Winter schooling advice

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dollyb

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I have a pony I wish to contest veteran classes with this season but am really struggling with getting any schooling in because of the ground. I am only able to hack at the weekends and the school we have at home is completely saturated and now just mud. My pony is 16 and relatively unfit therefore I don't really like schooling her in the paddock as it really takes it out of her and she goes poorly in the ground. I don't have a trailer license and so am finding that I can only plan to take her elsewhere to school when someone is available to take me. Has anyone got any advice as I am really beginning to doubt whether she is going to be anywhere near 'match fit' and so will be wasted as she is a top quality pony
 
In what way does she go poorly in the paddock? Perhaps if she is slipping about in canter then just do steady walk/trot work with her there during the week and do canter work on hacks if you can? It does sound like a tricky situation.
 
She just doesn't go forward and trips a fair bit over the humps in the ground. I have been planning to ride out during the week but that involves main road work in the dark which I'm a little cautious of. Maybe I am being too soft?
 
The ground will improve eventually, the days are already getting longer so I would do what you can for now to gradually increase her fitness, some in hand walking during the week, long reining and continue to hack at the weekends, once conditions improve make the most of it to step up the work. You may be a bit behind others who have good facilities so work on other aspects such as getting her coat in tip top condition by grooming and strapping, that will help with her muscle tone as well as making her look and feel good.
Possibly plan to start the showing a little later in order to have her as you want rather than go out feeling that she is not quite how you want but from now until April, when most serious shows start, there is plenty of time if you do what you can when you can.
 
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