Getting the world's most unfit horse fit

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loverugs

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I've got a Welsh pony who has just come unexpectedly into my care. This pony has not been ridden in years. To make matters worse she has been kept in a tiny pen with barely room to trot. She has no muscle on her. She looks twice her age as a result. She is in her mid teens.

Due to the amount of muscle wastage I'm loath to ride her.

What would be your plan of action to get this mare back up together?
 
Is her weight ok? if not then I would not be exercising her until she has a decent amount of weight on.

Is she now turned out? if she was kept in a pen, turnout will be a huge benefit to her and will start to fitten her up.

If she has regular turn out and a decent weight, I would start long reining her, start off in walk only for a few sessions at short intervals and build up. Then you can introduce trot for a few sessions and go from there.
 
I would allow her time in a proper sized paddock before starting. i would then probably move onto hand walking, then long lining, then onto lunging with 2 reins and then maybe lunging with something like the equi-ami and then onto light ridden work etc
 
Yes her weight is okay. She's now out on about five acres.

Best get my walking boots sorted then 😉 I was afraid you would say that lol.
 
I brought a very unfit (and very fat!) welshie back to work a few years ago. I did as much work in straight lines as I could before we went anywhere near the school, I was concerned to give her time to gently condition her legs & esp soft tissues before starting circles or lunging etc.

I would second the suggestion about introducing proper turnout first if you are able, and then begin with in-hand work/long reining. Up and down gentle hills if you are able to, gradually building it up. Do you have another horse? if so perhaps you could progress to riding and leading her so she can increase her fitness and strength without a rider. Hacking is so good for this kind of work.
 
I would turn the pony out onto a hillside for three months if you have the option. Then start in spring as if she was a three year old.
 
I would add leading from another horse as well long reining you can go further it’s safer when you out and about and the horses enjoy the companionship.
I would also give it the supplement myoplast to help with its muscle development .
 
Treat as if she's been on box rest for a long time.
First week 5 to 10 mins in hand walking (purposefully) twice a day and each week (or every 5 days) add 5 mins till you are doing at least 40 mins twice a day.
This, coupled with being out, will really help build up muscle x
 
Just to add: there may (or may not, some animals are just unlucky) have been a reason she ended up where she did. So, it might be an idea to also treat her as pretty much unstarted? e.g. if you're going to long rein don't start with that, even just for the 5minutes, assuming she'll be fine with it mentally and simply unfit physically.

I've not done anything like this with a horse but have twice been involved in taking on dogs who hadn't been walked (in one case I knew the full history and the room he'd been shut in for 7 years). Both were not able to deal with certain ordinary situations / events / social interactions with others of their kind straight off.

So, watch out for the mind as well as the body - and good luck xx
 
Thanks guys, she is a very level headed little mare, I'm sure I could hop straight on and she wouldn't bat an eyelid just want to get her going slowly and carefully.

One other thing I should mention. This pony has a lot of driving experience and I have a suitable light cart. To save my legs would driving her at a walk for short distances be okay? Or should I avoid any 'work' for a while yet.
 
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