Bringing back into work after 6 months off

[baybertha]

I am starting to bring my horse back into work after 6 months off. The first 6 weeks were spent on box rest after removing some chipped bone fragments, however the rest of the time he has just been out in the field, as there was no point getting him up and running with nothing going on in lockdown! Before his time off he was at peak hunting fitness.

I'm now getting him fit again for the second half of the eventing season at BE Novice level. As this is the longest time he's ever had off, I'm interested to hear other people's opinions on how many weeks should be spent walking and the length of rides etc, before introducing trot/canter? TIA

 

[PeterNatt]

I would suggest that you spend the first 6 weeks increasing the length of daily walking up to 3 - 4 hours hacks and then start trotting on the hacks and then cantering and galloping and then working in an arena and finally jumping. The first 6 weeks at a walk are the most important to ensure that everything is done at a relaxed gradual pace and your horses limbs and joints are not strained.

 

[doodle]

Not sure who has 4 hours every day to ride. I agree with 6 weeks of walk but not sure 4hours is do able.

 

[scats]

One of mine gets about 4-5 months off every winter (albeit no box rest or recovery from injury, though she does have chronic PSD) and I usually do a month walking hacks and long reining (up to 1 hour a day, I don’t have time for longer) and then month 2 introduce a bit of trot in straight lines out hacking. By week 8 we are usually doing a bit of trot in the school. We don’t do much more than that anyway- walk, trot hacks and very light walk, trot schooling, so by week 8 we are usually back to what is normal for us.

 

[mossycup]

A 12-16 week fitness programme would be normal for from field to BE. If returning from an injury, add another 4-6 weeks to that

 

[Sanversera]

I agree with PeterNatts plan.

 

[sarahann1]

I’m bringing my mare back into work after nearly 8months off, 4 of which was on box rest. After lots of researching, this is my approach;

I’ve done 2 weeks in-hand walking, a teeny bit of lunging to check soundness and now we’re on week 3 of hacking out at walk, started out at 15mins and we’re up to 30mins now. I’m increasing a few minutes everyday and plan to put some hill work in at walk by week 4. Hoping to include short trots by week 6, and be up to short canters by week 10, back to some gentle lessons by week 12. ???