How to make an unfit horse fit?

[tashie1]

Hi im exercising my friends horse and I am just looking for a few tips on getting him fit. He hasnt had proper work in the last 12 months and I've had him in work for around 2 weeks now. I've been doing some hill work and also a lot of hacking out each day. I'm just wondering if I should canter him? as I've been told that I shouldn't as he could pull something, obviously I would warm him up for a good while before and end the session in the school with a canter? will that harm him? has anyone got any tips on what I could do in the school with him or if I should put him on some sort of schedule etc? Thanks

 

[AmyMay]

No, you walk him only for around 4-6 weeks. Then introduce some short periods of trot, building up over a further 2 weeks, before you introduce any canter work.

 

[Enfys]

Try a search : 'getting your horse fit' all kinds of programmes there.

Are you getting him fit for a certain reason, hunting, endurance, general all round? There are different requirements, but the basic fittening work is the same - walk before you can trot, basically, as Amy May said.

As for exercises in the school, I'll leave that to others.

 

[JenHunt]

4-6 weeks of walking, then introduce trot 100yds at a time, working up by an extra 50yds every week. after another 4 weeks introduce canter at the same rate.

at some point a couple of weeks into the trot work start to include trotting up a hill.... don't introduce jumping until you care cantering 150m or more.