Fittening Regime?

[kirstie]

Just your thoughts on this, have looked on threads on here, books and websites links. Obviously i'll have to play it by ear depending on how he goes but as an overview, i'm really only concentrating on the first four weeks mainly as this is the important part.

Week 1 to 2 - Alternate between the arena and the straight hacking route, start off at 1/2 an hour, walk should be forward and not ploddy, be relaxed in the neck, no need for any outline as such.
Week 2 - 4 - Develop the walk more, asking more of him in an outline, give breaks and re-ask for an outline, by now the walk should be up to an hour.
I could also throw in the odd long-reining session so he doesn't get to overly board. Add some raised trotting poles but only whilst getting lunged and add some walk to halt transitions to get him really listening to my voice.
Week 5 - If all goes to plan still sticking to walk, add some circles in 20m the smallest, some serpintines, 5m loops, figures of eigths to add variety. At the end of week five he should be working to at least a good hour to hour and a half. Possibly add some road work in depending on how he goes.

For the first week would it be best to stay as much out of the saddle as poss, there's nothing wrong with his back but the extra weight might unbalance him slightly.

Feel free to add thoughts e.c.t, as i'd really like this to go well and being the age he is don't want him pulling himself. :)

[Cheeky]

How old is he? What has he done? Has he any medical injuries you need to worry about? And what are you hoping to achieve :)

[kirstie]

Thank you for replying :)

He's 19, TB, been out of work for two years, before the two years off he was a showjumper and did quite a bit of it, so quite fit.

No serious injuries, all i know is something popped out of place but was put back in by chiro a couple of years ago. Other than that he's ok.

I'd like to do some showjumping, a little bit of dressage, hacking and some cross-country.

[kirstie]

Bump :)

[HorseManiac]

im following this exept my lesson in the school are starting next week and ive explained to take it slow.


http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/1370/47803.html

[Cheeky]

Cool .. But I don't think I could follow something from the internet. I read it, and took in some information, but each horse is different, requires different considerations .. Play it by ear :)

I am retraining Honey at 18 after 5 years break .. I started with groundwork almost everyday - (all in the round yard) Leading, standing, getting her manners sorted. I think I did this for 2 weeks straight until I was completely happy with her manners. Then I moved onto taking her out for bush walks every 3rd day or so, as well as walking around the round yard.

I then introduced the lunge - no more than 10 mins at a time starting with a good, forward walk, and then adding 1 lap of trot each way .. until we work our way up to 20mins of lunging, with trotting and poles. Then introduced the canter, and being ridden in walk trails .. Etc.

It all depends on how the horse responds :)

[summerguest]

If no serious injury and the horse is not a youngster and has been exercising himself in a field over the two years...you wouldn't need to stay in walk for 5 weeks...you should by week six be trotting and cantering on hacks and starting schooling. If the horse has lost a lot of topline muscle and you are near his weight limit I would recommend lunging with side reins to build a bit or muscle up before you get on..but if you are light weight and you feel safe to do so..just get on and go for a walk!