Getting horse fit

[fleabitten]

So, I've had an idea that I could maybe take on my cousins pony until I get my own and get him fit, as she isnt really into hacking and thats all she has facility wise - so basically he just sits in the field. Princess really does need exercising - i wish i could do it myself but the thought of it makes me feel a bit sick. Maybe I should put posters up? Anyway - if i was to get my cousins pony and hack him over here or get someone to exercise Princess how would I go about it? She really is totally unfit - took her out for a trot down the road on the flood day and her nostrils were flaring (so were mine ). It wasnt far - i hate running.

Anyway I have the following facilities:

• Hacking (roads mainly, but have a few bridle tracks but it would have to be long hacks for them - the nearest one would take just over 1 hour and the second one about 2 hrs maybe) Dont really have a short route (half hour route) but i could just go down the road a bit and turn maybe?
  
• A few separate fields - not big ones that you could have nice canters and gallops in but pretty small normal ones. But they are muddy at the mo. so only suitable for dry weather. We also have barrels and poles for jumping.
  
• A sand arena approx 5 or 6 miles away with some simple jumps (poles and barrels) - not sure if they would ask for a hire fee - they didnt the first time a few weeks back but maybe they would if you used it regularly. Or the use of the riding schools indoor or outdoor (although she doesnt let you use her new poly jumps so there isnt much equipment for jumps) - I think it would probably cost you but then again she doesnt really hire it out publicly so maybe not.
  

Was also thinking that maybe once she got fitter she could go down the to riding school and put on working livery until she was sold (this would be £40 a week but all looking after and exercising would be done for you. I think you would pay for vets and farrier and worming tho etc. Although when I think about it - RI might put me on her in my lessons and that would be even scarier than a nice walk down the road at home!

Im getting a bit worried about Princess as she is getting a big belly and a gutter and we cant really keep her on tiny sections of the field as it gets churned up, but cant really keep her on a big bit where she eats a lot. We do keep her in at night time now - i think thats gonna be the plan - i think it was only because of the rain but now thats messed all our plans so i think shes gonna be in every night from 4pm now - this morning she was out around 9.30. I dont like keeping her in all the time as its not good for her - it would be different i suppose if she was being excercised alot. And the past few days shes been looking sleepy and sick when i bring her in but then gets excited for her night time net.

I think I will post another thread about feeding her, so please post any feeding advice on there.

Any ideas on excercising etc post it here.

Thankies

[spotti]

So let me get this straight...you're thinking of taking on your cousins pony for a while, but don't know what to do about Princess. Am I right so far?

And would your cousins pony come to live with you (and Princess)? Or would he/she stay with your cousin and you just ride him/her?

Who was it who you said was really happy and confident on Princess? Was it your cousin or a friend of yours? If it was your cousin, couldn't they ride Princess for you in return for you riding theirs??? Your cousin wouldn't necessarily need to hack out with you, they could do what they liked with Princess while you enjoyed yourself on their pony...

*tootles off to see if you've posted another thread about feeding*

[rebanna]

how's selling her going?

[racaille]

Flea - I'm a bit confused too, but assuming you feel like riding your cousin's pony, the best way to get him fit is to hack him out slowly, short hacks at first, at walk. In fact, this goes for any unfit GG- slow and steady. As he gets fitter you can start to trot - hills are great - but don't bother with jumping or anything like that for a while.
My concern about turning him back on a road is that you may teach him that it is OK to dash for home, but I do think this depends on his character too. Ideally, a circular hack is best but if this is not possible, you'll just have to do the best you can.
Princess would benefit from being on working livery - if she is just eating her head off and getting fat and snorty, she's not going to show herself off to her best to prospective purchasers. You can tell the yard that you don't want to ride her for your lessons. They should not have any problem with that.
good luck!

[fleabitten]

spotti - ''you're thinking of taking on your cousins pony for a while, but don't know what to do about Princess.'' Yes I was thinking about that, but I think I need to turn my attention to my own pony until we get her sorted with a home etc.

When I was thinking about taking my cousins pony I was thinking of bringing him here as it would be handier.

i cant actually remember who said they were happy on Princess but I was talking to mum and my friend said she would like to ride her but we didnt discuss it further - mum said she woud feel responsible for her but it would be ok if someone took her to their house and rode her (dont understand this part!?).

I would like to just hack her but i think probably the best thing to do is stick her on working livery. Will discuss it with mum and will print out your suggestions to show her and see what she says.

Thanks for your advice ;D

rebanna - nothing and nobody interested at the mo. I think we are maybe gonna sell her at a sale but put a reserve so she doesnt go to meat man - was hoping to sell her privately but this may be the only thing to do. Nobody wants her!!!! Well they do - at the riding school that is - one girl was asking me, jokingly of course, if she could have her bidding starting at £60!!!

[spotti]

Well your cousins pony sounds like a good idea, as does working livery. How about asking the riding school if they'd like Princess as a riding school horse??? Didn't she come from a RS so hse should be ok going back???

[fleabitten]

Well, she is a bit mental - well not mental - just not suitable for novices, there would only be monday, tuesday, possibly wednesday, and saturdays that she could be used and that would only be 1 hour (still i suppose thats something). She seemed v tense and spooky at the riding school when she was down there and every time you tried to get on she tensed her neck and humped her back up. Every time you peeked over the door she jumped.

[spotti]

Bless her...bad memories from where she came from perhaps?

Shame about the RS because that would have been a great solution - she gets worked, you see she's ok and maybe even one day you could ride her! Never mind though. Hope everything goes ok with finding her a home and with your cousins pony

[fleabitten]

Maybe.

it would be a good idea - if we were sending her to someone i think it would be the horse phsycologist (see nervous rider workshop) or a local training yard. When we had her at the RS all the help we got was just her putting her in lessons - RI didnt even ride her, only once and she said a few times she was gonna try a pelham but she never did (i dont think she needed one but she was v strong when she was down there).

Thanks spotti although i dont think i will be riding her again any time in the near future,- ive never felt like that with any pony, that i dont want to ride it again - well i have but when i do ride it again then its not so bad - when i ride Princess every time is scary I dont really wish that i could ride her - because you cant change the way she goes even if you do sort out a few problems - i love everything about her except for the riding part!

[FirenLady]

any room to start some lunging?

[fleabitten]

Yes - well only a field. I should really give her a good session every time the ground is decent - will make a note to start that! We did do some loose schooling and lunging when it was lovely weather and the ground was dusty etc but then we've tailed off really.