Getting a Horse back in shape

Idrivetrotter · 07-03-2009, 07:01 AM

Well, he will be sore and resentful after "long trotting" all day.

You are asking too much too soon. It is unfair to the horse to ask him to go on long trotting trail rides. His feet, tendons, ligaments, and muscles are not up to the job. If you were mostly walking I would be very hesitant on it, to say you will be doing a lot of trotting, forget it.

To bring a horse back to riding after 21/2 years off would take 3 to 6 months of work.

tazassape · 07-03-2009, 07:23 AM

Go camping with your horse. It's not like he has been sitting on the sofa for 3 years. Horses are not like humans. They are on their feet and moving 18-20 hours a day. I'm not saying take him on a 15-20 mile ride, but I really don't think 3-4 hours is gonna kill him.

kierababy · 07-03-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idrivetrotter

Well, he will be sore and resentful after "long trotting" all day.

You are asking too much too soon. It is unfair to the horse to ask him to go on long trotting trail rides. His feet, tendons, ligaments, and muscles are not up to the job. If you were mostly walking I would be very hesitant on it, to say you will be doing a lot of trotting, forget it.

To bring a horse back to riding after 21/2 years off would take 3 to 6 months of work.

I never said we would be long trotting all day. We wont be doing anything above a walk. I said right now we long trot for a couple of min. and then walk again.

Idrivetrotter · 07-03-2009, 03:44 PM

You can do it if you like, it is your horse, just give him a good massage after riding, keep an eye on his legs and make sure his feet are doing OK, and make sure he drinks a lot of water.

I've noticed horses that have been on long lay ups don't drink enough water when they come back to work at the start. Make sure you have electrolytes and offer plenty of water breaks and keep an eye on him.

MysticRealm · 07-03-2009, 10:55 PM

Hmm, isn't this the horse that is lame (the one with the sore feet as well)?? and you are still considering taking him even after saying you would not ride him till he was better? Hopefully you are talking about 2 different horses.

07-03-2009, 07:23 AM	#22
tazassape Full Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lewisburg La. Posts: 197 Images: 23	Go camping with your horse. It's not like he has been sitting on the sofa for 3 years. Horses are not like humans. They are on their feet and moving 18-20 hours a day. I'm not saying take him on a 15-20 mile ride, but I really don't think 3-4 hours is gonna kill him. __________________ My horses try to teach me something every day! http://www.freewebs.com/diamondwappaloosafarm/

07-03-2009, 10:55 PM	#25
MysticRealm Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,221 Images: 54	Hmm, isn't this the horse that is lame (the one with the sore feet as well)?? and you are still considering taking him even after saying you would not ride him till he was better? Hopefully you are talking about 2 different horses. __________________ Proud Owner of Elis (Canadian Sport Horse), Markie (thoroughbred), Bear (pomeranian/shih tzu/ terrier), and Styder (Toy Poodle) and Vega (thoroughbred)

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07-03-2009, 07:01 AM	#21
Idrivetrotter Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 828	Well, he will be sore and resentful after "long trotting" all day. You are asking too much too soon. It is unfair to the horse to ask him to go on long trotting trail rides. His feet, tendons, ligaments, and muscles are not up to the job. If you were mostly walking I would be very hesitant on it, to say you will be doing a lot of trotting, forget it. To bring a horse back to riding after 21/2 years off would take 3 to 6 months of work.

07-03-2009, 03:44 PM	#24
Idrivetrotter Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 828	You can do it if you like, it is your horse, just give him a good massage after riding, keep an eye on his legs and make sure his feet are doing OK, and make sure he drinks a lot of water. I've noticed horses that have been on long lay ups don't drink enough water when they come back to work at the start. Make sure you have electrolytes and offer plenty of water breaks and keep an eye on him.