Fitness plan for a veteran

[Newlands]

Hi, just wondered if anyone had a fitness plan to suit an oldie.
I’m toying with the idea of bringing my almost 21 year cob back into work. He’s been living out for a year and has wintered very well. He hasn’t done much since last April, just my 4 year old walking around on him through the summer.
He retired sound and well, just seemed a bit bored and I was concentrating on my younger horse. If he doesn’t seem happy then he can go back to chilling out, but I would like to try. Thank you.

 

[Britestar]

Walking walking and more walking.

People under estimate the value of walking. When my now 21yr old had 4 months off for a tendon injury, I walked him for 14 weeks when he came back to work. It made a huge difference, and after that hge was ready to start back into proper work. I did this from Jan to April building up to 1.5hrs.

Yes it was very boring but worth it.

We got given a young cob who once broken in was very weak and cow hocked. He was also walked and then trotted on roads and tracks for nearly 5 months. He got fit and strong, his hocks are much straighter and he's never looked back.

 

[meleeka]

I was told 20 minutes in walk every other day building up to an hour. Then slowly introduce trot.

 

[Shay]

I have a 25 year old cob who has just spent his first winter not on the hunting field every week. Its not quite the same point - but I was worried about holding fitness so he could hunt occasionally and we did it with walking. I'm lucky enough to have a good size walker and he literally walks for an hour most days - changing direction. We also long line and he was ridden at PC Rallies with a novice. He isn't as fit as he was - but he doesn't need to be. And he hasn't lost as much as I feared he would. He looks rather good on it actually! So yes - walking!

Edited to add - just realized this sounds a bit odd. I can no longer ride because of a broken back - hence walking etc. I get my horsey fix through my daughter's lot.

 

[smurf]

My 20 year old retired 2 years ago ... then he got bored! So we thought we would do some 'light work' and see how he got on. Lots of walking and short trots on the roads. Now, 5 months later he works 5 times a week, is as fit as he was when he did BE ODEs and is back jumping. He is going XC schooling on Sunday! He just does low level jumping which he finds very easy.

From being a bit sad in the field he now feels like he did when he was 4 and is loving life. But without 2 years off when he stopped eventing I am not sure he would have come back quite so fresh. I think a total rest did him mentally a lot of good.

Just go for it and see how he feels

 

[Newlands]

Thank you everyone. He just lost his spark a year ago and wasn’t having the fun he used to have so fingers crossed he comes back feeling fresh and happy but if not nothing is lost. My just 8 year old has to step down and potentially just be a light hack...the horse that was bought to take over from old cob!