Horse Fitness After Time Off

[ShowjumpingPrincess]

Whilst this topic has likely been done to death and to a degree varies on an individual basis, can anyone advise me on how quickly I should bring my horse back into work and how much, if any, fitness he will have retained.

Whilst I’ve been away he has been turned away with a couple of other horses for 5 weeks in a 12 acre field (lucky *****!). Prior to this he was at Novice eventing fitness; each week he was on the gallops once or twice, gymnastic jumping once, flatwork or long walk/trot hacks three/four times and one day off.

He is a 12 year old KWPN (55% blood) in good shape (other than a bit of a grass belly!), he has never had a soundness/physical issue and is more ‘leg in each corner/Irish type’ than most KWPN’s. He is seeing the physio this Saturday before I start working him again.

How long would you guys recommend to stick to walking, when should I start schooling and when should I start fast work and jumping?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Red-1]

After only 5 weeks off I would not be too concerned with a lot of walking, as he was not ill and he has not been cooped up in a stable.

I would pick up in the first week with some light schooling undispersed with hacking. After that I would just see how he feels in work. I may leave jumping for a couple of weeks, but would be fine with poles and even the odd X jump just to tick him over.


I think his reaction to hills will be the best guide.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would build his fitness up over a few weeks 5 weeks in a large field is not long at all he would have kept most of his fitness by walking around himself, I would maybe walk for a day or 2 then just start trotting and cantering he might get a bit out of breath to start with if his got a grass gut but that will soon go if his ridden regular enough.