i need a bit of advice please

[Dogbetty141]

I have just started to ride my horse after 4 months of work due to colic surgery and need some help on a fitnes plan. I rode him for 15 mins on sat just in walk around the little village were he is kept he was a star but was tired tho but thats to be imagined! could someone think of a fitness plan for me please! thanksx

 

[Jemayni]

Aww congrats; remember your posts about when it was a life or death scenario - it must feel great to clambour back on board!

As for a fitness plan I really have no idea about a return to work after such a surgery. But generally when Im brining mine back up ater lameness I start him out at 5 mins and build it up by 2 mins each day, until he is doing 30 mins walking, then I introduce 5 trot & build that up slowly until I can do a good 15, then introduce canter. Basically it just a case of using your initiative, increasing his work load as he feels fit enough to increase his work!

 

[Lucyann89]

Aww congrats! You could spak to your vet, I imagine they will have the best kind of idea.

Personally, I would carry on as you are and only walk for around 2 weeks, then build up to trot and then canter/jumping..whatever you are into really. Don't work him every day, maybe 4 times a week, and vary what you do with him.

Try hacking out safetly, polework, lunging, walking him around in-hand, asking for basic transitions (walk-halt-walk) etc at first, basic movements (leg yield?), circles, serpentines....the list is endless really! But doing these things will not only bring him safetly back into fintess, but improve your partnership, his responses to your aids, muscle tone and build a really good foundation to then increase work load.

Good Luck

 

[henryhorn]

The best way is plain walking, just increase the length of time and hills etc over two weeks. Then start short periods of trot, and as the horse gets fitter the odd canter.
After a lay off it takes around a month to six weeks to get back to normal riding.