[3WishesDun]

I am looking for any experience, tips, suggestions on bringing a horse back into work after a long time off. (about one year)
I want to take it slowly.... and help him strengthen his hind end.
I would also like to do under saddle, in hand, and work in the round pen.

Just a little history- He just turned 14. Never had any significant issues until a year ago. Came up intermittently foot sore on the front end. X-rays showed 0 palmar angle in 1 hoof and negative PA in the other.... He appears to have congenital abnormalities in both front navicular bones. (right is bipartite-two pieces and left is tripartitie-in three pieces). He has had almost 8 months of corrective shoeing and his feet are finally in good shape. He is shod in full rocker shoes with pour in pads. He seems very stiff through the back to me. I wish I could find a chiro or massage therapist in my area...but so far I have been unsuccessful.
Thank you in advance!!!

[Xiphias]

April, I would just start with some trail walking, or walking and jogging in the ring, you could also do round pen him....but only like 20 min. for the first week or so....when I am conditioning a horse, I will stress it for 5 or 10 min. then walk till the respiration comes down to normal....for a horse that has not been worked for a year, you will find that he will break a sweat fast, but as you work him, you will find that 20 min, will no longer stress him, and then you can up the work....slow and steady, is the best way to get a horse back up to speed...good luck...Cathy

[John]

Start slowly. Just making him move for the first week not breaking any speed records. I would make sessions about 20 minutes. His muscles will be sore for the first while and he may get a bit cranky. I find that an early morning workout at the same time will have him looking forward to the exercise in a few weeks. At that time increase the workout gradually . Do both sides and his bad side most. Once he shows a bit of condition it is back to a saddle.

[3WishesDun]

Thank you very much Cathy and John!

[arabkid]

Does he know how to long line, or ground drive?

[3WishesDun]

Originally Posted by arabkid

Does he know how to long line, or ground drive?

No- I don't think so..... at least not that I have done with him. (my sister might have when he was younger-I didn't get him til he was 3)
But that's a great idea....and there's no reason why he can't learn!
Thanks Megs.

[arabkid]

Originally Posted by 3WishesDun

No- I don't think so..... at least not that I have done with him. (my sister might have when he was younger-I didn't get him til he was 3)
But that's a great idea....and there's no reason why he can't learn!
Thanks Megs.

It would be really good to get him bending, and this way you don't have to get on his back until you and him are both ready and he's more in shape...

Whatever you decide with him, good luck!! We both know how exciting it can be when there is a possibility of our horses staying sound....

[3WishesDun]

Originally Posted by arabkid

It would be really good to get him bending, and this way you don't have to get on his back until you and him are both ready and he's more in shape...

Whatever you decide with him, good luck!! We both know how exciting it can be when there is a possibility of our horses staying sound....

Thanks a million Megs..... he definately needs to get more supple.
And Amen....on the soundness!

[JKetsche]

Bending, yes, but not a lot of circles. I would start with more straight lines and wide turns.

I would start with about 20-25 minutes, most of it walking (up and down hills if you have them). Some people don't even trot right away, but when you do trot, do really short sets with lots of walk breaks, but make sure most of your walk is a working walk, working over his back (but give him breaks from this as well). Gradually increase the trots. Make sure you are working both directions evenly. And if you're doing it on hills, don't trot down them at first--only on level ground or a bit on uphills. Your horse will tell you how hard you can push, but err on the side of caution. It can easily take 6 weeks or more to really build them up properly. Also, remember that lunging is tough, so don't do a lot of that, especially early. Good luck!

[3WishesDun]

Originally Posted by JKetsche

Bending, yes, but not a lot of circles. I would start with more straight lines and wide turns.

I would start with about 20-25 minutes, most of it walking (up and down hills if you have them). Some people don't even trot right away, but when you do trot, do really short sets with lots of walk breaks, but make sure most of your walk is a working walk, working over his back (but give him breaks from this as well). Gradually increase the trots. Make sure you are working both directions evenly. And if you're doing it on hills, don't trot down them at first--only on level ground or a bit on uphills. Your horse will tell you how hard you can push, but err on the side of caution. It can easily take 6 weeks or more to really build them up properly. Also, remember that lunging is tough, so don't do a lot of that, especially early. Good luck!

Thank you so much!