Arthritic schooling

[Smellycob]

Greetings everyone! Long time no see! I've had a quick look so I know there are other posts about arthritis, but I'm amore after specific exercises that are beneficial. Coblet has been diagnosed with hock and stifle arthritis at the age of 12 and following vet advice is now on a bute a day plus 4Cyte gel at the maintenance level. Things got a bit hairy at first and it was unclear whether he would be able to do anything more than a light hack or just walk in straight lines, bit he has bounced back miraculously and yesterday he felt better than ever in fact! I'm currently on livery that has grazing fields available to ride in and a 20 x 40 floodlit school. The issue I am having is exercise ideas. Lunging is pretty much out now (although I do lunge as I ride with lots or straight lines and walking around) and the fields get saturated very quickly, so this week had been particularly bad. That, plus long working hours, means that I'm generally sticking to the school. The trouble is I'm worried about the next few months of darkness and the pair of us getting bored in there. I'm obviously trying to avoid lots of circles (although I don't think a few will kill him) and I'm keeping him living out as much as possible so if we do have a heavier session my theory is he will be able to walk it off after. Winter is our time to shine as we both hate the heat of summer, and remembering how I felt a a month or 2 ago (when I didn't know if I'd had my last ride on him) I want to make each rode count and for us both to enjoy it. Maybe pole work would add interest? Any extra ideas would be fantastic as would any recommendations for youtube channels or books. Our sessions tend to run as follows:
Warm up - walking, neck bending, stretching, leg yield in walk, trotting and cantering around the track in a light seat
Main - Transitions, leg yield in trot, *tiny* bit of circles,,,,,aaaannnnd I'm out of ideas!
Cool down - as warm up basically

 

[spacefaer]

It's not what you want to hear, but I wouldn't be doing any turns, circles or lateral work on a surface on a horse that needs bute to keep him comfortable.

Doing exercise that puts twisting pressure on already aggravated joints will only shorten his working life.

I've had a few older horses with the arthritis you describe, including one currently who has arthritic hocks and none of them went in an arena post- diagnosis.

 

[Goldenstar]

I lightly worked Fatty in the school as we brought him back up after a retirement to the field which did not work .
I did lots of walking in hand at first over walk poles at different spaces and heights and we did the classic hogs back in a circle rehab exercise but made the circle bigger than you usually do .
This in three months with of walking out leading from another horse and we moved on to riding completely got rid of the muscle atrophy he had .
So this might be a thing to add in .

 

[daydreamer]

Maybe look at the 55 corrective exercises for horses by Jec Aristotle Ballou. You could also maybe try learning something new like clicker training or liberty work which will keep him moving and hopefully keep you both interested.

 

[SEL]

I spoke to vet and physio about this last year because I'm also pretty limited as to where I can ride in winter.

Our arena has a good surface in winter unless it freezes which helps.
Loads of polework - ridden and in hand.

Really long warm up. Mine tells you when she's loosened up by having a good snort

Changes of pace within a pace (so 6 strides collected, then ask for 6 stretching out more ) etc

There's quite a bit of other stuff but Appy has broken herself more since then ?

If you've got a good physio on board its worth asking their advice. I used to long rein a fair bit too.