Bringing back into work with limited options

[sonestra]

Hi everyone,

I am beginning to bring my coming 5 year old gelding back into work after 6 months off due to my pregnancy. I’m looking for some exercise/fitness plans, since I don’t have access to trails, fields, or hilly areas. I do not know how to long line, though I know he has done it with the trainer who started him. However, the way she did it was in the style of longing; meaning on a circle. She never stood behind him and had him go all the way around the arena, so the wear and tear on his joints was the same. I worry about too much longing for that reason, but I don’t know what else to do to get him back into work mode.

I don’t want him to become too fit before I get on him, but I also am reticent to get on him without his brain being back in the game. Additionally , I don’t want to hurt him in any way. He’s always been a good boy when in work, but has a playful nature, and his ground manners have slipped while I’ve been away. Any suggestions for a plan that is a happy medium? Thanks so much!

P.s. We were schooling first level before the time off.

[Rerider54]

Keep in mind your fitness also. Just because you are not pregnant at this time it doesn’t mean your body is back to its former levels. As an example, many elite runners get injured right after a return. Do you have anyone to give you a hand for his first few rides? Hopefully you are getting plenty of sleep as well 😉. All healthy at home? Take care of yourself. We tend to want to push on with everything and don’t always remember to practice good self care.

[AnastasiaBeaverhousen]

Would your trainer be willing to give you some long lining lessons using your horse?

I understand about not having hills or trails but can you take your horse around the property in hand?

The way I warm my horse up is go walk about all around the barn.

There are some hills but we also walk on the flatter areas as well. We walk all around the paddocks and I give him time to look around and check things out.

We dont lollygag around however. We walk around at a brisk pace and I expect him to work and pay attention and focus on me.

I found out that my horse is much happier and much more relaxed when I do this. Plus it will benefit you as meaningful walking will help build your stamina .

I dont say it will replace all exercise but anytime you can spend with your horse is good and it will give you a chance to bond with him .

you can also work on his manners while you work him in hand. Reinforcement on good ground manners is never wasted.

Hope this helps and congrats on the new addition to the family.!

[Hawks_Nest]

I wouldn’t worry too much about waiting too long to get on. A few days of some remedial ground work and some basic lunging and then get back on and walk. And walk. And walk. I’ve found that for all that an out of work horse might be wild on the ground, they are generally much more manageable under saddle and happy to have a job.

It will be plenty boring for you but be patient and do lots of walking and gradually add in more.

[outerbanks77]

If you want to learn to long line, check out the Double Dan videos. I’ve toyed with long lining before, but found these DVDs really helpful, and it’s been very easy to get some basic LL going on my mare, who was at a similar level to your horse before she injured herself and was off for over a year.

Some in-hand lateral work can be useful too, just to get him focusing, thinking where his feet are and suppling up a bit.

Overall though, if he’s had turnout during the layoff, I bet he will come back pretty quickly.

[Lucassb]

I second / third doing a ton of walking. You can do all sorts of exercises at the walk without stressing an unfit horse (or rider!) back into work and make a lot of progress even on the flat.

[joiedevie99]

Ideally, you longe for a day or two, then have a friend or trainer ride for the first 2 or 3 days - just 20 minutes of walk, trot, canter with lots of walk breaks to make sure you don’t have anything explosive in there. Then you take over and start conditioning. It’s really hard to hurt a horse at the walk. Power walk for most of your ride, with a few laps of other gaits mixed in. Very slowly increase the amount of other work.

[mzm_farm]

I’m starting to bring back a youngster of mine after 6+ months off.
My plan is simple (horse lives in field with friends):
day 1 bring in from field to barn and get fed,
d2 same plus groomed,
d3 same plus tack lunge,
d4 same + tack lunge, in-hand arena work, stand by mounting block for pets,
d5 same as day before plus get on to walk cool off,
d6 same plus add work in walk,
d7 same plus start adding work in trot and reducing lunging.

Note: lunging is a warm up brain/body exercise - not tire out brain/body exercise ( 2-4 mins each direction, may build up to 5-6 as fitness increases - 1-2 walk, 2-3 trot, 1ish canter; goal is horse nostrils flaring but not sweating).
If any of days don’t go well, repeat until they do. So far, my horse lines up to mounting block, stands like statue and looks at me funny when I step off, pet her and go to repeat.

Good luck with re-starting your baby! Have fun and stay safe!

[Juxtapoze]

@joiedevie99

Ideally, you longe for a day or two, then have a friend or trainer ride for the first 2 or 3 days - just 20 minutes of walk, trot, canter with lots of walk breaks to make sure you don’t have anything explosive in there. Then you take over and start conditioning. It’s really hard to hurt a horse at the walk. Power walk for most of your ride, with a few laps of other gaits mixed in. Very slowly increase the amount of other work.

^ I second this. Brought many back to work myself (some who have sat for years) following this plan and never had any issues. Mostly walk, a little trot. After a few rides, maybe add a few laps of canter. Gradually build up duration of trot & canter work. 20 mins is a good amount of time to start with. Keep it simple & expectations low for first month or two as you get in sync and fit together. Listen to your horse, his back, his breathing, he will tell you what he’s up for. Best wishes!