Bringing a happy hacker back into work...

cc14

cc14

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About 2/3 weeks ago my boy went lame and, on vets instruction, was told to happy hack him for the next 2 months, starting with 10 minute mooches and gradually building them up. 2 days later, he got suspected strangles, and has since had about 10 days off in a field.

We have now had the strangles all clear (turned out to be a sister virus) and he should be cleared up in about a week or so, possibly a bit longer.

My question is how do I go about bringing him back into work? He is a 6y/o ISH, not young and silly but is forward going. I can tell he is incredibly bored out in the field by himself as he demonstrated today by making poo picking practically impossible and constantly knocking over the back of poo, sticking his head in it or running off with my poop scoop:rolleyes:

Usually I would give him a lunge to get the fizziness out of him but vet has advised against any form of schooling for the time being, but I dont want to take a fresh young (although sensible and bombproof) horse out onto a road hack...so, any suggestions?!

Potential video of his mischievous ways with a poop scoop if anyone can help me :D
 
Long line him round your yard! Will give him something different to think about and get rid of the boredom before you have to increase the length of the time he is ridden.

Video please!! :D
 
Oh what a fab idea! Then I suppose could progress to long lining out on the roads then ride him out on them...fab suggestion! However last time we long reined he felt the rope touch his leg, hopped round refusing to use that leg, made us think he had broken his leg, then laughed at us. The first ever time he had no idea what was going on so tried to sit down...

This should be very successful!

Any other suggestions? Or suggestions to give him something to do in his field other than eat? I currently have a very well insulated horse :(
 
Ooh good idea...hes just spending his day eating, despite being in the lami field with reduced hay hes still looking preggers! Off to an inflatables shop I go...
 
Pop a saddle on him and start riding.

20 mins a day in walk - builing up the lenght of time you are walking for etc. Do this for a few weeks before moving in to trot and then later in to canter.
 
amymay - thats the plan but he is going to be very fresh and full of energy, concern was how to get some of this out of him rather than just jumping on and going out on a busy road, which we must do to hack out.
 
When my horse fractured a bone she was in a box for about 12 weeks. After the 12 weeks in the box she was taken out for little walks in hand. This was done with a bridle and headcollar on with a rope on each side and one person on each side so that we could try to keep control of her. Each day she was walked out a little bit more until we where walking her out for about an hour a time three times a day. This took about 4 weeks to get to that stage. Then after that started riding her at a walk and again very short walks initially which where gradually increased over a period of 3 month to about 3 hour hacks at a walk. It was only then that she was allowed out during the day in a small paddock. This return to work routine worked well.
 
he will look freshier in the field than when you are on his back, just get on and ride if he is spooky it will only be for the first 5mins. when he does become fresh will be in a months time when he starts to become fit and well, go for it be happy and have fun.
 
beeswax said:
he will look freshier in the field than when you are on his back, just get on and ride if he is spooky it will only be for the first 5mins. when he does become fresh will be in a months time when he starts to become fit and well, go for it be happy and have fun.
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Hmmm, think you need to tell my horse that! He looks like a donkey in the field then gets on his toes when the tack comes out! I think the long lining with his tack on to get his brain engaged first and get any silliness out is a grand idea then hop on once he is settled.
 
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