Fitness Plan Help

[LCDB]

Hello All

Both of my horses have had time off one due to having his shoes off then an infection in his leg, and the other due to suspected Tendinitis.

The vet is happy for them both to start work again now, but being a worrier type, I am eager not to cause injury again. The Vet has said I can "crack on" however I am thinking of starting a whole new fitness plan from scratch IE walking road work etc.

Could anybody help me devise a plan or does anyone have a tried and trusted plan that they use?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[NZJenny]

Depends how long they have had off - but this is what I used to use when legging up for endurance after 3 months turn out over winter:

Week 1: Walk 30 minutes
Week 2: Walk 45 minutes
Week 3: Walk 60 minutes
Week 4: Walk 45 minutes, trot 15 minutes
Week 5: Walk 30 minutes, trot 30 minutes
Week 6: Walk 15 minutes, trot 45 minutes.
Week 7: Trot 60 minutes
Week 8: Commence training.

The walk/trot was broken up a bit because of terrain, and it doesn't need to be to the minute, but I found this a good guide and used it for years. One year I brought my mare back from a strained tendon, and I just did a longer walk period - I think I started with walk 15 minutes, then increased by 10 minutes a week up to an hour.