Bringing older horse back into work after a year off

[sjdress]

My 24 yo mare has had a year turned away, she has arthritis and was struggling to stay sound in ridden work. She went from competing to hacking, to very light hacking to then full retirement over a period of time. She is however looking very sound so I am wondering if I can bring her back into work for very light hacking (probably until the ground turns hard again). She loves going out and about so I think if she’s comfortable enough it’s worth trying her again.
Question is how would I bring her back into work after so long off?
I’m thinking a few weeks walking in hand with tack on before another 4-6 weeks ridden walk starting 10-15 mins and slowly building up. Does that sound about right? I know her inside out as have owned her from a 5yo so i will know instantly if she is lame/not happy and would stop.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

My 24 yo mare has had a year turned away, she has arthritis and was struggling to stay sound in ridden work. She went from competing to hacking, to very light hacking to then full retirement over a period of time. She is however looking very sound so I am wondering if I can bring her back into work for very light hacking (probably until the ground turns hard again). She loves going out and about so I think if she’s comfortable enough it’s worth trying her again.
Question is how would I bring her back into work after so long off?
I’m thinking a few weeks walking in hand with tack on before another 4-6 weeks ridden walk starting 10-15 mins and slowly building up. Does that sound about right? I know her inside out as have owned her from a 5yo so i will know instantly if she is lame/not happy and would stop.

That sounds fine to me, be guided by her and be prepared for all your work to be in walk, if that's what she needs.

 

[Skib]

I’m thinking a few weeks walking in hand with tack on before another 4-6 weeks ridden walk starting 10-15 mins and slowly building up.

For years I rode the same mare. My old share. She had the spring and summer off and came back to the yard in winter, where she was in all day and turned out with hay overnight.
I led her out to graze in my rope halter and not a bridle.

 

[MuddyMonster]

My 19 year old had 4 months off - he'd gone into it fit and sound - and I did 5 weeks in-hand walking. I think I'd be extending it for a horse that had longer off due to soundness issues.

When starting ridden work, I still did a mix of in-hand walk and ridden walk as I wanted to build up his back strength slowly.

How's her posture? If she's had time spent on working on stetches etc to help keep her posture and core strength, then that will help her in her favour.

I had a body worker out before even starting in-hand work, which I'm glad I did.