Getting back into competition shape

[Maya]

Hi! My horse is pretty much out of shape for competing. I used to do a few horse trials a year and numerous local shows, but right now I can only ride about 2 days a week and all I am doing is w/t/c and a I'm trying to get her back into jumping shape. Is there a way I can do this on a limited riding schedule? Are there things I can do that will not stress her legs out (she also has slight arthritis) but will prepare her for when school lets out and I can ride her more? And finally, once I have more time to ride in the summer, what is a good schedule to follow while building her wind and muscle up? Thanks!

[galadriel]

Can you only get to her twice a week (weekends?), or do you just not have quite enough time to ride on other days?

A 20-min lunge session on a day when you can't ride would probably help her get back in shape.

If she's used to being ridden but just out of shape, then I would follow a schedule sort of like so:
(successive days)
* Light work session (long warm up, 15-20 mins intensive work, long cool down)
* Light lunge session (20 mins-ish of w/t/c)
* Medium work session (long warm up, ~30-40 mins intensive work, long cool down)
* Rest
--you might want to repeat the above a couple of times, until she can handle a medium work session without getting too winded--
* Light lunge session
* Medium work session
* Light work session
* Medium work session
--I'd do this most of the time, and perhaps once every week or two substitute a "heavy work" session for the medium. "Heavy work" would be perhaps a 5-10 mile trail ride taken mostly at trot, a fair bit of canter, some gallop; or a small schooling show where you've entered ~4 or 5 jumping classes, or just simulating either at home.--

It's important to make sure that once she's ready to work every day, you do work her even the day after she's worked hard in order to stretch the muscles that were worked the day before; that will help her to not get stiff.

[western]

I also want to ask that question to shapen the horse up. Maybe what i was already told to do long warmups and lots of trotting. I am the same way as you I can only get out to ride and excercise only two days becase of school and homework.

[Cochise]

Believe it or not but walking is the best way to get a horse fit. Hills if you can, not slouching along, but a good forward walk. Is there someone you know who can hack your horse even if it is just walking and a little trotting on the days that you can't get there? and on the days that you cant ride her, maybe you could do the schooling.
Walking will also help her arthritic limbs stay moving and supple

[Maya]

I can only get to the barn 3 times a week...weekends and one during the weekdays...my friend rides her once a week too, usually, so now shes ridden about 4 days a week. Shes in pretty good shape its just that im not taking lessons and im not jumping, so she wont collect or bend or anything. Also..how can i begin to get her back into jumping? Once summer starts for me, which is mid june, i can ride as often as id like and I'd like to be competing in pre-novice by this fall. any suggestions?