Fittening Advice

Baileysno1

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For various reasons I hadn't ridden Ryu since last Wednesday, he got shod Thursday, Friday was a deluge when I was supposed to have my lesson, Saturdays RC dressage got canclled because of the weather, Sundays showing shows got canclled too. So I cleaned my tack and had a sort out, the horses were stuck in Saturday so went on the walker. Sunday was spent in the field. Anyway I rode him for my reschedualled lesson on Monday and he found it exhausting, he was puffing after 15 minutes and only managed a few further bursts of work practicing counter canter and shoulder in. I'm off to horse camp at Bishop at the end of August and after Monday I think we have serious fittness issues and I can't understand how its gotten this way!

He is a little curvy at the moment even though hes on a minmal amount of hard feed, I think its all the new grass still growing. So I need to get going, we have five weeks heres my proposed plan, please tell me what you think how I could make it more effective:

Monday : Schooling 40 mins
Tuesday: Hacking (trot recover, trot recover)1-2 hours
Wednesday:Schooling with poles or grids
Thursday: Day Off
Friday: Lesson 45mins
Saturday: Compettion / Hack with fast work
Sunday:Compettion / Hack with fast work

This doesn't differ too much from what he'd normally be doing I'm just going to be a bit stricter about not missing any ridden sessions and more aware of what he does and for how long, I joked to OH that he'd have to spend 5 weeks stood at the bottom of hills with a stopwatch, but hopefully it won't come to that!
 
I would imagine the plan you have for him would be fine! I dont think if he is that unfit that just one week will build him up a lot! should improve it though! good luck!
 
Your programme seems fine, if you are worried about the effects of the grass on your horses shape & him putting on weight then put him in a mask. This will limit the intake but he will still be able to stay out his usual time.
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how about a lunging ? dont know how you feel about lunging but i keep my daughters pony pretty trim by lunging a couple of times a week in between her riding and having a lesson
 
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