Help please, my horse has had a month off.

[myheartinahoofbeat]

My horse has had 4 weeks off due to me being away on holiday and then a hoof abscess. He was pretty fit before the 4 weeks off and is half TB so fitness not a huge problem for him. I can find lots of info about bringing a horse back after a lengthy lay off but nothing after only a month so I'm guessing it's pretty straight forward. I'm thinking two weeks walk and trot and then start cantering and maybe jump in the 4th week. I'm hoping to event towards the end of March. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[be positive]

A month off should make little difference to his general fitness, assuming he has not been confined to a stable the whole time, I would give him a week of hacking gradually increasing the time and effort then crack on, I would be more than happy cantering after a couple of weeks and jumping after 3- 4.

 

[maya2008]

One of mine has recently had 3 weeks off (out in a field though). First week back was gentle arena work a couple of times (hacking being slippery at the moment!) then a normal hack today, just with a lighter rider. Her fitness was fine, not blowing at all even up hills and still keen to go by the end.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Thank you maya and be positive. really helpful advice