lunging an unfit horse before riding?

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darkhorse123

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About 6 weeks ago my cob had a really bad chest infection so couldnt be ridden for a month - now we have bad weather so im not really up for taking a fresh horse out hacking in this snow and ice

But I am worried about when we start hacking again - he will so be on his toes after so many weeks off!

Someone has sugested i lunge him first - but is this a good idea when hes had a chest infection and is unfit?

How would you get hm back into fitness - considering he is very fizzy and raring to go - from past experience i know when hes not been out in a while hes a bugar to settle down ie spooky, napping

Im just worried lunging might be too much for him to begin with - he does not do walk on lunge :)
 
Its a tough one.

Has he been turned out and allowed to burn off any energy in the field? If he is going to be silly on the lunge then don't lunge him. Turn him out before you ride and then either ride in the school (presuming thats where you would have lunged?) in slower paces for the first few times, or hack out with a friend and a steady horse.
 
ty honey yes hes had daily turnout since beign poorly - vet advised as much fresh air ie turnout as poss - so hes been out more since, at least 12 hours per day

Its just he has so much energy - even leading him in its a nightmare though i accept it coudl be cos of time of year and hes hungry - ty i will take him in school first and ask friends to hack out with us

Id just like some sort of exercise programme - how to build back up x
 
Put your safety first, lunge. I have been there, if he goes completly nuts, and you don't want to over do it, don't ride after. In this weather, they don't need to do much to injure you or themselves!
 
6 weeks isn't that long ago - my boy is the same...if I don't ride for a week he's a nightmare! Lol! I would lunge him just for 5-10 mins, just to get the tinkle out of his toes :-)
 
ty everybody - i think i was a bit worried that people say lunging is harder work for the horse - (and as he is recuperating) - i will lunge him for a short while - again ty x
 
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