Bringin an older horse back into work question

[Hedwards]

I have my 17 yo loan horse, who has basically done very little for the past 3 years (just a very small amount in the past 6 months) and i'm bringing her back into work. she is field fit, having lived out all year.

I'm just walking at the moment for about 10-20 minutes, and quite helpfully i have lots of hilly fields to ride around to build her up. but my question is, how often should i be riding her to begin with? every day, or every couple of days, or just once a week? i've never brought a horse back into work at her age, or for as long as she has had off.

I rode her for the first time last night (properly - i have sat on her a couple of times - but only for a few minutes) and she was an absolute star, seemed to really enjoy herself with absolutely no silly business!

my new favourite view

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[*hic*]

Why was she taken out of work in the first place?

If not for lameness then I'd ride her every day starting with five minutes for the first few days and then increasing by five minutes a day at walk until you are up to an hour, then start to introduce short bursts of trot, gradually lengthening the time in trot. Then introduce short canters. Include plenty of "wiggles" whilst she's walking to supple her up and change speed within the walk and then the trot.

If it was for lameness then I'd ask the vet for an exercise plan to get her back to fitness.

Nice view btw!

 

[Hedwards]

jemima - no not lameness - her owner has 25 others (mainly ponies) that are all youngsters she has been bringing on, so just hasnt had time - also for the past year her owner has been having 'personal issues' which is another reason for no work.

Glad you think everyday - just have to keep doing it bit by bit as you have said and i thought (we did trot yesterday - i know its naughty but a cow spooked her, and she set off on her own i just wanted to check she would stop when i asked - and she did, plus it was a lovely trot!)

 

[Booboos]

I think little and often is the best thing. If you can keep her in walk for 4-6 weeks that would be really good and you can then start introducing small periods of trot, work that up to longer periods of trot and a little bit of canter in the next 8 weeks. Keep an eye out for any sign of problems or for hard ground, but otherwise 17 is not that old and she should be fine