Veterans - bringing one back into work

[TheoryX1]

I have to say I havent posted on here for ages and its nice to be back. A long story short, work has been my priority for too long and I have now decided to take some time away from my business, so now have plenty of pony time. My lovely old boy is 21 in May next year, he is still sound and has been living out mostly for the past 12 months and is very fat, fluffy and since the summer happily barefoot. He's not on any form of supplements apart from glucosamine, which he gets in a handful of chaff. He has a slight hock spavin, for which he is not treated as since going barefoot the slight shortness has disappeared. He had his jabs recently and the vet pronounced him in great health, and only recommended some devils claw if his joints got painful. He is very happy in himself and when I have ridden him occasionally is happy to be ridden and seems to enjoy himself - he 'purrs' when he is happy.
So, having time on my hands, I would love some advice on how to bring him back into work. I am not overly interested in doing dressage, which we used to do, but would love to take him on longer hacks, going for a gallop, going to the beach and Mini TX (my daughter) would love to take him hunting again occasionally. All I want to to have my nice fit cob back - for info he is irish and 14.3hh MW cob. He's well schooled, happy and will live mainly out over the winter. I do appreciate its going to take time and patience and appreciate he wont be able to work as he did when a bit younger.
So advice please, he hasnt been properly ridden for about 12 months, and he's intermittently ridden as and when I have the time.

 

[w1bbler]

Just get on & get going, build up slowly & listen to him - he'll tell you if your doing too much.
No reason once fit that he can't go hunting at that age - friends 21 year old was out all day yesterday & still jogging at the end.
Remember injuries often take longer to heal on an oldie, so be careful & enjoy.

 

[Auslander]

I've just started working my 19yr old warmblood, who has been retired for two years. I've been caught by surprise by older horses kicking up a bit of a fuss about being sat on again, so we took it very slowly the first time - but he has been angelic, and appears to be delighted to be doing something. He's very weak, so will need a lot of slow fittening work over the winter, but I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to have some fun when the ground improves next year. Just need to find someone reliable to ride him now - my current jockey is a flake!