Bringing back into work over winter

[DD265]

What I'd like to do with my boy is circa 6 months hacking, building up distance slowly and speed even slower, eventually incorporating some schooling on those hacks. He's an older boy and may as well have had several years off for the amount of time we've spent "in work". Unfortunately, the dark nights and a long commute mean that we're going to have to spend time in the arena much sooner than I would like.

How do you approach bringing a horse back into work at this time of year? I have some ideas, but the more the merrier!

 

[Charlie007]

I bought my older lad back into work over winter a few years ago. I hacked when I could. I then used the school most eves swapping between riding, sometimes only walking but lots of bending, changes of direction etc. Then when I didn't ride I did in hand pole work which worked him without putting unnecessary strain on him. It did get boring at times in the school but I just kept thinking that spring won't be long!!

 

[milliepops]

do you have access to off road hacking? I brought my mare back into work after injury last winter, armed with head torches and just hacked in the dark! She's a sensible soul and I only have to cross a road to have hours of off road tracks though.
I'll be doing exactly the same again this year, as she injured herself again in the spring