bringing cob back into work (slowly) ?

[dilbert]

I could do with some advice please

Frankie has been off work for a month or so as we have had saddle problems, chiro appointments and bowen therapy. He's had his teeth done too.

The upshot seems to be that he has some tightness in his shoulders from being on the forehand, tightness behind saddle area from bad saddle and it was noted that he has no core strength.

We have a new saddle and I'd like to slowly start working again and both EMRT and Chiro have recommended this. Can anyone advise me of the best way of going about doing this slowly to maximise his chances of getting fitter and stronger?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions about exercises/massaging techniques that might help him as we start working again? I know a friend was encouraged to massage her pony's back with a tennis ball?

Thanks

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Hill work is always excellent for building fitness and muscle, should help to build that core strength too

 

[MrsMozart]

We're facing this with Little Cob. Weeks off due to being tied up . When we get the all clear, we'll start with ten mins walk for two days, if muscles cope okay we'll add five mins each day for a week. Then we'll go back to ten mins and add five mins trot, and so on.

Dizz is on a fittening regime: she's Pessoa'd twice a week (and we've just added canter), and ridden four times a week. I had a lesson today where we both worked hard, and by the end of it she was still going strong! We've only been on this regime for five weeks (just swapped from Pessoa'd three times a week and ridden twice a week).