How long does it take to get back to cometing after time out?

[pocket]

I have just been forced to have 5 months off following an RTA and aim to get back in the saddle in January

Has anyone else had a long time off and how long did it take you to get back into the swing of things? Is March too ambitious to do some dressage?

Ralph has been ticking over with my instructor and a friend has been hacking out, so, he is reasonably fit, it's Mum who may be the problem

 

[conniegirl]

if the horse is fit and kept ticking over then low level competition shouldnt be too taxing within about a month.
I normaly take all winter (sept to march) off as im at uni and it takes 2 weeks to get my riding beck to where it was, however if youve had an injury and i presume will have lost some of your fitness, then it may take longer!

I dont think march is ambitious at all if your back in the saddle when you plan to be.

 

[Rambo]

I had an 18 year break from riding in which time I gained a lot of weight and lost virtually all my fitness. I bought a new horse in the September with a view to starting to compete again the following spring...but ended up doing an unaffiliated show about end of october time and then jumped my first BSJA the week before xmas. I think in view of your relatively short time out, and the fact that it's 'only' (

) dressage that you're talking about doing you should be fine

Obviously no idea about the extent of your injuries mind you so could take longer depending on that. Good luck though...it's great to have something to aim for

 

[pocket]

Thanks guys, light at the end of the tunnel, I cant wait, just a hack around the woods will do at the moment.

I'll let you off saying its only dressage.........

 

[catembi]

I had 6 months off from competing (bd, bsja) as my horse was ill & then I subsequently lost him. I was made redundant v unexpectedly in the same week, so it took me a couple of months to get another horse, who was only 4 & had hardly done any comps.

I would say, don't rush yourself. Start off hacking or doing a bit of light schooling to get your riding muscles working again, do a few lessons & see how you feel.

You've got 4 months til March, so if your injuries are okay, you've got plenty of time to build up your riding fitness. Apparently muscle has a memory, so it only takes you half the time to get back to where you were as it took to get there the first time round, if you see what I mean...

Good luck!