will she ever be fit enough?

[blowsbubbles]

Excuse a bit of a self-pitying moan. 6 months ago I took on an additional share horse as mine is getting on and its not fair to ask her to do jumping, long rides etc which I ve really missed.

I found a sweet mare who had been turned away for >6 months, overweight and unfit. Was offered a 2-3 times a week ride on, her shoe costs, minimal yard duties and only on my riding days so a pretty good deal.

I ve spent all this time building her fitness up/ bonding and while we ve had an OK time it has not been doing what I d intended but building towards it.

She is now injured (not due to riding) and we re back at square 1 and I ll be doing in-hand walks for a while yet etc.
Whilst she is a sweet horse she's not got the flashyness or forward goingness I m accustomed too. And at the moment I can never see her getting fit enough to do a x-country \ jumping course etc with only me riding her twice, sometimes 3 times a week.

I'm sorry im in a bit of self pity state tonight, so need telling I ve got a great deal which in many ways I know I have, and keep with it.
She's already overweight on grass but now needs feeding and only gentle exercise. Will 2 days a week ever be enough to get her fit as I slowly build it up?
As I'm the only one riding her I ve asked in the past could we get another sharer for her to help with her exercise but refused. I can't dedicate any more time due to already having my own. I hate the idea of dropping owner etc but also don't want to feel I'm futile in investing my time??
I just can't decide what to do???

 

[NZJenny]

You didn't say why this horse was originally turned out for six months - was it due to injury? Hard to get a horse fit on two days a week, you don't say how long she is to be out again for, but if it's for six weeks or less she shouldn't be too far from where she was when she stopped working. As long as the weight is kept under control.

I can't really comment on the arrangement (share doesn't really happen in NZ), but by the sounds of things you are finding the whole deal frustrating and going no where.