[naughtygirl]

Coming Back Into Work...Where to Start?

The season is due to start here in August, so i want to start bring Charlie back into work. This is the first time iv had a horse that i have not ridden over winter, so i need some advice and tips.

First, i have very limited time after work to ride, say an hour or 2. For the first few weeks, how long should i be riding for and how hard? What sort of work should i be focusing on eg, walking on long rein, bending?

Second, should i start hard feeding him? We arnt short on grass or hay, that is why i havnt been hard feeding him over winter. I dont want him to have an over amount of energy at the moment.

Third, what else should i be doing? All advice taken

Thanks

Here is a photo of him in his current condition. If that helps (i really just wona show my boy off hehe )

[naughtygirl]

**bump Bump**

[missmatilda]

Hello I have a couple of years experience bringing polo horses back into work after winters off and we used to start by walking half an hour a day the first week (gives them time for the skin on their backs etc to toughen up) then we would start to introduce trotting - about 5 mins to start building up to half and hour once they got fitter. Then we'd start cantering , same lengths of time as for trotting. The whole process generally took 6-8 weeks and then they were fit to start playing polo (your horse probably won't need to be as fit as a polo horse though) We also started schooling them after the first 4-5 weeks - just getting them back into circles, softness etc. In the end they were doing 5 mins walk, 20 mins trot, 20 mins canter and 5 mins walk at the end to cool down. We had a sand track to ride on but you could start out round the roads etc.( if you do road ride keep a close eye on his legs to start with as they will need to strengthen up )
You probably won't need to hard feed yet , just hay is probably enough - I'd start hard feeding when your horse is fitter and using alot more energy up ( otherwise you might get out of control!! )

[JBandRio]

I wouldn't count on him being ready for much of any competition in a month, after having all Winter off. How fit was he when you stopped riding, what was his turnout situation like all Winter, and how fit does he need to be by August (early Aug? Late?) If he was very fit, and was out 24x7 then it might be more feasible for him to be ready in a month. If he was out 24x7 in more than a small paddock, it should be no problem to start by having 30 minute walks, daily, for a week. Really walking, not just lazying around. Then start adding trotting the 2nd week, 10 minutes tops (5 minutes each way) and add a few minutes each way every couple of days. Once you get to 20+ minutes of trotting, some canter work can be added.

Just remember that muscles and wind build fitness much faster than tendons and ligaments, so you have to be careful he doesn't trick you into thinking he's ready for more too soon.

[naughtygirl]

Thanks heaps you guys Great advice

[SammyDoodle]

Ooh he is a little round fellow after his long rest - lol

I would longrein and longline at first just to get him to start stretching over his back and start to work his muscles. Maybe a couple of weeks of ground work.

If you have good places to hack out I would do a lot of that when you start ridden work - out for 30 mins and build it up to an hour to two hours. Lots of up and down hills if possible. Hacking for a few weeks.

Then school work (short sessions walk/trot at first) and keep hacking. Add your canter and extend schooling sessons as you feel he is ready

If the season is at the end of August you might manage something - what classes are you doing? However I think I would more realistically aim for mid September

Good luck and post lots of pics as he starts working and let us know how he is going - I like Charlie

Oh I didnt say anything about the feeding - not because I am ignoring you on that - only because I am not a feeding expert and dont want to give you duff advice!

[naughtygirl]

Originally Posted by SammyDoodle

- what classes are you doing?

Thanks for your advice!!

Usually August is REALLY slow, just little schooling shows (flat classes, and maybe a few rounds of small jumps) Then in September it starts to pick up abit. My main focus for this season is ODE's which dont start till around Oct-Dec

[SammyDoodle]

Originally Posted by naughtygirl

Thanks for your advice!!

Usually August is REALLY slow, just little schooling shows (flat classes, and maybe a few rounds of small jumps) Then in September it starts to pick up abit. My main focus for this season is ODE's which dont start till around Oct-Dec

Maybe he will be ready for a couple of flat classes in August - just to get him back out and about - a change of scenery is always nice for horses who enjoy it - and it gives us riders something to work towards - I am lazy really and need a goal to get my bum in gear!