Getting a pony fit

[BackintheSaddle]

Hey all, my friend has just purchased a lovely 13hh POA pony mare for her kids (pony of the maericas - don't know if they have those across the pond). She is sweet as can be and has 30 days of professional training, but she has been out to pasture for about a year and needs some exercise to get fit again. We want to get her back in shape before we introduce her to the kids (although she has taken them both on lead rein and was super). I am the smallest of us two at 5'6 and 135 pounds. I look a bit silly on a 13hh, but she seems to carry my weight fine. What kind of exercises can we do to fitten her up? I'm schooling her once a week, working with her on the ground once a week, and taking her out on a hack once a week. I've been schooling her with just a bareback pad because I don't think it's worth trying to get her a saddle until she's muscled up.

Any tips would be welcome as we want to do right by this sweet little mare.

[lisae]

I am in the same boat with my Haflinger mare, I am bringing her back into work after foaling and being out to pasture. Her chiro (spoiled pony! but she has muscle wastage along her spine and it helped) suggested warming up with carrot stretches to loosen up her neck and belly scratches to get her to lift her back and belly and start building her muscles back. I've been riding once - twice a week and bringing her out for walk/trots with me in hand as often as possible, basically about 15 minute walks is all I'm good for and by then I am huffing and puffing.

We are both out of shape!

[Showjumper]

I've started Dolly on a Get-Fit-Routine. I'm hacking her out 3 times a week in walk with a short trot if she's feeling good. Also doing carrot stretches, riding or leading her about in the school (over poles on the ground to get her to lift and pay attention).