Back in work

[Farm_Girl5]

Hello everyone,
I may be getting a pony. Well kind of. You see my best friend's friend has gone to uni and doen't have time to ride her horse so she asked me to ride it for her so I'm kinda half owning him. He is a 13.3hh pony and hasn't been ridden for some months. I was wondering what kind of work would I do to build him up again? Should I just walk the first few times or what? This has alwyas been my dream but he lives 40 mins away and it's jhard trying to get there but I'm doing my best. He's a grey and is named Billy.
Hope you can help
Kristy

[Medalia]

What was he doing originally? If he was a hunter, then get him jumping at least 3 feet, and steady (but DO NOT start off right away) keep him there, and eventually a little higher.

If he did cross country, make him run a lot, and be able to have exessive stamina.

[Farm_Girl5]

I think he was used as an eventer. So he did all 3 things. So what should I start off by doing? Please help!!!

[Medalia]

ask the previous owner of what he was EXACTLY doing, height and level of difficulty.

Work him up to there, and then if you like, then work him up to harder stuf, but you don't have to neccessarily do that...just a suggestion.
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[Helby]

If your new pony hasn't been ridden for some months, you must get him fit again before you even consider galloping around and jumping 3ft fences!!!. This will take at least 6 weeks, of working every day. If you can't do that, don't expect your pony to perform what you want him to do, ie eventing.
You must gradually build up his muscle and fitness level, if you don't all sorts of injuries will occur to him. You must make a weekly plan. Start of walking for half an hour. Make it longer by the end of week one, say 1 hour. In week two start walking and trotting, and so on. There are plenty of good books that have a fitness plan that will suit your particular pony, but please don't just get on him and expect him to go round a 10 mile x-country course having not been ridden for several months. It would not be stupid but very selfish.

[Farm_Girl5]

Thanks for the replies. I wouldn't dream of cantering in the first week or even month maybe. I figure the first week with be walking and practicing halts and stuff and maybe walking over poles to get him concentrating and then a slow trot and stuff. Whatcha think? I can't see him every day because he is 40 mins away and I can't drive so it's going to be hard. I'm still not sure whether I can get him or not. It really depends on a few things. Well keep your fingers crossed for me.
I'll need it.
Happy Riding
Kristy

[Helen]

I HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT A 16 YEAR OLD MARE WHO HAD JUST HAD A FOAL BACK IN TO WORK. WE STARTED BY LUNGING HER AS THE FOAL HAD TAKEN A LOT OUT OF HER. BUT WE HAVE NOW BEEN RIDING HER FOR 3 WEEKS. WE STARTED BY JUST WALKING HER AROUND FOR 15 MINS. THEN AFTER A WEEK WE STARTED DOING INTERVAL TRAINING IE 5 MINS WALK 2 MINS TROT. WE BUILT THIS UP TO 5 MINS WALK 15 MINS TROT OVER ABOUT 45 MINS.
WE ALSO DID ROAD WALKING ESPECIALLY GOOD IF YOU HAVE LOTS OF HILLS AROUND. SHE IS NOW ABLE TO SCHOOL FOR AN HOUR(INCLUDING SMALL JUMPS) AND HACK OUT FOR 2 HOURS. A GREAT IMPROVEMENT FROM THE VERY TIRED HORSE WE HAD AT THE START!!!
GOOD LUCK WITH BRING YOUR HORSE BACK TO FITNESS.
HELEN

[JoeEdwards]

Farm_Girl5

Sounds like you have a real opportunity. I would recommend that you start off by getting to know the pony and the best way I know is th play games with him. If you haven't come across Pat Parelli's book Natural Horsemanship, get a copy and start to play the seven games.

When you have spent two or three sessions doing this, then start riding him but take it gently, walk and trot first in a school, gentle hacks and get to know how he responds.

Best of luck and keep us posted about how you get on.

Joe Edwards