Bringing back a horse into work

[FirenLady]

I've started thinking about bringing Trav back into work, Theres no urgent hurry but I think I have to do a bit of planning as there is usually a 4-6week wait for the saddler. (he is very good and very popular!) Also gotta think about Fire (who had not been left alone for 7yrs and went spare when he was). (although I nought an insuarance policy on Saturday, a horse lyx licks, Fire is so addicted he gives himself a molasses mouchstache )

I turned Trav away at the Start of September, but continue to tack him up and lead him out in hand once a week. Anyway continued with this until the bad weather came and we lost Lady then it all went a bit way side. Although He still had a good groom once a week

Last Sunday me and oh took him out of the field with no tack just to see how Fire would react. (and he was very good) So on Wed tacked him up and took him out for another stroll only for 5 mins. I don't wanna stress him or Fire up, Fire whinnied once but trav didn't seem to care. Just walked and ate grass. Then on Sun another through groom. (which he loves!)

So I was thinking for the next few weeks just tack him up and take him out in hand once a week building up the time a lil bit each time. With a through groom once a week too.

Then tack him up twice a week for a few weeks, once leading out in hand the other just mastering the lunge in walk. (hes a bit usless on the lunge, tends just to stand and stare at you) With a good groom.

After that perhaps a bit of trotting on the lunge introduced and getting him to stand near the mounting block whilst I jump up and down on it. (did this just before bad weather came and he didn't seem to care). Leaning over the saddle etc once a week with a walk out and a groom. Then build up to hopefully getting on him start of and of march start of April. Does this sound ok? Or any other ideas? Then I would book the saddler for early-mid April. Nothing would be set in stone, just play be ear but as a rough guide.

I was thinking during the Summer I would have someone professional ride him as well. (good idea? bad idea?) Just thought it would be good to have other people ride him, as Fire is a one person pony. Then he could hack out with Fire. (which I think would do him the world of good).

Chocolate chip cookie cake with yummy icing for all who made it to the end.

[solomon]

Sounds good to me but I am no expert. Trav is so lucky to have you taking such good care of him.Ihave to put Barney in his stable with hay when I take Pete out, he is fine inside, if I leave him out he goes nuts, breaking fences!

[dannyboy]

FL, I don't have any advice as no experience but I'm hopefully going to be bringing Murphy back into work soon so will be following this very closely - Good luck!

[racaille]

Personally I would not bother with the lunging yet. It is hard work for a horse. If he were mine (well, this is what I do with P) I would start hacking out very gently, walk only for a long while, gradually building up confidence and muscles. Then introduce hills (if you can) and gently progress to some trotting. You want him to become blasé about being out, so I'd keep it slow for quite a while so as not to train him to think that hacking = a blast!

[fleabitten]

I think i would agree with your plan in that its introducing him slowly to tack and work again - pretty much rebacking him. Maybe better safe than sorry. I dont think a bit of walk or trot on the lunge will do him much harm FL.

I like the idea of a professional as then they will be able to help you train him to be obedient and schooled and with the fine tuning and also will be able to teach you too!

Sounds good

[FirenLady]

Thanks, Travs wierd when I take Fire out sometimes he barely moves about in the field and others he tears around like a rocket.

Took him out on Wed and he was really good, didn't bat an eyelid at anything and took him quite a bit further. I think he quite enjoys having a poodle about. Left Fire with his precious molassess lick and he gave himself a tash

I think I have found someone to help me ride him in the Summer too My oh met her through his work and she does eventing, has 5 or 6 warmblood tb sorts and her Mum has a cob who she rides in dressage. Will be great for him to be able to go out with Fire.

I'm afraid hills are few and far between round here, maybe the slight bump but thats it. I think Trav is having a go at fittening himself up a couple of times a week by galloping about when I take Fire out. I only walk him at on hacks at the moment, and will probably continue to do so for quite a while. (we only did walk last year) His brakes are good but there are so many creatures around here you never know when one is going to jump up beneath you.

[maximum]

Like Rac I am not a fan of lunging too early as it puts a lot of pressure on joints tendons and ligaments. Even just walking on the lunge is hard on young legs.

If you dont want to get on him too quickly then leading in hand would be best.

I seem to remember Trav was a bit strong on the lunge - I was going to suggest long reining but if he is not used to being long reined might be best to stick with in hand until he learns his boundries!

Once you start its a case of little and often - so start with 20 minutes walking everyday for a week then second week build up from 20 to 30 minutes and by week three 45-60 minutes.

keep to straight lines for the first 3 weeks and then introduce circles of 20 meters in week 4.

Week 5 introduce trot work you should now be walking for 60 minutes so start with 1 minute trots every 20 minutes. Build up to 3 minutes trots every 4 times a session .

Week 6 you can start very short 1 minute canters 2 per session up to 4 per session by end of the week and you can be doing more schooling by now with at least 2 days of hacking only.

by now he should be pretty fit and you can start pole work with him.

[FirenLady]

Thanks for that Maxi thats really helpful. I've been taking him out in hand and he seems to be really enjoying it. Have also stood on the mounting block and leant over him, I don't actually think he would have minded if I got on.

Trav is odd on the lunge, He did go through a real hooligan stage, (he dragged the lunge out of my hand and cleared off over a 3ft 6" fence!) or he is dope on the rope who doesn't want to move. With Fire I have always ridden him before feeding him, even if we go out till one o clock. Trav however doesn't appreicate this and all our hooligan lunging issues dissappeared once he was fed before working him. I'd love to long rein him, but have never done it, so daren't try. I would think being a driving pony hes probably have done it. Although being a ridden pony, you'd think he'd know how to lunge but I think someone skipped that and just hopped up Saddlers coming 6th of April so that gives me something to work towards.