Bringing back into work...

[Abz88]

I am currently bringing my mare back into work. I am taking it slow and lots of patients. She's been out on walks (in hand) with all her tack on and has taken to it brilliantly. I have lunged her with all her tack on (started with just a head collar and built it up slowly) and again, perfect (almost!). I can control her by voice alone - have never had a whip near her. As soon as I ask her to go into canter,....she does,...but goes a bit 'mad'! Charges around like a loon!

She has a very controlled walk, beautiful trot,...then it goes a bit wrong! I rode her for the first time last week and again, walk, lovely and controlled, trot, lovely and controlled (didnt even realise I had sat a beat and she was off!). I am worried her tack isnt right, but she is fine in walk and trot so I guess not and it seems fine (done loads of research to make sure!). Is this simply as she is excited or green in canter? Or is it something more?

Anyone any ideas on what to do next?

 

[ISHmad]

If it was only the first time you'd actually ridden her last week after time off then I'd be walking for a while yet, then introducing trotting and waiting for a while before cantering. You've done lots of nice prep work in hand but it will still take her some time to build back up to fitness carrying a rider.

 

[Abz88]

thank you for this. It was indeed the first time I had ridden her. I have read that canter should be left until they are fitter, I was silly in 'going with her', my mare wante to dash about and canter, so as I had warmed her up nicely with lunging, I thought I would let her. But I shall now try and hold her back calmly and make her ownley walk and trot.
I lunged her today and again,...out of her own mind, decided to go for a canter about! I had no tack on her - just the lunging head collar. I think she is very green for her age and excitable to!

Thanks again for your reply

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