Young horses fitness

[mineon]

Hi whats the best and quickest why to get a young horse fit safely.
I have a 5 yr old which has now been backed for about 3 months but due to kick to knee and current problem, I don't seem to be getting her fit very quick, i get a coulple of weeks then something has happened again to stop me riding her.
I'm hoping to be able to get ridding again in a couple of weeks and would like to get her fit asap so I can enjoy long rides for the rest of the summer.
Any ideas??
x

 

[Arabelle]

The best way to get a young horse fit safely is not to try and do it too quickly. Take short cuts and you risk the long term soundness of your youngster.

Start with walk work, I would recommend walking for 3 weeks, building up the length of the walks gradually until you are marching out for about 1-2 hours, including some hills. The introduce some trot, again building it up gradually and incorporating hills - some simple schooling work as well.

Introduce canter around the fourth or fifth week.

As always, listen to what your horse is telling you and how well they are coping with/recovering from the work. In any session, increase either the duration, or the intensity, but not both.

Rest days are important - ideally turned out, or could be a gentle walk.

Good luck
A

 

[BSJAlove]

if shes been injured then i would walk for a few weeks and increase etc. however if shes field fit, i would walk for a week then introduce trot. good luck!