In the third part of our series following young horses being produced by Richard Telford this season we meet a Highland stallion that has proved troublesome to break.

Orkneyinga Gunnar, is a six-year-old licensed stallion by Upper Drumbuie Stalker and out of Iona of Dragonmead and owned by Jackie Morris from Bedfordshire. He was bought last summer from the breeder in Orkney for Jackie's daughter Ella to ride.

However, he has proved nervous and having bucked Ella off it was decided to look for someone to school the pony on.

Gunnar arrived at Richard's Haddington yard before Christmas and although has been undergoing steady work is still not reliable.

"When he arrived he spent some time on the lunge and also long reining before I got on him," explained Richard. "He was working well for a couple of days, then buried me. So I've taken him right back to square one and had to start breaking him again.

"It appeared that he's be frightened of the height of the rider on his back and would shoot off quickly. He was also afraid of the rider getting off.

While away teaching Richard spotted a stuffed spiderman at a client's yard. It was filled with polysterene balls so was fairly light but was almost lifesize, and Richard decided to borrow this for use on Gunnar. By placing the spiderman on the pony's back when he was being worked on the lunge and long reined Richard hoped it would densenstitise Gunnar to the rider's shape.

The spiderman was tied to a roller and used for schooling.

It appears to have worked although he still goes well for three or four days, lulls you into a false sense of security before scooting off and bucking.

Riding School who kept the pony going.

It has been decided that Gunnar will stay with Richard for the season and to be shown in novice classes.

Diamond, the five-year-old Suffolk Punch mare, has been progressing well. During our visit Diamond showed that she could be used by the whole family, showing walk, trot and canter on each rein as well as popping a small course of jumps with Steven Renton.

The dun mare KiKi, by a palomino Polish warmblood stallion and out of a Kingsford show pony mare, although still slightly nervous is becoming more confident.