How long to get a horse fit ? and how ?

[niagaraduval]

My boy hasn't been worked for around 4 months now as he was very unwell. He has been out 24/7 now which has done him a power of good.

He has lost a lot of muscle which is to be expected. How long does it take to get a horse fit again ? Does anyone have any ideas on how I get muscle him up again ?

He is looking slightly stringy without his nice muscly bum/back..

I am just so happy to be able to get back on board again.. I want to cry !

 

[be positive]

I am 11 weeks into rehab with a horse that had almost 4 months box rest, 3 weeks walking in hand then a few weeks out in the field.
I started with 20 mins ridden and increased a little each day, he was lacking muscle but generally in good condition so no reason to be too slow, he did 5 weeks walking building up to doing 1-11/2 hours 5 days a week, the other days doing some groundwork to build up his muscles in a different way, he had injured his leg so needed to learn how to use it properly again.

After 5 weeks I was allowed to gradually introduce short trots, these have been extended over the last 6 weeks so he is now doing 1-11/2 hours 5/6 days a week with several decent trots, uphill on the roads or on the flat on grass, he is now getting pretty fit, totally bored and spooking until he has had a good trot to settle him, hopefully will be able to canter this week after he sees the vet again, horse just wants to get back jumping but as he is still not 100% sound this may be some way off.

He looks fab, really muscled up and raring to do more, the steady work is really worth doing properly, mine has been a bit slow as he has still been struggling with soundness, not that he seems to notice, 12 weeks should get them to cantering comfortably as well as looking good with a decent amount of topline.