Horse turned out on hills for first time - how long to adjust?

[Brimmers]

Hi all,
My new boy has arrived and has behaved impeccably so far... couldnt be happier with him!
Hes 14, is completely out of work, no topline and hasn't been turned out on a hill in about a year.
Hes out all day (7am - 4pm) with some pretty hilly parts in his field as well as some flat bits. How long will his body take to adjust?
I have the saddler coming friday to fit him with a saddle, so far we have been doing 20mins walk in hand on the flat roads but I dont want to rush things, get on and start getting fit if his body is still adjusting to the turnout.
Thoughts?

 

[Lady Jane]

I would just treat him like an unfit horse coming back into work? Why do you think he needs different treatment?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

About 5 minutes! He will obviously take some time to build up muscles but that will happen more quickly/easily in hilly turnout

 

[Brimmers]

I would just treat him like an unfit horse coming back into work? Why do you think he needs different treatment?

My thought was that a horse who's only been out on flat fields would need a couple of weeks to adjust to the hilly turnout - 9 hours of walking around on some steep hills for a horse that hasn't seen a hill in a long time would have needed some adjustment time?
However... happy to be wrong! I'll get started as soon as we have the saddle ?

 

[ycbm]

He may be tired for a week, is my experience living on a hill, but get on and ride according to his energy levels.

 

[Brimmers]

Fab. Thanks all.

 

[samleigh]

I did exactly the same 6wks ago...hills have done her the world of good, not sure how I'll feel in winter, sliding our way down to the yard haha