"Hi there, I hope you may be able to help by posting my question to the right person, I am desperate for some advice. I am currently eight months pregnant and not riding my horse. I got a sharer about five months ago who is genuinly great - she treats my horse very well and in the same manner I would so not letting her get away with things that I wouldnt, she is soft in the hand, lightweight and gentle but firm at the same time. My horse is a 13-year-old mare who I have owned since she was three, she was always a very sensible horse and the sort you could trust to be sensible 99 per cent of the time.

I have done more with her over the last four years and she has changed from a lazy horse to a bit more forward going and a good jumper. In the last two years she has become quite mareish and a little more unpredictable. I have had her on a hormone calmer called equilibrium but with my sharer says she has got really quite naughty out hacking - very forwards, particularly rushing to get home, launching forwards trying to bolt and generally being horrible. My sharer does not scare easily and she has ridden some difficult horses in her time but what is throwing her and me is the unpredictability - my horse can go from being chilled and calm to being spooky and rushing, bolting in the space of five seconds.

I have had her teeth, back and saddle checked, I haven't gone down the path of any vet tests yet beacuse I dont know where to guide my vet, but am getting quite desperate for help - I don't want an unruly horse to get back on when I come back into riding after giving birth - I dont want to be scareed and more to the point I don't want my sharer or horse to get hurt in the meantime.

Can you suggest anyone who might be able to help me eliminate further reasons or suggest what I should do next - I have considered turning her away for a while but don't know how this would help other than one less thing for me to worry about while looking after my new baby and that seems a bit of a cop out really.

All help and advice greatfully received. Kind regards, Katy."

H&C blogger and Olympic eventer Sharon Hunt replies: "Hi Katy, hmmm - without seeing the horse it is pretty difficult but I would say it's important to check that you're not feeding her too much, and make sure she is getting good turn out where possible; you could also try Regumate if she is marish but at this time of year it won't make too much difference. It is like the pill and stops bad hormones! It's also worth keeping in mind that as mares are very sensitive - no one other than me can ride or do mine - it could be an idea to try someone else on her to see if same thing happens. Horses usually change for a reason and it might be worth a consulting a vet, but check management first.

Best of luck with her.

Best wishes,
Sharon."