How long off to lose fitness?

[tinap]

I was writing a reply on another thread but it sounded like I was hijacking so thought I'd better just post my own!!

Quick run down for those that don't know the background. Our pony was super fit, out competing BS/PC & a bit of eventing when he had a fall, causing lameness in fetlock. No damage just bruised.

After 8 weeks off he was all mended & sound & started to be ridden again in walk (well, when he would just walk) then after 4 weeks is now in trot. The trouble is, he is bored s@*$less & just wants to canter!! He has always got bored easily & loves to be in work or gets really fed up or naughty. He actually broke out of his field, into the jumping ring 2 weeks ago & took himself round a few jumps!!!

Is it best to persevere & try to win the battle to keep him in trot for a while longer or is it likely that he hasn't lost as much fitness as I maybe thought? He's ridden at the mo every day for around 40 mins, or goes for a 4 mile hack with mostly trotting. Looks slightly sweaty & knackered when finished although as I said, constantly has a fight with daughter cos he wants to blast!!

Sorry for sounding a bit thick - I've never had to bring one back into work after injury before & am not sure how quickly fitness levels drop.

Thanks xx

 

[be positive]

As he was very fit prior to the injury and it did not involve tendons or ligaments you should be fine to pick up the pace in his work now.

I would just be a little careful with the ground conditions , canter in straight lines on hacks rather than round in circles,start his jumping on a good surface but as he is fine dont be too over-protective and risk further problems by fighting him, he is more likely to do damage if arguing and pulling against the rider.

One of my livery ponies knocked his fetlock at a ODE recently, he was very lame for a day or two but quickly improved with a week off and a following easy week, this week he is back to full work luckily as he also hates going anywhere slowly

 

[tinap]

Thanks BP - sounds just like ours!

So far he's only been hacking out on roads & schooled in the arena - the fields are rock hard at the moment. Jumping would also be in the arena so a nice surface. Think I may let her have a canter today then (well I really mean an asked for canter as opposed to a bugger he won't stop canter ) xx