Opinions on Uncharacteristic Behaviour

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chasingmytail

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We've had our lovely cob mare almost 3 years and she's hardly put a foot wrong in all that time. The only thing she's ever done is, a couple of times whilst hacking off-road and going for a controlled canter, she's had different ideas and gone hell for leather flat out gallop and there are no brakes!!

However, recently due to lack of time, we've found someone to ride her and she's been an absolutely nightmare. She's bolted and bucked and is generally a lot more excitable. She normally wears a Pelham but when she was going out for an off-road hack yesterday I wanted to make sure she had brakes so put her in Dutch Gag. It made no difference to "the brakes" and she bucked her rider off and headed off for home - fortunately there was a gate in the way so she stayed safe and was caught and the rider was ok.

She doesn't display this behaviour in the school which suggests to me there's nothing wrong with her back and her teeth were rasped last month.

The only explanations I can think of are: the rider has a "hot seat" or rides in a way which winds her up, but she appears to be a gentle, calm rider, is there something in the grass or does she have more pent-up energy as now in at night? Feed wise she only has a handful of original chaff and some carrots + Global Herbs Skratch and couple of haynets.

Opinions or thoughts very much appreciated, thanks.
 
As above, what happens when you ride her?

I have a super calm cob who will get rilled up if you kick and hold onto his mouth, so horses do react differently to different riders.
 
carrots can send them loopy!!
i bet you told the rider what an angel she was didnt you? its sods law, they love to make liars out of us, just go round telling everyobe how mad and untamable she is, then she'l be a darling! ;)
 
No, we haven't as this has only happened in the last 7 days but my daughter intends to tomorrow so we'll see how she behaves then. If she's the same I'm going to get her back and saddle checked.
 
I would have thought a pelham would be better than a dutch gag for control, it may be that she did not like the bit, the lack of curb chain may have allowed her to take hold and get her head down, possibly the rider does get her more lit up or needs to learn how to prevent the horse taking charge before it gets out of hand.
A girl that used to ride out for me seemed to always be one step behind the horse so although she was a calm quiet rider the horses would not be that confident in her and sometimes take advantage.
 
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