Hopefully...

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harrihjc

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Hopefully Flash is being shod today, which means I can very slowly start bringing him back into work. I've been told it will be around 3 months before he's fully recovered again if all goes well, and I have to spend the next 2 weeks at least just walking, but not in the school, so we'll be wandering circles in the dark in the field I think, as our hacking is terrible and far too exciting for someone who is supposed to be taking it easy! Any suggestions of how to stop us both reaching a state of mind numbing boredom!?
 
I would do loads of turns, circles, squares,diamonds etc. You can make large changes of rein to start with before asking for more precise patterns. Then get him really bending and going forward on long rein and then lenghtening and shortening. Lots of changes of pace within walk. Anything to keep you both interested. I'm going to be doing the same thing with my boy starting on friday.
 
Has your vet advised you to work mainly on straight lines?? If so that could rule out some schooling options. Poles are a good idea, you could also try long reining, you could long rein or walk in hand outside of the school. I guess it's going to be boring for a while, I've been through it myself, walking around and around with horse in hand endlessly!!
 
they haven't said to stick with straight lines mainly. I rode for the first time in nearly 6 weeks tonight, and he was as quiet and laid back as ever, I was just holding the buckle. His walk seemed more free and swinging which was great
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He's lost so much muscle tho, he's like a little weed now with a barrel belly
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Personally I'd forget all schooling plans - especially circles and changes of rhythm/direction/pace - You need to just allow your horse to work in a comfortable manner - which means allowing him to just walk (but do insist that he walks - don't let him amble along) By all means encourage him to stretch down into the bridle - but don't be too particular with him in the first few weeks - your vet will just want you to do basic walk/strenghthening stretching his joints/ligaments type work to begin with to ensure he's strong enough in the future to carry out any circling work!
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Have you explained that your horse isn't good to hack? If your vet knows this then he may allow you to walk large around the arena rather than risk you being tanked off with in the field?
Good luck
Kate x
 
The condition will come back - don't worry! If he was mine, I would stick to straight lines for the first few weeks, just to be on the safe side. At least you are back in the saddle!
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The vet hasn't given us any advice, just said to take it easy, the physio said to just walk for a couple of weeks and gradually build it up, so we're just wandering round his paddock at the moment as our school is very deep and on a very tight circle. I might try to take him out at weekends when its quieter. LOL at him tanking off with me, you could have stuck a 2yr old on him today! I'm really just letting him stretch but keeping him active, given half a chance he's just stand and stare at his reflection in the window of the house next door like he does when he's turned out
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yeh you're right Mickey, he's only young and there's no rush, so i'll stick to straight lines as much as possible. He has been turned out for the last 2 weeks and races round like an absolute loon! Thank god he doesn't do that when I'm on! So glad to be back in the saddle!
 
Aw bless him - he's probably glad to be doing something again!
It's slow and boring work bringing a horse back to full fitness -but soooo rewarding!
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Kate x
 
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