New, unfit horse

[Amye]

Hi! I'm new to the forums and to horse owning!

I have recently bought myself a lovely warmblood but he is quite unfit! From what I understand his previous owners did very little schooling with him and mainly hacked him out.

I was just after some tips on a good fitness routine for him? He's 14yrs old so I don't want to push him to do too much too soon. Im just looking at getting him to a good level of fitness for schooling and a bit of jumping in the future and also for nice long hacks when the weather is good. He also is lacking in a bit of muscle so would like to build this up too.

I have read hacking is good for fitness and plan to do lots of this while the light is good, but, as I haven't ridden him since I've got him, planned to ride in the arena the first couple of times. There is also a very good hill near by (on the road) which I am thinking of walking him up a couple of times a week.

He seems to find canter transitions difficult in the school (I know this can be down to fitness too), I did manage to get a couple out of him when I viewed him but he extends a lot in his trot, would lunging help with this? I also hacked him when I tried him and he cantered fine on the hack.

Last thing (I promise), any tips on a good diet for him while I am getting him fit? He is generally a good doer and has just been on grass and hay all summer but I think a good bit of feed will improve his condition.

Sorry for the long post! Any suggestions appreciated. Just want to do the best for him, I don't mind if it takes a while to get there

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I wouldn't increase his feed just yet - see how he does on what he is having now, as you increase his work.
Depending on what he has been doing, consider a fitening programme similar to a hunter's - 6 weeks walking up and down hills - really get him marching out and using himself correctly before you introduce trot, then make sure he can sustain the trot before intorducing canter.

As for your initial arena sessions, which I think are wise with a new horse, stick mainly to walk, doing circles, serpentines, transitions (walk/halt/walk and within the pace), lateral work, pole work, insist on crispness. Many big horses struggle with canter in a small arena, so probably best to teach him to balance himself properly when you canter on hacks before expecting much in the arena.
Correct riding, particularly when hacking will help him to build up his muscles in the right places.