Veteran Fitness

[flowersgirl]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to H&H forum so not sure if I'm writing this on the right page.

I own a 31 year old thoroughbred x connemara who I retired last year due to severe weight loss.

I have recently moved him to a new yard with plenty of grazing. He is now thriving and has put on the lost weight (plus more). I have ridden him on the odd occasion which he is enjoying. I would really love to ride him a little more but wanted some advice on how best to get his fitness levels up.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Liz

 

[Magicmillbrook]

I think I would be inclined to do little an often, starting with short hacks, a little trotting and see how he copes. You could also try some long reining so he can excecise without your weight on his back. You dont state if he has any other isues such as arthitis etc.

 

[flowersgirl]

Hi Magicmillbrook

Thanks for that, I never thought of long reining him.

I took him out yesterday for about 30 minutes and he thoroughly enjoyed it. We did mostly walk but did about 20 strides of trot (his decision) lol.

He's been ridden 4 times this year.

When he was at the old yard he was very stiff in his one knee, (field was quite hilly) but since moving yards he has no stiffness whatsoever. The new yard is all on the flat.

He was on a joint supplement but when he had colic (November 2010), I stopped all supplements as he had to be starved for 3 days and food then had to be gradually introduced and i have yet to re-introduce the joint supplement. At present he has a little corn oil in his feed.

The only other ailments he has are melanomas due to being a grey.

Liz

 

[Bug2007]

Little and often, building it up on his say so....you will know when he is ready for more.
Lots of walking, will build up the fitness.

 

[Ladylina83]

Ah have you got a pic of him ?? I have a 19 year old TB xConny !

You could try feeding micronized linseed, brewers yeast and rosehips as this is very good for joints add seaweed and you've got yourself a pretty natural balancer. Simple systems do it ready mixed as total eclipse joint care. Fab stuff but you can make it yourself for cheaper.

Long reining is a really good idea, walking out and the odd hack will do no harm either.

I am thinking of putting a track system in my field that gets them moving more too


I am also called Liz

 

[Milanesa]

hey, i also have a v old horse 35ish yrs and i keep him in regular work over the winter. He is an x polo pony so i am lucky enough he is happy to be lead out whilst me riding another so it is slightly easier on him in his old age! he is out atm and having a few months off, but when he comes in i will start with daily walking out and just gently building up to some short trot periods, brisk walking is great for fittening horses, and some gentle hill work too. Mine is on cortaflex for his joints, which i find is amazing, along with some oil. great story and hope you have many more happy years with your veteran! x great to hear change of yards has helped him out and allowed him to put weight on.