Advice on bringing a horse back into (light) work

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A1fie

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Any advice gratefully received. I am a novice rider and I currently share a speedy little mare who I ride about 5 times a week. I have lessons every week on her.

At my yard there is this beautiful old boy who I have fallen in love with. He is 20 years old and 18.1 hh. He has not been in work for at least 18 months and before that he was not worked much.

He is on full livery but his owner does not come to the yard much and is even less likely to in the future. I have spoken to him and have said that I'd love to bring him in from the field every day and just groom him and give him some fuss and attention and maybe ride him in the school after a while, which he seemed fine with.

What I would like to do with him riding wise is just potter about in the school and have a few lessons (nothing too strenuous) on him. I have no plans to hack him out. I am still planning on riding my share horse all the time, I just thought it would be nice and good experience to try a different horse.

I have spoken to some people on my yard and most recommend lunging for a few weeks first but others have said that it might not be necessary and he might not like it at all.

If I was to lunge him I would find out how to do it first before I went anywhere near him!!!

He has no injuries or problems that I am aware of.

I am quite happy for the moment just trying to build up a bond with him, just by grooming but the last few nights he has refused to leave his field. He is very sweet about having his head collar put on but then just stares down at me when I try to move him!!! He plants his feet and gently refuses to move
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he really looks like he is smiling at me!!!

Any tips for getting him out? Polo's although happily eaten, are not working
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He is very sweet about having his head collar put on but then just stares down at me when I try to move him!!! He plants his feet and gently refuses to move he really looks like he is smiling at me!!!

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Obviously not stupid then - and knows what leaving the field means.......
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I personally would not lunge him.

Has anyone ever seen him ridden. How does he behave under saddle??
 
If he's anything like my large veteran I think he'd hate being ridden in a school at his age and I certainly would'nt lunge him. He's a big lad and the strain on old joints, even if there does'nt appear to be a problem now, may be too much. Would it be possible to go out and about for short gentle hacks? This would stimulate his interest and will help build up a bit of fitness, just walking to start with. I think that you have to be firm when bringing him in and insist that he walk on, not easy I know with such a big ned. Perhaps someone could encourage him from behind. Try not to resort to titbits as he'll probably expect somthing for every step he takes! It's bound to help grooming and getting to know him but he's still quite capable of taking the p**s and he's probably had 20years to learn how to!! Good luck
 
Hmm, I wouldn't lunge him either. I would think the best way to start would be building up from short hacks. Riding in straight lines rather than schooling to start with. I know you say you don't want to hack but after 18 months off at that age you need to be careful not to overdo it on his joints. He may or may not be able to cope with schooling, and you need to start gently without putting too much strain on his joints.

And hacking is more fun for him too!
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For getting him out of the field, the traditional slap with the lead rope or a tap on the arse with a schooling whip usually does the trick.

eta:crossposted - didn't mean to repeat what blagdon said!
Agree though - my 20yr old wouldn't be too chuffed to be asked to go back in the school now, but she likes a hack about to see whats going on in the world!!
 
Lunging is the last thing you want to do. Maybe start him off on a very short hack (10 minutes) and see what happens and if all is well a little more (10 minutes extra) each day. You will need to take it very slowly.
 
Hacking is the best way to bring something back into work unless it is a complete agorophobic, IMO. I agree with the above that lunging would not be the best option by far. Start very slowly - just get to know him first on the ground, groom him, like you are doing. I also agree with AmyMay's concerns over his ridden behaviour - is there a reason he has been retired at 20? If not, then start either walking him in hand or hacking him down the road and back.
 
many many thanks for all replies. I think that it makes sense about not lunging, I think he would hate it.

Although there is great hacking where I am, I am not yet very confident so maybe I'll just concentrate on building up a bond with him first.

thanks again
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