Help Please.

[Barney&Buzz]

My 4 1/2yo Mare Barney has just had her foal Buzz weaned off her 11 days ago, I am looking for help arranging an exercise plan for her to get her fit enough to back, I have access to 2 sand and rubber schools, horse walker and lunge pen, plus off road hacking, Can some one tell me the best plan of action for her, she's 14.1hh Dartmoor x Arab
Thank you

 

[Maesfen]

Please give her at least six weeks from weaning before you do anything with her. She needs that time to dry up and to start regaining her strength too as it takes a lot out of them to rear a foal no matter how small a pony they are. You can start getting her used to the tack at the end of that time but please don't ask her to start lunging or anything.
When you start to work her (it must be after she has dried up completely else she will be uncomfortable) begin exactly as you would with any other youngster, learning to lunge gently (don't let her get sweated up, the idea is not to tire her out at all) then go on to long reining so she learns how to change direction etc. As she gets fitter you can ask for more, it's just like bringing any other horse back into work; slow and steady so take several weeks before you ask too much from her. Be warned, it takes a baby a lot longer to get fitter than a horse that has been in work before.
If you haven't done this before have you anyone experienced to help you - sorry, that's not meant to sound patronising!

 

[Barney&Buzz]

Thank you Maesfen, she already accepts tack, lunges and long reins as this was all taught to her before we knew she was in foal.

 

[Cortez]

Hmm, that's interesting, as we always lunge our mares to help them dry up after weaning! The movement and work do make a difference in them not getting mastitis or very sore bags. You are right about babies needing longer to get fit when first starting.

 

[Barney&Buzz]

Thanks Cortez, That's what I'd heard too. I don't plan on sitting on her till new year anyway.