Getting back on after the thaw

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Daisy2

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I have not ridden for 3 weeks due to snow and ice and plan to hack tomorrow, does anyone else feel slightly anxious about riding after a long break? Before this we were out 4/5 times a week. Just curious because I always feel really confident when I am riding out regularly but feel slighty apprenhensive after a long break.
 
Nope - my lovely old boy was was last ridden 15th November at a dressage comp. I'm planning to get back on tomorrow and straight out for a hack....
 
Tomorrow will be the first time I've hacked in 3 weeks due to various things filling up the weekends (sister visiting, frozen ground, working). I can't wait to get back on, he's been out every day though so shouldn't be too lively - last winter they were stuck in for 12 days with no turnout due to snow and the first ride after that was shall we say...interesting :D Mine's a bit of a plodder though so if he has a bit of zing to him tomorrow I won't mind, it never lasts long!
 
Exactly, the same thought going through my mind. I was secretly dreading the thaw!! Tomorrow there is no excuse and I shall have to bite the bullet!! I have a TB that showed her enthusiasm for well being in the paddock this afternoon. Eeeeek!
 
I'm riding my boy for the first time tomorrow in 3 weeks, now the last time he had time off and I rode him he was a loop! Bouncing and bucking and stuff, my problem is, is that was when he had 4 DAYS off, not 3 WEEKS!!!!!! Feeling slightly apprehensive I must admit!
 
mine has been out all the time so shouldn't be too fresh i rode him round the fields last wkend and he was good, a tiny bit worried but more because we were having napping probs before the snow came that i hopefully solved and also hope he has forgot about them and is looking forward to being out.
 
I finally managed to ride this afternoon after 2 weeks due to the snow/ice. I was horrified to find she has put on at least 3 dress sizes under her rug!!
The flat grass is frozen to the ground so have been feeling sorry for them having no food....will be cutting down on haylege from now on.
Don't think the thaw is going to last long though.
 
I have a friend who helps exercise my gal, she rode her today after a 3 week gap and she was fine, I'm also anxious after so long out of saddle but I know now I'll be fine now :o
 
I'm going to get on again tomorrow and I'm fairly convinced my boy will turn himself inside out. He's sharp at the best of times - after a three week lay off? The mind boggles. Might lunge him for an hour or two first...:D
 
Yes, getting back on tomorrow, only we are going showjumping! Have managed to hack about 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Been his usual laid back self, although we havent jumped in 3 weeks, so could be interesting!
 
So how did your rides go?:D We had fun, horses were excited but we all got back in one piece and felt really exhilerated, were going to ride today but had such a hard frost and icey roads regretfully did not ride but it was such a beautiful day, pick poo instead.
 
My friend sat on ours today for first time in six weeks!!!! He has been going out in field every day! He was a little g*t, I say little but he's 16.3hh, he isn't nasty in anyway but strong and cheeky!! Couldn't go as far as we wanted as bl***y scrambling bikes out again. Also he thought it was coming in time so being pig headed.

Think we may now wait for spring as he's a different horse then and not really fussed about riding in winter......

Still love him though, even though he was threatened with the glue factory ;)
 
I rode my girl for the first time today after afew weeks not having been ridden, and don't know why I was worried! She was as good as gold, her usual calm self, bless her.
My boy on the other hand...!!
 
I hadn't ridden either of mine for almost 3 weeks, the weekend we moved to a new yard! But I'm a great believer that once they are established and have been ridden regularly they should be (in theory) able to accept and behave reasonably even after a break so have always just tacked up ad got on as if they had never had a break My brilliant instructor told me years ago that 'if you expect trouble you'll get it, act like there is nothing wrong and you'll be fine' I've stuck with that principle for years and never had a real problem. I got a tiny bit of jogging and a couple of headshakes but that was it from two TB's who hadn't been out for more than a couple of hours a day for 3 weeks. I wouldn't be quite so gung ho with the 3yo I'm working with but in a couple of years I'll expect the same from her.
 
Yesterday out on our own we had 3 naps as bridleway had not been seen for 3 weeks and apparently was scary but good otherwise and keen to trot home, gave a bit of a wide berth to a sign about Xmas trees for sale planted in the verge and a spin at some cyclists which had very squealy brakes when they stopped to let us go by. Today we hacked out with a friend and he was a perfect pony :)
 
Daisy2 said:
I have not ridden for 3 weeks due to snow and ice and plan to hack tomorrow, does anyone else feel slightly anxious about riding after a long break? Before this we were out 4/5 times a week. Just curious because I always feel really confident when I am riding out regularly but feel slighty apprenhensive after a long break.
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No I am too, and after seeing my 31 year old SEDATED horse being turned out on saturday after staying in for 2 weeks, I was glad I didn't sit on him first ! He doesn't help himself, I sedated him for his own safety and mine, but it appeared not have have any effect. Will have to give him more next time or ACP tabs worked better last year
 
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