Plan for bringing a horse back into ridden work

[AntiPuck]

I'd like to ask for some input on a schedule of work, based on your experiences, please, as this isn't something I really have any experience of.

I have given my horse a break from riding since the start of Dec, to give us time to work on her body (upside-down posture, narrow behind, general youngster weakness) - in that time, bar two snowed-off weeks, we've done 2-4 in-hand walks per week (60-120 mins each), and then 10 mins per day of the Balance Through Movement Method exercises to improve her posture, and some static physio exercises. I get her going over logs, through forests etc. on these walks, and we also have very hilly hacking, so they aren't easy plods. She's a 6yo ID, lives out 24/7 in a herd on slopes. I am c.12% of her estimated weight inc. tack and gear.

Prior to this break, hacking 3-4 times per week, 60-120 minutes each time, but vast majority in walk.

I'd like to re-introduce her ridden work mid-late Feb, so after 2.5/3 months off - how would you recommend doing this, and increasing it over time?

I want to get her fit and strong enough for 4 times per week hacking (longer hacks 2hrs+ as weather improves) and eventually the odd fun ride with some log-popping, but for now that is all that we will do until she is older and stronger. Any tips much appreciated!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

If the horse has had daily turnout it won't have lost that much fitness I would just have a few days of easy riding then just crack on doing what you normally did.

 

[Dexter]

Mine has had a holiday over christmas and started work a month ago, but its been very stop start. Hes hacking out 3 or 4 times a week mainly in walk with some trotting, slowly building it up. Hes walking out with purpose and up into the bridle, rather than slopping along, and in between he's doing 2 or 3 sessions of ground and pole work.

We will just keep going like that and gradually up the trot and then start to introduce some canter work etc. If your only planning to hack steadily and keep up the ground work to increase muscle strength, then just start with short hacks and slowly increase the distance and intensity. Only increase one or the other while fittening them.

 

[sbloom]

I would honestly get a consultation from Katherine Lowry or similar, I think you want to really build on the BTMM work. Maybe just make a post and ask in the Master Class?

Ultimately if you watch her as you've learned to watch her in BTMM you'll be able to increase her work within her comfort levels and check HOW she does something before upping it.

 

[AntiPuck]

I would honestly get a consultation from Katherine Lowry or similar, I think you want to really build on the BTMM work. Maybe just make a post and ask in the Master Class?

Ultimately if you watch her as you've learned to watch her in BTMM you'll be able to increase her work within her comfort levels and check HOW she does something before upping it.

Yes I am a bit concerned about 'undoing' the good work done by BTTM by riding again, especially as not much opportunity to film or have anyone watch us, but yes a remote consultation is probably a good idea at this stage, thank you

 

[Miss_Millie]

Yes I am a bit concerned about 'undoing' the good work done by BTTM by riding again, especially as not much opportunity to film or have anyone watch us, but yes a remote consultation is probably a good idea at this stage, thank you

Please can you tell us a bit more about the Balance Through Movement Method? I keep hearing people mention it and am interested in signing up

 

[Red-1]

I cannot advise about balance through movement as I've not done it, but as far as getting back hacking is concerned, you never really stopped with the long and challenging in-hand walking.

For riding, I would simply cut the time back so the horse re-acclimatises to having weight on their back. Maybe mix it up with in-hand and ridden. See how the horse feels before upping the intensity and introducing faster work.

I found my horse changed shape considerably when walked in-hand and correctly. I would check the saddle also.

 

[sbloom]

Please can you tell us a bit more about the Balance Through Movement Method? I keep hearing people mention it and am interested in signing up

Google for podcast interviews with Celeste Lazaris, and search her and the method on here

 

[AntiPuck]

Please can you tell us a bit more about the Balance Through Movement Method? I keep hearing people mention it and am interested in signing up

I don't really think I can do it justice, so please don't take my crap explanation as being reflective of the method itself, but essentially it's a theory/framework and an accompanying set of progressive exercises designed to help unwind many common chronic issues with the horse's body and get them to instead to soften in places they usually hold tension and to use their thoracic sling correctly, so that (as i see it) anything you then go on to do with them is done in good posture and will have the desired effect instead of you strengthening a wonky horse, for example. You can do it with R+. I've been doing 10 mins a day of these exercises, it takes very little to start seeing the changes.

There is an FB group you can pay to join where you'd get access to recordings of discussions of the theory and guides to the exercises. Sbloom's suggestion to look up webinars about it first is a good one, as it will give you a better idea, Celeste has also appeared on some podcasts.

I made the jump to join, after debating it for ages and not really understanding what it was all about, because I had a session with a bodyworker who is a fan of the method and showed me how to get started with the exercises. They have definitely made a difference to my horse's posture and demeanour, she stands and carries herself much better now. We are still very early days with it, but I'm really glad to have given it a go.

 

[Miss_Millie]

I don't really think I can do it justice, so please don't take my crap explanation as being reflective of the method itself, but essentially it's a theory/framework and an accompanying set of progressive exercises designed to help unwind many common chronic issues with the horse's body and get them to instead to soften in places they usually hold tension and to use their thoracic sling correctly, so that (as i see it) anything you then go on to do with them is done in good posture and will have the desired effect instead of you strengthening a wonky horse, for example. You can do it with R+. I've been doing 10 mins a day of these exercises, it takes very little to start seeing the changes.

There is an FB group you can pay to join where you'd get access to recordings of discussions of the theory and guides to the exercises. Sbloom's suggestion to look up webinars about it first is a good one, as it will give you a better idea, Celeste has also appeared on some podcasts.

I made the jump to join, after debating it for ages and not really understanding what it was all about, because I had a session with a bodyworker who is a fan of the method and showed me how to get started with the exercises. They have definitely made a difference to my horse's posture and demeanour, she stands and carries herself much better now. We are still very early days with it, but I'm really glad to have given it a go.

Thank you for the explanation, it sounds really good! I'm very tempted to sign up

 

[Dexter]

I don't really think I can do it justice, so please don't take my crap explanation as being reflective of the method itself, but essentially it's a theory/framework and an accompanying set of progressive exercises designed to help unwind many common chronic issues with the horse's body and get them to instead to soften in places they usually hold tension and to use their thoracic sling correctly, so that (as i see it) anything you then go on to do with them is done in good posture and will have the desired effect instead of you strengthening a wonky horse, for example. You can do it with R+. I've been doing 10 mins a day of these exercises, it takes very little to start seeing the changes.

There is an FB group you can pay to join where you'd get access to recordings of discussions of the theory and guides to the exercises. Sbloom's suggestion to look up webinars about it first is a good one, as it will give you a better idea, Celeste has also appeared on some podcasts.

I made the jump to join, after debating it for ages and not really understanding what it was all about, because I had a session with a bodyworker who is a fan of the method and showed me how to get started with the exercises. They have definitely made a difference to my horse's posture and demeanour, she stands and carries herself much better now. We are still very early days with it, but I'm really glad to have given it a go.

Could you give an example of one exercise? Just to give me an idea of what you get told to do. I keep going back and forward, but its a lot of money for something that is behind a paywall. Listening to the podcast and looking at the FB page gives you lots of info about the ethos, which I agree with, but it sounds like I might be doing it, or very very similar already.

 

[skint1]

BTMM does sound really interesting, but I wonder if it's similar to what I've been doing with my horse already, (I've been learning about straightness, balance, core strength etc with Jenny Adamson's programme, but always happy to learn more)