Building up an older horses fitness

[loopy3585]

Morning all

Looking for some advice if possible?

I've recently started riding an 18year old cob mare who for he past year has only been being used for the odd hack here and there. I want to start getting her fit and am after some advice if possible? she's not great in the school but the past couple of weeks i have been working on her napping and this seems to have now stopped ( sometime i don't have the choice but to ride in the school so had to work on this first)

Has anyone got any advice or experience of getting an older horse fit again? i'm only going to be doing pleasure rides on her and the odd bit of schooling won't be jumping her etc

Any advice greatly appreciated

x

 

[Pearlsasinger]

The best tip is to build up slowly and steadily, making sure that she is working within her capabilities. Personally, I would fitten her through hacking rather than schooling, often the school surface is rather deep and puts too much strain on the legs, particularly of the aging horse.

 

[skint1]

I agree with Pearlsasinger, that's what I have tried to do with my mare

 

[Micky]

Yup hacking, few weeks of walk only, adding trot in o a hill, build on that, adding more and longer hacks, take your time and dont let her blob along, march out ( though warm up/cool down on long rein if poss for 5 mins)...