Time to step up the work.

[khalino]

So, my 15yo horse has just let me know that he's ready to do more than just hacking out.
I've had him for just over 6 months and I'm looking to start doing low levelled Dressage with him and clear round jumping, but small jumps for the minute. I'm not ready for anything more.

Now, I can walk and trot just fine, and just starting canter in the school again and having lessons on an already schooled horse and him so I can start building on what he already knows and not knock either of our confidence. I have a trainer/instructor who is competent and supportive, I'd just like to see what everyone else has to say.

Now, I can and love to lunge him.
I have a Kavalkade HO system, which I'm going to start using to help with his carriage, as he's become lazy and I need to work on my contact (His bit mouthpiece is Loose Ring French Link, so nothing severe) as my hands are as soft and light as the baby Jesus. He's also as stiff on his left side as a plank of wood.

Question. What flexion excercises can I do when lunging to improve his flexibility? I'm not an "experienced" handler, nor am I a novice but I do pick things up quickly and ask for help.
What do I do at the moment when lunging: The normal, circle work and trying to work on different size circles in walk, trot and canter.

Q2. Would an actual pessoa help with building fitness and muscle?

Q3. Is a horse ever to old to learn/build? Is my horse too old?

Work under saddle I pretty much have in the bag, it's just something different to do on the ground.
I will also be long reining him, to build on his confidence in himself as well.

He's a very active boy and I've been building his fitness up gradually, and by no means is he anywhere near competition readiness, but he's showing the signs of "Come on, woman. Step it up!"

 

[Shay]

It might be worth trying to sort out why he is so stiff before you try to work him too much more. Have you had him vet checked recently? 15 isn't "old" old - but certainly old enough for any lower limb problems to manifest as one sidedness. He might benefit from a qualified equine physio? Carrot stretches will help too - as well as being fun on the ground.

The Kavalkade system was a new one on me so I looked it up -its basically a bit like lunging in a standing martingale - I do hope its elastic! I'm not one of those averse to lunging aids - but they do need to be used in skilled hands. I confess I do struggle to see how this system would do what the blurb says it does - but there you go. Pessoas and similar kit do have their purpose but you really need to understand what they do and why as well as how to fit them correctly. No piece of kit will help build up fitness or muscle - work does that I'm afraid.

I don't think a horse is ever too old to learn - and certainly 15 is far from old. If he's had a reasonable work life before now you could have an easy 10 more years at least with him ridden and potentially another 5 or so beyond that in retirement. Of course he can learn and build muscle. But you do need to be mindful of what he might have done before, how much strain he has been placed under and any old injuries etc.

Great that you have a good instructor - step it up and have fun!

 

[khalino]

Sorted it, it's actually lack of training. He'd been out of work for 4 years, galavanting around a field. I was suprised he didn't flip over when he sneezed to be honest, silly thing. I've been asking him to do things his muscles aren't quite used to.
As for physio, yes, he's going to see one in February now as that's when my bank balance will allow it (thanks to the scum of the earth extorting money from me left right and center).

Yes, the HO System just spoke to me cause it's not a lot of pulleys and ropes. It's not elastic but it will not be tight either. I do believe the purpose of it is to encourage a lower head carriage but promote a light contact. So "place your head here and joy will come your way" and then I believe it encourages propulsion from the hind end as well...It's easier for me to understand than the Pessoa, hence why it's my aid of choice.
I'm fully understanding that work is what builds the muscle and I put a good deal of that in I'm not lazy, but this knock in confidence is really rocking my boat.

Yup, he had a decent work life until about 10yo, I believe. SJ and Dressage. I always keep in mind his past, hence I'm not aiming for massive jumps or something strenuous like eventing

Thank you, I'll give it a good shot.