Exercises for old horses

[ecarylloh]

My mare is at an age where she can't really do any jumping, and where I really need to concentrate on keeping her supple. She's also starting to get stiffer on her left rein - to the point where she finds it difficult to stick on the correct leading leg in canter (nice that she's still capable of doing flying changes, but just not when I haven't asked her for them!).

Does anyone have any good exercises for keeping horses supple? When I school her I do a lot of changes of rein, circles, half circles, figures of eight etc, but she gets bored easily and I don't want to keep doing the same old...

All advice received gratefully and in exchange for a metaphorical chocolate brownie!

 

[Susie&Harry]

Hi! have you tried exercises whilst on a hack? You can do leg yielding and all sorts of other bits & pieces and work her long and low. I find that works well with my ex-showjumper who is now 24. I've also given up riding him in a saddle, I just use a good quality bareback pad now which is much more comfy for his back and helps my seat.

 

[Spudlet]

You could also try ringing your vet and asking them to refer you to a physio, who may be able to give you some gentle stretches and exercises to do with her on the ground This could in turn help her to do more being ridden.