Mares returning to work after a foal.

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shadowboy

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I've never had a mare before thats just had a foal weaned off her and wondered how you get the mare fit and re-backed. This particular mare hasn't been ridden for 3 years as had 2 foals but was easy and sensible before she had her foals.

Do you got back to basics like you would with a 3 year old unbacked or is the process quicker?

Also what kind of problems might I come accross/has anyone found that once brought back to work the mare was bad to ride/preffered the mothing lifestyle?

Many thanks
 
Personally I would go right back to basics and almost re-back as 3 years is a long time for a horse not to have been ridden. Take it slowly and don't be in a hurry to work her too much in the beginning. The mare will have lost alot of muscle tone required to carry a rider. I would start with lunging for a few times without tack and then introducing the tack again and carrying on the lunging. All this over a period of 4 - 6 weeks maybe.

You wont know how she is untill you start on her really. Give her a bit of a once over in the way of feet and teeth check etc and take it from there. Good luck
 
Depends on the mare, I would say. Mine had been off work for two years and I just put the tack on and took her down the road, built it up from 10 minutes to start with over a period of about 6/8 weeks. If you can't trust her 100% better to take your time and be safe rather than sorry.
 
Mine's been off for two years and had been off for two before that. It is my intent just to put on the tack, lunge and then get on (which was never easy at the best of times). I expect her to be just the same as she always was (awful). She will buck, fart and squeal. I'm really excited about getting back on as since she's been gone my young gelding has given me more confidence. If you don't know the mare then I'd be tempted to spend £150 on a week's schooling (but then I am a wimp).
 
Sorry for hijacking but this is a bit uncanny really as I was about to start a thread asking exactly this!! My friend is thinking of taking on a mare that has previously been a broodmare, although prior to this she raced. My friend and I were thinking that she should have her checked by a vet and a Mctimmony specialist before starting a program of gentle exersize (Stretches, back lifts and walking in hand) followed by lunging without tack. We then though lunging with tack before trying to reback her. I'll watch this thread with interest as I'd also like to hear other people's experiences.
 
Best bets are to re-back.
Lunging, introducing to tack, lunging with tack, free school if you can. Things like that to build her up. Maybe get some help from a friend when you get on her? Just to lead around for a bit.
 
Nickles1973 said:
Sorry for hijacking but this is a bit uncanny really as I was about to start a thread asking exactly this!! My friend is thinking of taking on a mare that has previously been a broodmare, although prior to this she raced. My friend and I were thinking that she should have her checked by a vet and a Mctimmony specialist before starting a program of gentle exersize (Stretches, back lifts and walking in hand) followed by lunging without tack. We then though lunging with tack before trying to reback her. I'll watch this thread with interest as I'd also like to hear other people's experiences.
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I'm glad its of use to someone else too!

I don't know the mare- It's actually a project that I will start then the OH will take over as she's 16.1 and he needed a big horse- but he's never backed anything but i've done 5 previous but never re-backed an ex- broodmare.

I was wondering about tack- I know with babies i've always used a cheepish wintec as they change shape so much would you do the same with an older horse- she is 12.
 
I am just about to start riding Trixie again after a year off. I had backed her year before last before I knew she was expecting and she was easy as pie. But I am worried she will be more lively now not under the influence of relaxing pregnancy hormones.

I plan to lunge to check she still recognises voice commands, walk out in hand to check she is still happy in traffic and build some fitness then short walks under saddle with a friend on foot to get my confidence up before we return to short hacks and gradually building up. I don't have an arena so I will have to only work her on the lunge when the ground is right which is a total pain at this time of year so it could be a slow process.

Good luck and let us know how you get on. Roll on springtime and sunshine :)
 
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