loose schooling vs light hacking

[L&M]

Hi all,

I am trying to keep my son's pony fit for hunting (only short days) and is a 13.2hh sec b. My son can only ride at weekends/hols due to the lack of daylight atm.

I ride and lead with him 2-3 a week for approx 40 mins, and occasionally hack him out but take it very steady as think I am just that bit too heavy for him.

However I have recently started to loose school him which he really enjoys! We have a 50 x 30 school and he loves a real hoon around it, and will happily keep going at trot and canter for approx 20 mins.

So my question is, would loose schooling be better for fittening than a short/gentle hack, bearing in mind he does do ride and lead as well?

Thanks

 

[EMC]

I'm no expert but if he enjoys free schooling then keep it up! If he is in a safe area and booted up if needed then why not? He can move freely and burn off a bit of energy and have fun at the same time.

You could incorporate poles, small x-poles etc. to get him lifting his legs and keep his brain occupied. Do some changes of direction and pace, free schooling is great for practicing voice commands too which might be handy when hunting!

With regards to hunting I don't have enough expertise to help, but I'm assuming he would need some ridden work to keep him 'riding fit', do they still do road work to 'harden the legs' of hunters?? Sure some others on here can recommend further...

 

[L&M]

Thanks EMC - he does do road work when I ride and lead, and incorporate plenty of trot work/hill work, so that is covered.

When I hack him I might let him have a short canter, but not to the extent that he likes to do in the school.

Good idea re some jumps and think he would enjoy that. He is so sweet as when he gets in the school he gives a little squeal and a buck, and then basically self excercises!