Sorry a weight thread - older horse

Penny Less

Penny Less

Joined
10 March 2009
Messages
7,682
Visit site
I have not ridden my horse for nearly a year, she is 24 now and a cross something !. Not cobby though. She is 16HH and I am just under 12 stone, saddle etc must be a stone too. I am thinking about riding again, only hacking, do you think she will cope?
 
depends on how well muscled she is if she has been ridden by someone else then no problem if not then it would have to be slowly and steadily introducing the weight back to her.
 
She hasn't been ridden at all during that time. I want to just try and go out for short rides, as we have no school, but it would mean turning round on myself which is not a really good idea. If I rode and led which is another option I would have to ride the first half as I would not be able to get on again once off !
 
Just do it gradually. No more than ten minutes walk every day for the first week. Then add five minutes on the second week until you have half an hour walk. Then 45 minutes and then an hour in walk only for a couple of weeks. Then introduce very short bursts of trot and slowly build up. If at any time she is not coping, then she probably needs to be retired. Good luck.
 
Was there any reason why she wasn't being ridden? If it related to an injury obviously you need to be happy that has resolved. Take it slowly as wagtail has suggested, be aware her saddle may no longer fit that well, also keep an eye for any heat in her legs and for any excessive sweating which would indicate she's finding it a struggle. Hope things go well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top