Any point in walking my mare out inhand to start fittening?

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cm2581

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My mare has been off work since November due to major surgery to remove a molar tooth. Unfortunately she still hasn't fully recovered due to issues with the cement plug so I still don't feel that I want to ride her. I had desperately wanted to take part in a TREC competition mid-may (ideally level 2, 20km but I'd now be happy with level 1, 12km) but at the moment I don't think I'll be riding her before the beginning of April now. So, do you think I have any chance of her being fit enough if I start building up in hand walking from now? She is very well in herself, I just don't feel I should be putting a bit in her mouth yet and a hackamore would be worse!
 
I really like walking out in hand at the start of fitness, I don't really know why.

I would still have a bridle on but use the headcollar over so you don't have to touch the mouth if not absolutely needed.
 
If you and she are happy doing that, then fine. My boy has just come back into work after almost two years off work and dental treatment to resolve headshaking and also as he is now barefoot, so lots to contend with.

I started by leading our in hand for 20 mins a day.

If you are comfortable doing whatever you do then that is right for you. Follow your own instincts, you know your own horse.
 
im bringing my 19 yr old back after having the winter off and am doing in hand walking for a few weeks then will get her checked over before i start riding. i prefer this and when ive done rehab on vets advice they always recommended gradual increase but starting off in hand. both my mares love going for walks round the village..
 
Yes walking in hand is a great way to start; although they mooch about in the field horses rarely walk purposefully for any long period so long walks at 'marching' pace will really get the ball rolling. I would start for 15 mins and build up from there.
 
Definitely a great way to start. My mare is just finishing 12 weeks box rest following a fracture, no movement allowed at all for first six weeks then we had the go ahead to start walking. She’s very high Azutoria risk so I started off with five minutes increasing daily in two minute increments and we’re now up to an hour a day. And I don’t mean strolling, we march…..considering all she’s been through her fitness is reasonable, her gut function is back up to where it was in full work and it’s been good for me too as my jeans now fall off without being undone lol.
 
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