Bringing an old horse back into work

[schneeko]

I've got a 13.2hh medium build new forest (possibly crossed with a welsh or arab type) that's about 20. I've had him 6 years and he was always a nightmare. He used to buck and rear but it turned out he had a bad back and his saddle didn't really fit.

About 4 years ago I got all this fixed after I moved yard and he was pretty good but then he escaped and climbed up a muckheap and then slipped down. It all went wrong again and I just gave up riding him for a year.

A year later I got a new horse and I put my pony out him out in a field with one other horse and let him live out 24/7. He seemed a lot better to handle and seemed much more comfortable in his movement.

Then today, I decided to try lunging him. He went really nicely and behaved as well. The problem is I don't know what the best way is to bring him back into work or if if it a good idea.

So basically my question is: Do you think it would be a good idea to bring him back into work? and if so: What would be a good a fitness program?

Also:
He's 13.2hh and i'm 5ft3 and 8 stone. Am I too big to ride him?

 

[RSL]

You not to big to ride him but you should be able to feel if hes struggling (which i doubt it) I would bring in back into work slowly starting by leading him out inhand every day and then increase how long you go for, after that I would get on him and ride him out in walk and again increase it.

 

[schneeko]

the only problem i have is that there's not really anywhere to lead him, would it be ok to just lead him round the school until he's ready to be lunged?