HELP please - fitness query

[Bounty]

My gelding was 'not right' about a month ago, and had three weeks off, and has spent the last week hacking out in walk to ease out any stiffness and now seems fine.
Previous to this he had been being ridden 5/6 times a week doing hacking and schooling/lunging, The schooling sessions were about 45-50 mins long and the lunging was working over raised poles etc. Nothing particularly cardiovascular.

Do you think I can get him fully fit (polocrosse) in three weeks?

My friends horse dropped down dead under him a couple of days ago, which is devastating enough as it is... but there is added stress due to the fact that the horse in question was in the pool of squad horses to be used for the UKvAus test matches, which was already 2 horses down before this happened

I'm feeling REALLY [****] and selfish at the moment that I have a horse here that is doing nothing and unfit, but is otherwise more than good enough to play in the test matches. I desperately want to do all that I can to help, but obviously not at the expense of his health/legs etc.

 

[angiebaby]

I would regard your horses fitness at the light work level. Personally I would not risk injury, especially doing fast work on hard ground. My pony was very fit diong moderate work, but not seeing the signs of him being tired, I pushed him and the result is sprained fetlock and 6 weeks out of action; 3 weeks of those on total box rest.
I have been told to walk him out for 20 mins a day for at least 6 weeks before I even think about trotting!

 

[cazza]

Bounty, just face it he won't be fit enough. I know what you have been going through recently and I advise you don't risk it. My new loan pony I have now had for a month and I am only going to play D grade on him at Midland at the end of the month as I don't think he'll be fit enough to do anything more than that. It's far more stressful for them on the pitch. And if your boy is going into a pool then definitely don't risk it as the opposition will ride him as they feel they want to and you have no say over that. I know as I had Ghost in the tests last year and I was lucky she was super fit and as hard as nails. How's Rage? give him a big snog from me

Hope you are feeling alot better now and look forward to seeing you soon. Are you going to go up for Midland at Arden?

 

[Bounty]

Thanks Guys!
I knew he wouldn't be... but just wanted to confirm my thoughts as I know I'm going to be pressured about letting them use him. Sometimes I think that I'm too precious with my horses, but I think it's just that the people in question are a lot less precious than most!

Now I now that I'm not being unreasonable I'll definitely stick to my guns.

Cazza - 'tis Rage I'm talking about...

He's good, very mischievous as he's not been worked as much as he's used to. I just feel awful that I can't do anything to help. It was Inky that died... the chesnut that Joel Sics used to play, and Tom Simpkin before that. Another stunning polocrosse schoolmaster gone

Will be at Midland socialising and grooming (provided that's not cancelled as well, I daren't discount it as a possibility the way the season is going!

). Spent the weekend with the Aussie's that have just arrived over here, they're a great bunch.

 

[cazza]

OMG how awful. It's funny how we all know each others horses so well. There has been another one but I'll pm you about that. Well you stick to your guns, don't let them bully you into it even if you do feel bad for them, there are plenty of other horses out there that they can hire for the tests.