Please help - fitness question.

[Frances28]

This Sunday i am taking part in the British Heart Foundation sponsored TEN MILE walk.

My mare has not been the best lately and I am worried about her fitness and stamina. She arrived at her new yard two weeks ago – I rode her for a couple of days but then she got ill. She suffered an awful outbreak of bites round her body and mouth, her legs became swollen and I had to get the vet out who prescribed her with penicillin injections.

She seems fine now, the bites have scabbed and her legs are back to normal. She’s off the Bute and eating well. I still haven’t ridden her at all this week so as to give her a rest.

Am I being over cautious and paranoid about this walk? She always has an abundance of energy and hope it will do her good if I take it steady. I have raised allot of money and wouldn't want to pull out for being silly.

I’m not cruel am I !???!

 

[AmyMay]

I wouldn't be riding her - sorry.

 

[Frances28]

Why do you say that?

 

[AmyMay]

By your own words - the mare has no been the best lately and you are worried about her fitness and stamina.

She has been ill within the past two weeks - requiring antibiotics. She's not been worked this week (and presumably since she was first ill - so around 3 weeks off???).

So that is why I wouldn't be riding her.

You can always do it yourself on foot.

 

[RuthP]

I wouldn't be riding either. I always think that after antibiotics it takes the body a fair while to recover.

 

[Frances28]

I am still in two minds. Some say she will be fine and that she has loads of energy and go in her. Some say it'll do her the world of good and that she's a horse! Some comment to the contrary. I

She was fine on the lunge yesterday - she's itching to go forward but I am trying to keep her steady.

 

[AmyMay]

She may have loads of energy - which is great.

But has been unwell.

Hey ho. Each to their own.

 

[Frances28]

Just called the vet - he said she'll be absolutely fine.

I know what you are saying though - its indeed a judgment call.

 

[AmyMay]

Ah, all good then.

 

[Jellymoon]

It's only a 10m walk, how much fitness and stamina does she need for that?! Go and enjoy yourself, she'll be fine.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
It's only a 10m walk, how much fitness and stamina does she need for that?! Go and enjoy yourself, she'll be fine.

[/ QUOTE ]
It's not about fitness and stamina alone though - and my concern was based on the fact that she had been ill, and possibly out of work for three weeks.

You do a 10 mile walk carrying a small toddler having had no exercise for a few weeks, and recovering from illness - and see how you feel.

However, if the vet feels it's ok - then I'm sure it is.

 

[Scribbles]

Ah, but horses have double the amount of legs we do, so really it's only 5 miles

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Ah, but horses have double the amount of legs we do, so really it's only 5 miles

[/ QUOTE ]

Someone tell my horse that - he forgets he's even got two at times....