am sorry to hear about your accident; it sounds like you have been very brave and I admire your determination to want to ride again.

Firstly I would be foolish to recommend you to jump on Monty and start riding him round as he is a big, inexperienced boy and, although he sounds like you do have a great relationship, he does have a rear in him and that is always a worry.

I do however appreciate that there is going to be no stopping you (as I would be the same) so it is a matter of how do we get you back on as safely as possible.  I think you have to know your limits and it sounds like although Monty has been backed late he has potential, and this is something that with any horse should always be fulfilled.

If you trust this rider in Cornwall then get her to formulate a plan and training scheme with you to get Monty in to some sort of routine and this can stabilise his behaviour and give him a work ethic. Alternatively, contact a good trainer and ask them to help you. It is important she gets him used to any situation so he is not doing this when you are on board and I think it is important you are on the ground watching and helping.  If you are able build up a relationship with Monty on the lunge or get your friend to train him on the lunge with a rider as this may be a way you can ride him later on.  I would suggest that when you ride him at first you do so at the end of his sessions with your friend, so he is a bit tired and more likely to stay calm.  Build yourself up slowly and know your limits, if the weather is bad or he has been off work for a few days always err on the side of caution no matter how much you want to ride. Have your friend there as well when you ride just in case, and Monty will love having his two riders around telling him how wonderful he is.  I think you just have to be sensible and safe and build up a routine with the three of you working together as a team.  It seems Monty is lucky to have you as his owner and I see no reason you should sell him or put him on loan if you can find someone who will work with you and you trust.  Don’t try and do this on your own and good luck.  I would love to know how you get on and give Monty a carrot from the H&C team.

Jenny.”

He is not fully backed yet and is aged about eight years. I have been involved in a car crash four years ago, this has affected my ability to walk any great distance and if I take plenty of painkillers can on a good day get through my day. The nerves in my back and legs have also been effected. I have recently moved my horses to another yard and everyone there keeps telling me to sell him. I want to be  able to get on him and ride him around the outdoor school. On the yard now they think I would be mad to do this in case he rears and I come off and I could be crippled for life. The only time he has ever reared is when he is trying to be loaded or when one of the girls on the yard was willing to work him and she had him on so much contact and way too tight that he reared. They thought he was a lunatic horse but I know him better and he's not. I have long reined him from being a young horse, with my grandson on his back with his dad walking alongside, I have ridden him up a lane with my daughters horse in front, my son-in-law and daughter have also ridden him indoors. I have always vowed never to sell Monty, he was seriously ill and was given 50/50 chance of surviving when he was four, the vet thought it could possibly have been ragwort poisoning, he lost almost overnight all his body mass and it took him well over two years to get back to normal.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to hearing from you with any suggestions. I have thought momentarily of  putting him out on loan so someone could bring him on and event him. I am moving back to Cornwall where my family have moved back to and I know there is someone who is willing to ride him and take him cross country and she knows him very well. Money is not the issue, my animals come way before I do. Please help!

Many thanks
Lydia."