Need some ideas

[Sali]

Thanks to my lovely 'in-laws', my chaps are no longer usable. How typical is that? The first week in god knows how long where its just been warm sunny days(yes..WARM!) that I've had off work and I can't flippin ride. Can't afford new chaps yet...and wont be able to till end of month/first week of next.

Young(ish) mare who needs plenty of exercise and things to occupy her mind as she's a bit of a busy body. She's already had just over a week off due to no chappage, and we've been doing lots of long reining, really started to see improvment....then my stupidity and lack of concentration whilst leading her out the school meant she trod on one and snapped it...so long reining is also out the question!(I long rein over lunging because she holds onto the bit on the left rein)
Did lunge her the other day over some trotting poles and she did start to play with the bit a bit and let go. But I tend to avoid lunging like the plague...I just don't like it and neither of us seem to benifit from it.
I 'loose school' her most days anyway as she's rarely turned out due to lack of turnout. Although she has had today out because it's been so nice.

Any ideas to keep her fit, occupied and to keep on top of her schooling? Asking someone to ride her for me isn't an option.
I would of given her the time off to chill, but pointless as she's stabled so would just make her stress, and we do have a few competitions lined up for once I've got new booties.

Sorry..I've rambled quite a bit!

 

[spotty_pony]

-Lots of turns, circles, changes of rein, school movements etc to keep her listening to you.

- Ride for quite a while in trot (providing she is fit enough) to allow her to settle into an even rhythm.

- Get into a routine with her - eg try and ride her at roughly the same time each day.

- Try to take her out for a hack at least once a week (preferably more) and do lots of hill work - you don't need to go fast as walking actively up and down hills is good for fitness.

- Try and lunge her once a week too to provide variety to her work.

- You could try working her over poles to give her something to think about and to make schooling more interesting.

Hope this helps!

 

[dwi]

I don't wear chaps to ride anyway, have you tried without? I find that it doesn't usually rub or bruise provided I ride properly. Went out for just over 2 hours today including a lovely long gallop and my legs are fine

 

[Sali]

I ride in jeans, and I don't like it when people ride in jeans with no chaps.. =\ I have THE most sensitive skin in the world so on the few occasions I ride without chaps(and actually wear jods) my legs do bruise, regardless of what my legs have been doing *rolls eyes*

 

[2K85]

Vetwrap your legs for protection?