getting fit?!

[Hemirjtm]

I have not been able to ride as much as i would like to ride 2/3 times a week and Hemir has lost quite a bit of muscle and put on a lot of weight, he's quite a 'chunky' horse but he has now got a belly!! I dont want to feed him less than he is getting at the moment, just want some ideas of how to get him back into shape, i was thinking about doing some 'trotting': ie going out for 20 mins and spending 15 mins trotting (i was advised this by an experienced horsey friend!), if this isnot good please tell me! I need he to be a little fitter for when we start having lessons, I can only take him out or do some walking exercises on the car park (don't have anywhere to school!).....any ideas or some simple things to help me get him back into shape! He was like this last year but i was able to work him 5 times a week, so he got fit quite quickly. Its tough when your mum doesnt want to ride him and you have NO-ONEelse who can help! I wouldn't trust him with anyone lower than m level as he can be a handful for me! Any ideas ???

 

[pottamus]

Yes, I agree to the trotting work, but build it up slowly starting with small stretches and building up to the 20 mins. Then if you have any decent hills, get trotting up them and walking briskly down.
Some people will not agree with this because of concussion on the roads etc but so long as you do a steady trot, your horse has good confirmation and you build it up slowly you will be fine. I do endurance and this is how I get my horse fit, we also go out onto trails and do up to 12 miles in trot (when he is fitter). Works for me and I have a Welsh D who puts weight on in the winter...never mind summer!

 

[Hemirjtm]

My horse used to be an endurance horse...he won upto 120km (i think!) then had to stop when he went up to the next stage as he wouldnt settle down for the vet check! I did a little bit last weekend and he came home as normal - i did trot fo 2/3 mins then walked, then trotted for another 2/3 mins...etc! was this ok or too much? Am going to try it again this weekend, tomorow then will take him for a walk on sunday.