Bringing the older broodmare back into work is

[floppyammy]

I have a unique opportunity to care lease a very nice teenaged mare. The mare has had the last 3 years off to have a few foals. Prior to that, she had a very consistent and successful career as 1-1.10M jumper. Her USEF record is pretty long and distinguished.

What would a reasonable schedule look like to bring her back into work? She’s been on full turnout in large and hilly terrain (think Madden Mountain type of turnout).

Obviously lots of slow work, short sessions, incorporating groundwork, tack walking and some lunging, etc.

Would love to know if anyone has a program they have followed that they could share as an example.

@Inimitable I know you did this successfully with your fabulous TB mare!

[Inimitable]

I didn’t really follow a program, but I think you’ve got the right idea with slow, short work, tack walking, etc. I didn’t lunge much at all, except to get her comfortable and relaxed working in my indoor before I sat on her for the first time. And if she’s been on full turnout in a large and hilly pasture, you’re already well ahead of the game! A lot depends on her body condition/composition too. Does she have a typical broodmare bod, or has she retained some core and back strength? The equiband is a great tool, used carefully. My mare is very long backed with kind of a scrawny hind end, so I was constantly mindful of core/back/hip strength. Her body seemed to truly transform before my eyes in what was really only light/moderate work. My husband was jealous of Maya’s gains while he sweated his arse off lifting. lol

This was my rough timeline: first ride was May 12, pretty sure I did mostly walk and a bit of trot for 7-10 days; then started introducing super short canters. Trot poles and crossrails came pretty quickly and we went to our first horse show over itty bitty jumps at the end of July. By October we were comfortable at .80m. She had a ton of time off over the winter, basically no jumping and all flatwork when I did manage to ride. This spring she came out ready for the .85s after legging back up and by June we were consistent in the .90-95s and have been dabbling in the 1-1.05m this summer. I think you’ll find she comes back very quickly since she’s going back to her old career, not learning a whole new one (like racehorse to jumper). She sounds LOVELY! Pics please!

Edited to add: I am very much a DIY ammy. My horses are at home and I am a one-woman show with all of their care and farm chores, etc. Some weeks I’ll have time to ride 5-6 days, other weeks I don’t ride at all. More often it averages 2-4 rides per week. Obviously if I have something on the calendar I will prioritize riding, but I am by no means consistent. It’s not ideal, but it’s the best I can do. It helps a ton that my horses live mostly out in a herd. They’re also all TBs who keep themselves pretty fit being utter hooligans.

[floppyammy]

Thanks @Inimitable for the detailed response. It helps to know what you did and what you were successful with. Thank you for sharing your timeline. I do have a plethora of options. I will be boarding at a place that has a large indoor, outdoor, round pen, dressage court and grassy hacking field. I do also have an equiband - I’m glad that you mentioned it, as it has been something that has crossed my mind. I have used it in the past for both rehab and for a young horse that had a long back/weaker hind end, similar to what you describe. I wasn’t sure if an equiband would be too much for a broodmare. I thought I can always use it sparingly at the walk at first.

I have plenty of time on my hands to be consistent and take it slow. One thing that I am not sure of is that she is a WB, not a TB, so I don’t know if it will be harder to get her back in shape. I don’t have any pics yet. I get to have her on trial for a few weeks, to decide if I want to commit to a 6 month care lease with option to buy at the end.