In brief - four-year old horse bought last year. After tanking off and being quite "wild" he was initially diagnosed with acute osteoarthritis - but nowhere near severe as initial diagnosis. Had course injections, steroids, cartrophen and tildren drip six months ago and then last week. On and off work due to weather but managed walk/trot dressage test and a few clear rounds. Also, hacking out quite nicely. Just bringing back into work, going well but taking it slowly as had last meds last week. Since then he's been over a few x-poles, been schooled by me and instructor (yesterday). V happy with him until the rodeo ride today. Was doing canter poles and instructor advised to take forwards position - I tend to sit back too much, v old fashioned, I'm told. As soon as went into forwards position he dashed off, I lost control and probably balance and he proceeded to bronk from A round to C (according to my instructor it was a rodeo). I came off at C. I couldn't get his head up and kick on as it was rammed between his knees - maybe someone stronger and more experienced would have done. My instructor was gob smacked and says she's only ever seen two horses do that - both now unrideable. Am absolutely gutted, I sat a lot of them but my instructor said he just wanted me off. So, anyone any advice as am gutted. It was going so well. I got back on him but instructor said his eyes were quite wild so just walked and then trotted on yard. Plan is to hack him tomorrow and then do 15 mins in school with instructor. she says if he does it again we need to get in a work rider as, understandably, she doesn't want to get on him and he mustn't be allowed to get into this habit. It's very dangerous. Am so p'd off as he just seemed to lose the plot completely - previously he'd tank off but is this his new trick? Was it the forward seat that upset him? Am flummoxed. He's not a nasty horse but is VERY sensitive and was put through too much too young as a four-year old jumping in Ireland. Wonder whether it sparked something off? Also, his back was done about three weeks ago before his latest course of medication and he's been absolutely fine up until today. Sorry so long and thanks for any input. I landed okay but slightly on my shoulder which I'm having MRI scanned next week so a bit of a pain.
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Mmm does sound like a mystery. At least if it's totally out of character it's more likely to be a one-off? Perhaps he heard something you didn't or something like that? Mine does sudden bucks in the air (though more like a straight up lipizzaner type thing so not as unseating), and mostly I can see absolutely no reason for it so often wonder if he's heard something that's startled him.
I was hoping no one would ask me how dhorse is doing. I confess I haven't sat on him since the end of November 
. I just keep putting it off although I have ridden sis's bronco and had regular lessons on a pony much livelier than him so I'm not sure why. My sister has taken him out a few times and he's been good although even she finds him very strong.
The constant rain and wind and the fact that I have to spend about an hour scraping mud off him really doesn't give me much enthusiasm to ride atm I must say. If we had a school of some kind it would be different I'm sure because I could potter about at my own pace a bit. Am weighing up pros and cons of moving him in the spring.
We are in Sussex, and what you are suggesting is exactly what I did last year. He and I moved to another yard for five weeks and as it is the yard where my instructor keeps her horses I had as many lessons as I could afford and then rode out with her as well when she exercised hers. I started off practically in tears at riding him up the lane (and begging to be allowed to get off ) to riding him all the way back to our own place at the end of it (instructor/friend accompanied me on her pony and then rode all the way back which was lovely of her).
When we got home I rode him out and my mum commented on how much more relaxed I was on him, then he got his face badly burnt on wild parsnip and was out of action for the rest of the summer. Cue all my new-found confidence evaporating like mist! 
I did ride him a bit before the bad weather came but then we had the snow and that was it really.
Anyway, I'm planning to do the same this summer, hopefully for a bit longer, have started saving now as I will still have to pay the rent on our field as well as find money for lessons. Luckily the dcs haven't noticed yet how many of their toys are on ebay.
If I hadn't seen an improvement last year I would be seriously considering selling him as he's being wasted but what happened was pure bad luck and I feel we deserve another chance. He is a lovely horse and I actually do know I'm capable of riding him if only I could get over my fear so I think if I sell him now I will end up regretting it.
Sorry to ramble on on your thread! I hope your shoulder is ok.
Like Mitchy said it could have been the poles. Do you ever lunge him over poles to get him more used to them? My instructor has a mare that goes absolutely potty if she tries to take her over poles, she actually put her in hospital once (had to be airlifted to London hospital and doesn't remember a thing about it).
There are a few pics on my profile. Top one is of him in the snow with his lovely thick rug before it got stolen 
, the one below was taken last summer when we were at the other yard. Everyone was very impressed by his beauty, I could easily have sold him then!
Oh dear, terrible boasting, of course I'm biased but someone actually described him as magnificent so I'm justified.
if this is rodeo support thread can I add a 
that my horse did it twice on a hack yesterday and he never ever ever bucks or rears unless in pain or sees something seriously scary (hosepipe in hedge) - it was hilarious but no idea what prompted it, other than he'd seen the pony doing it in the same places a few days earlier. Maybe there is a sign visible only to horses that says 'rodeo here'
Thank you. 
Not so magnificent atm though! Honestly you should see the state of him, he's got more hair than a woolly mammoth.
Ah you see some of us nervous types are actually better at staying on as we are so desperate not to hit the floor. 
It's annoying isn't it when you know they have talent but they are also lethal! My sister's pony has done very well with previous owners (we've never taken him to anything), including 3rd at the Royal Welsh as a foal, championships at county shows, cross-country etc. He was also a fab little driving pony for a disabled lady so he can do all these things but has to spoil it by doing the rodeo impressions. I suppose none of them are perfect, (except my darling angel dshetland.)
Well it sounds as if you are doing the right thing getting the suicidal nutter work rider in. If he or she is used to riding maniacs they should hopefully have some idea whether it is pure bad behaviour or has another cause. And thanks, , when are we going to see a picture of your boy?
Btw, my instructor would get on, she rides anything, I sometimes think she has a death-wish. I suspect she is closely related to Mitchy in some way!
Mitchy, have you thought of driving your future field ornament? The lady who owns our shetland used to have a welshie who was unrideable as he bronced everyone off and had been through several homes. Then someone thought of driving him and he was a reformed character. Same with sis's pony, can be a little devil under saddle but never bucked in harness. Just a thought before you start experimenting with colour schemes.
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