sudden behavior problems with my horse

Question
let me just explain from the start. my horse sunny has been in my family for 3 years now and we never had any sorts of trouble with him, even if we didn't ride hime for a month. we could just get on and ride and he would be perfectly fine. sunny is also proud cut so we always had trouble putting him in the pasture with the other horses, but he use to have his own paddock. now he is at a new barn and he doesn't have his own paddock. but he does get turned out atleast 4 times a week at 3 hour sessions. and for the past month i haven't been able to ride him cause he has had a cold. and since i'm out of town my family has been taking care of him for me. and my mom said when she went to go put his halter on him to take him out of his stall, he charged at her. my sister said he did the same when she went to put his feed in his stall. my sister also told me that she tried to ride him the other day and he wouldn't even let her on him. note he has never done this ever before. so she took the saddle off of him and tried riding him bare back, he let her on. but the whole time she was riding him he kept tryin to throw her balance off and sling her off. we have never had any sort of problems like this with sunny. i bought him in the first place because he was such a good riding horse. what do you think his going on with him and what should i do?

Answer
Hi:
Well obviously he is not a mean horse and in most cases horses aren't they are usually very caring animals. First thing I would recommend trying to spend some time in his stall, just brushing him without a halter on. Also trying to get him outside more often, since you mentioned he is not really good with other horses I would recommend a Bach Flower remedie called "Heather" it's used for horses that like to be the center of attention, and that will help him to get along with other horses. Also when you get back from vacation, try and do Join up with him in a round pen or with a lounge line in a regular arena, without a lunge line would be better but both work. During Join up are are basically using a lunge whip and your body language to chase him away from you, one important thing about this though is NEVER make eye contact horses are herd animals and this is a sign that you are some kind of treat and that they are endangered, now if this is the first time you have done this with your horse it may take longer than normally, but wait until his head lowers and his mouth open's and closes like a chewing motion and his inside is is towards you, than lower your head step back (away from your horse) and turn your back to him, he should naturally slow down and come join you than wait a few seconds once he has reached you than turn around and rub his neck or head than walk away, he should follow you. Now don't get frustrated with him if it doesn't go exactly as planned. Also a couple things that could associated with his is age, and how long he has been broke for. I would recommend riding as much as you can though too once he gets back to normal. Just try spending time with him, he obviously lost confidence in people some how which needs to be re-built. I would also use "Cherry Plum" another Bach Flower Remedies this one is good for horses that loses control becomes wild and crazed. You can buy these at health food stores. I wouldn't try to ride him for awhile until you can trust him again that he is not going to hurt you. When you are going to ride again just take a very deep seat and try to ride very naturally blending into his motions try not to interfere too much. He may also have a pinched nerve in his back if he was trying to throw her off balance. One last thing here before I rap up, have you only ever been the one to ride him and catch him and such since you have bought him, because my horse does this he will be a perfect angel with me and I can take him over 4'6 jumps and he's amazing but than the second someone else gets on him he does everything to get them off. Horses need to be shown who's boss, they are herd animals just be strong and firm with Sunny and let him know you are in control not him. Another tip from Monty Roberts is that if a horse bites you to kick them just above here hoof, NEVER hit there face or you will have another problem on your hands of head shy.

If you need any more help, feel free to ask.

Thanks,
Shaunna
and good luck with Sunny he seems like a great horse.