Bringing a Horse Back Into Work After 4 years

[jellycat]

Hi everyone

I have just bought an 8 year old mare as a project who has been ridden only very occasionally over the last 4 years (this was not due to any injury or health problem). She is an ex-racehorse who was also used for polo for a short time. Apparently one person who rode her two years ago said she that, at some point, she had been very well schooled so there is certainly potential there. I am considering options for reschooling her and wondered if anyone has any suggestions.

I am concerned about beginning with lunging not only because of the physical stress it might put her under but because she seems not to have been lunged in the past. She gets confused about what is expected of her and has been known to rear on during lunging sessions.

My plan was to take things VERY slowly and to perhaps even begin walking her in hand in straight lines. Building up from about 10 mins in week one and then with 5 minute increments thereafter. I would also put her tack on when doing this to get her used to wearing it again. I have a happy mouth bit to limit any stress that a metal bit might cause.

After a couple of weeks of doing this I was thinking I would begin riding her. Again only for a short period (say 15 mins) on a long reign and then building this up gradually.

Your thought would be very much appreciated.

 

[Izzwizz]

I would say your thoughts are on the right lines. I would stay away from the lunge too for a time and concentrate on building up her strength and muscles. Do you have someone who could accompany you if you take her out and about? My mare had over a year off due to a tendon injury and we did pretty much what you are thinking. We built it up over a few months and have now long been back in the school now. We are off to our first Dressage comp on Saturday, just doing walk and trot as shes prone to being spooky and we are not up to canter work at the mo. Hill work is very beneficial and will fitten her in no time. I would do lots of roadwork before you go into the school to help harden her legs so that when you do go in the school, her legs will be able to deal with it.


Very best of luck with her. Take it slow and without pressure your bond together will grow and the trust will follow.

 

[A1fie]

I am just bringing a horse back into work which has been off for 5 years. I think you are planning along the right lines. I did 5 weeks walking work, building up to 1 hour and 30 mins by the fifth week. Have just introduced trot work.

First time I lunged was in the 6th week and then only for 10 mins. I agree that it can put a strain on their legs if they are not fit. I Started doing suppling work whilst out hacking, leg yields and stretches.

Good luck.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I did it. Horse was backed at three and then turned away until she was eight. That flipping mare (love her to bits ) hadn't forgotten anything! She had someone lay over her back once, was led around, mounted, led around, went around arena with no leader. All fine, no fuss, so hacked her out down a quiet lane. End process.

I've never known anything like it. Yes, she was green and needed alot of work schooling and her strength was built up slowly and we made sure that everything was as positive as possible but it was like she was just back from a professional backer.

They don't forget, but each horse is different and you need to tailor your training to your mare.

 

[JanetGeorge]

I have just bought an 8 year old mare as a project who has been ridden only very occasionally over the last 4 years (this was not due to any injury or health problem). She is an ex-racehorse who was also used for polo for a short time.

I would start by lungingher for 2-3 minutes at a time on a BIG circle! TBH,if she's just raced and been tried for polo her 'education' is unlikely to be up to much.

I always treat this sort of horse as if it was a breaker - lunge, teach voice commands, put roller on,then saddle, get standing at mounting block,jump at the side of it and put weight in stirrup, lean over, etc. etc. Obviously if she doesn't put a foot wrong at any stage you CAN progress to gettingon a little more quickly - although spending a bit of extra time at this stage will be helpful to her in strengthening muscles AND enable youto find (and plug) any gaps in her education. When you get on, do it in a school with a safe surface AND a neck strap!!

As soon as you feel it's safe, get her hacking out - firstly in walk, then building up to short trots.

There is usually no problem in bringing a horse back into work after along break - but be aware that the odd one CAN be very difficult (seems like they decide they LIKE the easy life! )