So, do I just get on or what??

sleepykitten

sleepykitten

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So following on from this morning, old mare can now be ridden again (walk only for 6 weeks or so) and she's been out of work for two years.

Teeth been done this morning, saddle was fitted to her, vet checked her over and all good.

So do I just tack her up and get on??

Or should I lunge/long rein/lead out in hand with tack on a bit first?

She can be cold backed, but always has been.

What would you do??
 
Personally I would lunge her in full tack just to let her get the feel of it back, see how she goes. If you feel confident, get on but with someone there as back up. Take it from there.
 
I would lead her in hand if you're only supposed to be walking. You don't say why she's been out of work but lunging is more stressful to their joints so I would not want to start on a circle. If she is cold backed then leading her out should allow the saddle time to warm her back up and do the girth up gradually as you normally would with any horse. And I agree with Polldar, have someone there as backup. I would lie over her at first so you can slide off quickly but the more you assume she's going to be fine the more likely she will be. Good luck and enjoy :D
 
depends are you allowed to ride gently in straight lines? If she is not meant to turn tight I would possibly just get on for a few mins and increase gradually if she can just come back into work no restrictions then I'd lunge to build some fitness for a week or so then start gently. Well, I'd aim to but if I hadn't ridden my mare for that long I'd probs be sat on her in her stable by now!!
 
Spotsrock you have no idea! its been hell. But i guess the time and effort have paid off, vets words were "suck it and see"!! Just have to play it by ear a bit. She'll only really be used for light hacking now as will never be 100% sound i don't think, so no stresses time wise, and no major expectations.
 
I agree with unbalanced, you don't want to start lunging her if she is coming back into work from injury, it causes to much stress on the body. Start walking her out and watch her movement carefully, if she is sound and confident start riding her for short spells increasing gradually with time. I wouldn't start with more that 5-10mins ridden walk on a loose rein.
 
team barney said:
I agree with unbalanced, you don't want to start lunging her if she is coming back into work from injury, it causes to much stress on the body. Start walking her out and watch her movement carefully, if she is sound and confident start riding her for short spells increasing gradually with time. I wouldn't start with more that 5-10mins ridden walk on a loose rein.
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^^AGREED^^
 
WALK!!! Either in hand or ridden, my mare did her check ligament about a year ago and came back into work end off march, was on box rest for quite a while, we did 6 weeks intiall of walk work building up from 5mins to 40mins then another 6 weeks walking and then just gradually built in trot work she is now doin some cantering, and was at the beach a few weeks ago. She now seems very good but the test will be at her first hunt. Yes she was rather wild the first few times she was sat on, I gave her some ACP though, which helped, all of this was done on the road. The first bit should off been in-hand work really but we tried that at the start off the injury and she went so mental she re did everything again but worse, she's 'slightly' easier to ride in one off her moments, and I've rather be thrown than have her run me over. Would it be possible to lead her off another horse, as she just been on box rest or been out in field at all? Calmers or sedaline/acp can be your friend at this point, safer on all accounts, and DONT feed much if anything at all! Hope this helps, sorry fairly long hope all goes well, o and I always cold hosed her legs down after riding just to help get the temperatue back down, and still do if done a fair bit.
 
I'd tack up, leave to stand for a little bit tacked up, quick walk up and down in hand maybe and then just would get on personally!
 
I understand your predicament..

I have a stroppy gelding who needs lunging loads before i can get on except he has just had his back done so straight lines are good, circles are bad

Could you long-rein if she is quiet enough?

Depends on her personality, definitely don't get injured, always be cautious xxx
 
unbalanced said:
I would lead her in hand if you're only supposed to be walking. You don't say why she's been out of work but lunging is more stressful to their joints so I would not want to start on a circle. If she is cold backed then leading her out should allow the saddle time to warm her back up and do the girth up gradually as you normally would with any horse. And I agree with Polldar, have someone there as backup. I would lie over her at first so you can slide off quickly but the more you assume she's going to be fine the more likely she will be. Good luck and enjoy :D
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I Agree with this
 
sleepykitten said:
Suspensory ligament injury
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I have one coming back to work after this. She's done several weeks of walking out in hand, increasing the distance, and progressing to being ponied off another horse. Then using a young grandchild ( lightweight jockey ) to ride off a lead rope before plonking myself on her. The kids can be useful sometimes.:D
Should be able to get back on her myself very soon as she is increasing in fitness and strength and keeping sound.
Fingers crossed for your mare's return to work.
 
Thanks everyone, thats really helpful. She is a real honey, bless her, and we had to do 4 months of leading out in hand while she was on box rest to get her to the turnout stage, she only once ever had a hooley, and every day i just led her out in her headcollar, no calmers or ACP required, so I don't think she'll go nuts, just a tad concerned that she will just quietly and economically buck me off!! :rolleyes:
 
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