How different is a horse after 6 months to a year off work?

[ladywiththebaby]

Obviously this is one of those questions that you just can't answer becasue it entirely depends on the horse, but I just wondered what other peoples experience of this was. I have had to stop riding the horse I was exercising because I fell pregnant. Now her owner has found out that she is pregnant too! She is also just about to stop riding her, and there is noone else that rides her (she's on a private livery yard with only one other person and horse). This means that she won't be ridden for several months. I guess the earliest I'll get back on is March, so thats only 4 months but if I have another c section it could easily be 6 or 7 months, or longer.

I just wondered what she might be like when I eventually get back on? Her owner thinks she'll be fat and lazy rather than full of energy but I'm vaguely wary as I was once taken off with by a horse and I'm sure its coz he hadn't had a good blast for many months.

She's a really difficult horse to explain as when her owner first got her 6 years ago, she realised she'd been drugged when she'd tried her out as she couldn't even get a foot in the stirrups without her rearing. Its taken many years and many scary experiences, but she seems ok now, although her owner still wouldn't put anything past her or call her a novice ride. I rode her for 9 months though and she was fine. I always feel like I'm waiting for something to happen as her owner can never give me that 'oh she's bombproof / good as gold' guarantee!!

I was just looking for other people's stories really!

 

[wundahoss]

Sounds like it's a bit similar to my recent situation. I had my first baby(c-sect) and then started my young horse. He'd had only about 20 rides on him when I got pregnant again. By the time I got back to him, he'd had nearly a year off with little handling, let alone any riding. It took us a little while to get back to where we were pre-baby. I also found that I'd lost some confidence & focus(people warned me that having kids may do this & I didn't believe them!) in the meantime, which didn't help. I had to build my skills back up too.

Anyway, my belief & experience is that if a horse has a good foundation & has learned to be confident & happy in what they do with people, and you're a skilled horseperson, then you'll likely find little if any change. If a horse hasn't had a good start, has issues, dislikes being ridden, etc, then they may be a bit of a challenge after a 'spell', especially if you are lacking in skill or confidence.

Regardless of her previous experience, I would advise treating the horse as a new, unknown entity when getting back to it. Put her thru her paces on the ground & see where she's at and take riding one small step at a time, treating her as if she's never been ridden. That way, if she's fine, you'll be back in no time, but if she has issues, you can find out & work thru them gradually, without getting into too much more than either of you are ready for.

Best of luck with your pregnancies!

 

[*Sez*]

I gave my lad six months off last winter and it completely changed him.

Prior to his holiday, we had been starting to get a good handle on cantering in open spaces and his schooling was coming along, but I think we were both a bit fed up to be honest. He was prone to being silly and having a tantrum if he didn't understand. He had suffered with persistent back issues, which although resolved, were clearly still having an impact on him.

After his holiday, he was like a different horse - completely relaxed and laid back. I was expecting to have a bit of a "woohoo!" moment when I first got back on, and to spend a few months essentially re-starting him, but he was a saint and didn't really put a foot wrong. Even as he got fitter, he continued his good behaviour and a lot of people commented on his change in personality. It was like the break gave him a chance to get rid of the pain issues, and spend a bit of time maturing. He was nine years old at the time, so certainly not an age that one associates with needing to mature, but I was completely blown away by the difference in him. There have still been some challenges , but he seemed to find it much easier to get to grips with things, rather than having a tantrum when he didn't understand.

I think, as with some people, some horses need a break from time to time. I know that after a couple of months at work, no matter how much I enjoy my job, I start to feel a craving for a long weekend, or a week on leave to get back to "me" and unwind a little bit. Giving my horse a holiday is probably the best thing I have ever done for him I'm not saying that all horses will react the same, and I'm sure that there will be plenty of responses from people who have given their horse some time off for pregnancy, or injury or whatever, and have found that their horse turned into a complete nightmare, but I really do wish that I'd given him some time off much earlier in our relationship.

 

[xloopylozzax]

ditto *Sez* not really anything to add!

the majority come back better after a holiday, refreshed and looking forward to work instead of it becoming a chore.

 

[Wally]

The funny thing with the ICelandics is they are exaclty the same horse 6 months later, as they were when they were laid off....just a bit fatter.

 

[conkers]

Connie had 12 months off when I went through a bad patch. She was the exact same horse when I started riding her again. The only difference was she wasn't very fit, but that was soon sorted.
I think it did her good to have a break, but she really enjoyed it when she did start working again.

 

[flickermum]

Ground work, ground work, ground work! and then try some ground work. It all about the relationship. You can still spend plenty of time with your horse while pregnant(as long as you medically fit of course) and it gives you alot of time to be able to get fundamental relationship basics right so that when you are fit to ride, things should shape up nicely.
Sounds like this would be beneficial for all concerned anyway with this horse if you are not one hundred percent sure of him all the time anyway.
Think it very wise that you not riding while pregnant, I know some people do, but personally I don't think it worth the risk of a fall. Some would say that it not worth the fisk of being around them at all and while I would keep away from horses that have a tendency to kick out, I reckon that keeping your hand in just on a ground basis cant be anything but good for you. I was mucking out, poo picking and cleaning water troughs out two weeks before I was due! and as a result, got my figure back pretty quickly after the birth as I was still quite fit. It not for everyone, but just thought I would share my personal experience.. In the end, do what feels good to you and ya cant go far wrong.

 

[ladywiththebaby]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far. Its good to know a break doesn't always mean the horse turns into a bucking bronco when they come back to work! Although when I say work, we are mainly just happy hackers as she has a problem that only becomes apparent on a sand school and that's all we have access to unfortunately.

Unfortunately I haven't really had much to do with her for a couple of months now just due to circumstances, plus she's now started being fed again and has got a bit bargy / jealous of other horses getting attention so her owner advised me to keep my distance as she doesn't want me to end up getting hurt! I'll just have to hope she remembers me from the odd visit until next year!