Returning to work after a month off - how slowly to build it up?

[FestiveSpirit]

Probably everyone else is in the same position TBH, but Bob has been ridden today for the first time in a month due to snow/ice etc. We went on a 4 mile hack, walking mostly and then trotting up hills.

During the week he will have to be exercised in the school as I am working, so how gentle do I need to be with him after a month off?

He is a 15.2hh 10yo TB who was being exercised (flatwork in the school) for min one hour four to five times a week plus a hack of at least an hour once a week, with one day off. He has lost muscle

but then so have I

 

[amandaco2]

i like to do lots of walking for long time off.
my plan with my amre who has had a month off too, is to lunge sat and sunday to get rid of any energy/leapies for 20mins in trot and walk(if she will)
then get on monday, do 30mins walk and trot with some simple lateral work and lots of transitions to get her into 'ridden mode'
then do simple walk trot stuff for 30-40mins in the school or hacking out or 25mins lunging the rest of the week
week after start canter work again and introduce more demanding trot work again.
week after more canter work.

shes been out everyday whilst shes been off work so i am not going to do weeks of walk work with her.
i would take it much slower if they have had any injuries in the past.

 

[cheekycharley]

I rode my four year old for the first time today in 2 weeks (and has only been ridden 3 times in a month) and went for an hour walk.

Im probably going to carry on roughly as normal (2x walk hacks per week with sharer, 1 normal hack and 1 lesson) as he wasnt really fit before!!

I dont really know enough to offer helpfull advice!!

 

[Mickeymoo]

I walked Mick this morning for about 4 miles. He was quite lively but I kept him in a nice walk.

I will go in the manage monday / tuesday and do some transitions in walk and trot, but its forecast snow wednesday, so who knows after that!

Hopefully will be able to clip them both and start some serious work by the weekend.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Thanks for the feedback, it sounds like I was thinking along the right lines at least

Since I cant hack during the week I will stick to 30-40 mins of walk/trot this week (assuming weather/school is OK!) then build it up gradually over the two weeks after that

 

[jumptoit]

I've ridden mine for the first time in 3/4 weeks we took them for a long 'walk', about 1hr 30 and then I did half an hour in the school as they were so lively. They are both still pretty fit so I'm doing half an hour each day this week then back to normal next week

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