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Post by nffan on Sept 29, 2013 7:36:39 GMT
I have a 22 yr old mare who has not been ridden since she was 17, she had some time of to have babies., she had her last foal in 2012. She has stopped breeding now and I can't decide what to do leave her retired and relaxing or bring her back into very light (gentle hack a couple of times a week) work.
Has anyone had any experience bring an older pony back into work after a break ? How did you do it ?
I'm assuming some long reining to build her muscles back up for a couple of months.
She is a very healthy pony and you would never know she was 22, seems a shame for her to do nothing for the next ?? Years....
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Post by stass on Oct 5, 2013 5:51:13 GMT
We did the exact same thing with our brood mare last summer, she had had a 10 year breeding break and was also 22. She started off lunging just in a cavesson to build her initial fitness and then in a chambon to develop her top line. Once her back was strong enough she started on short hacks and we built up from there, we even went to somerford park on the farm ride (after about 6 months) The most important thing is to take it at her speed, older horses take longer to get their fitness back but getting back into some work has given out mare a new lease of life, she loves being a nanny on hacks.
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Post by nffan on Oct 5, 2013 6:38:18 GMT
We did the exact same thing with our brood mare last summer, she had had a 10 year breeding break and was also 22. She started off lunging just in a cavesson to build her initial fitness and then in a chambon to develop her top line. Once her back was strong enough she started on short hacks and we built up from there, we even went to somerford park on the farm ride (after about 6 months) The most important thing is to take it at her speed, older horses take longer to get their fitness back but getting back into some work has given out mare a new lease of life, she loves being a nanny on hacks. Thank you... |
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Post by stass on Oct 5, 2013 11:39:23 GMT
If you want any more advice just ask  |
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Post by ponytastic on Oct 12, 2013 15:51:28 GMT
Bring her back into light work It'll keep her fit and will also stop her getting bored (even though she probably wouldn't argue to being turned out permanently)  |
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