Bringing an older pony back into work

[ElleMay]

My mare is 18 and for the past 2 years has been on and off lame with hock spavins and mild arthirits in her front coffin joints. Hock spavins seem to have now fused and going barefoot this spring has helped her fronts drastically. She is now sound in a straight line so we have done a lot of hacking over the past few weeks and her fitness levels have really improved, as has her flexibility and stiffness. The problem we are now having is that as her fitness improves and her stiffness reduces she is acting more like a 3 year old every day! I know I shouldn't think of this as a problem as its great to have her forward going enjoying her hacks but she is starting to use every oppertunity to spook and bounce about and bog off down the field with me

I think she is getting bored of the same hacks as we don't have much variety where I am and a lot of it is road work especially with the ground around us being wet at the moment, so I am wondering if it is worth starting to bring her back into some proper work again? Before the lameness started we did a bit of jumping which she really enjoys, particularly xc, but mainly showing.
I am not bothered about doing anything competitive with her anymore (been there, tried everything and got no where!) I just want to enjoy riding her now.

So, would it be too much to start doing some ground work/long reining with her and maybe some poles and small jumps eventually to keep her little brain ticking over? I would love to get her doing some small pleasure rides next year but at the moment I think the excitement would send her into overdrive. She has always been quite fizzy when the mood takes her, but in the past I would stick her on the lunge or take her up the gallops, but obviously this is not something I can do to take the edge off her now as the last thing I want to do is send her lame again.

Any experiences/advice much appreciated thanks

 

[be positive]

You know your pony and it sounds as if she is feeling good again,I would think there is no reason to not start some more interesting work.

If you build up steadily with some longreining ,lungeing is probably best avoided as the constant turning can cause discomfort.

She should be able to do some pole work and maybe jump again,we had one that did really well but jumping was not comfortable for him so we stopped it,you are the best judge and she will let you know if she is not happy.

Push the boundaries a little at a time and be ready to go back a step or two if needed.

 

[Addicted to Hunting]

I would being her back into more work, same as above a joint/veteran sopplement may help. What does the vet say? Read my thread about my spotty pony she was on box rest when she did her check ligament last year, and I'm so glad that her last week was full of her being ridden having gallops and jumping and that she got to hunt again!

 

[ElleMay]

She is already on supplements that seem to be helping, superflex and butefree and a mix from hilton herbs. Vet says that as long as she seems happy to be doing what we ask of her then go for it, she is deffinately one to tell me if she doesn't want to do something

I have read your story jumpinBeckeyJane, about your spotty pony, it sounds like she really enjoyed her last week with you. I have my fingers crossed my pony will remain sound for a while now but you never know whats going to happen and like you I want us to enjoy our time together while i've got the chance as I know if anything happened I would regret just leaving her as a field ornament when I know she enjoys her work.

I will deffinately take things slowly and see how she gets on. Thanks for both of your helpful replies