For multiple reasons, Mare has had about 8 months mostly off. I maybe rode her 4 or 5 times in that period. We have now moved to a new barn and I am looking forward to getting more regular rides in. Right now, she is kind of marshmallow-y (as am I). I have NO aspirations, plans or goals other than to ride her regularly and enjoy her. Are there any “get you and your flabby mare back in shape” plans out there? FWIW, I did bring her back to work after a very long lay-off from an injury when we got her. I just don’t really remember what I did!
Walk! No one gets hurt walking. Assuming she’s not recovering from anything (just fat), and she’s been on turnout, I’d start with 30 minutes of power walking 5x/week. After 2 weeks, add 5 minutes of trotting per day. Each week, either make the total ride time a bit longer (more walk), add a few more minutes of trotting, add terrain/cavaletti, or (once you’re trotting at least a few weeks) add cantering minutes. Without an injury, it’s more about adding things gradually so you don’t cause muscles to fatigue than any specific progression.
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We did a nice, long walk session tonight. Lots of off the leg stuff, some circles, square turns, etc. She has been in 24/7 turnout for a while. She will have turnout when nice, stall when it’s not at the new place. She’s also still barefoot, which is about to get fixed (her feet + mud = pulled shoes).
And was it my muscles or hers that you referred to? :). Seriously, my breeches are WAY too snug right now. But I refuse to buy a bigger size.
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As a previous poster has recommended walking never hurts. Start off slow and build up, especially depending on the footing where you are riding. After your walk sessions, add in some easy carrot stretches, ab lifts, etc. Videos can easily be found on how to perform the stretches correctly. I am assisting in the rehab of a my lease mare (she was on complete stall rest for 5 months) and between her vet guided walking rehab program & the stretches her top line and fitness have come a long way.
