Bringing horse back into work

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girlmoose

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Hello,
I am interested in advice on bringing horses back into work. I am just bringing my horse back into work after 3 months off. He fell in his stable and completely lacerated his knee (don't ask how I'm not sure, he must be the most accident prone horse!) The interesting thing is that he has not lost much condition, he was very fit before his fall and is 7 years old.

what do you think?
Thanks, Jess
 
after a 3 month break he will certainly have lost some muscle tone but the fact he was fit previously should mean he will get fitter far quicker than a horse who had been unfit beforehand. I usually spend a week or 2 in walk work increasing the distance we hack for and then start to introduce short spells of trot work gradually building up the length of time we trot for over another couple of weeks and then introduce canter work again.
 
Thanks, that was basically my plan, but people all have there own ways of doing things and sometimes I doubt myself.

He has got so much energy, which is not helping. I am having to trot him for short periods while going home to settle him so he doesn't buck or try to take off up the road, not ideal, but it is the only thing that seems to work. Any other tips to deal with that?
 
If you find he needs to trot then perhaps it would be a good idea to do the trot work on the way out so he has less energy on the homeward route. It sounds like he is feeling pretty good already so if he is happy to trot and is showing no signs of discomfort then trot on the way out from your ride and increase the amount of time he trots for,but don't encourage him to trot home if you can help it. As I'm sure you will know it pays to do all the fast work on the way out so as to discourage napping and other undesirable behaviours.
 
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