Whether you are a seasoned horse owner or just beginning your equestrian journey, there comes a time when a horse must be brought back into work after some time off. There are numerous reasons for this, such as a long winter break, an injury recovery period, or simply just a much-needed rest. As exciting as it may be, there are important factors to consider before jumping right back into work with your equine friend. In this guide, you'll learn the best plan for bringing a horse back into work, with helpful tips and realistic examples to make the process as smooth and successful as possible.
Best Plan For Bringing A Horse Back Into Work Table of Contents
1. Assess The Horse's Health
Before beginning any work, it's crucial to assess your horse's overall health and fitness level. Consult a veterinarian for a thorough examination to ensure your horse is in good physical condition. If the horse is recovering from an injury, be sure to follow any specific recommendations from the vet.
2. Determine the Appropriate Starting Point
Once your horse is given the green light to start working, determine the appropriate starting point based on the horse's fitness level and the amount of time off. If your horse has only had a few weeks off, light work can be reintroduced relatively quickly. However, if your horse has been off work for several months or more, they will likely need more time to acclimate.
3. Create a Gradual Training Plan
When bringing a horse back into work, it's essential to create a gradual training plan that allows the horse to slowly regain fitness. This plan should start with light work and gradually increase in intensity and duration.
A good starting point is walking sessions - begin with 20 minutes of relaxed, straight walking per day, slowly increasing the time spent walking and introducing gentle hills for added resistance. After 2 to 4-weeks, you can begin to introduce trotting into your routine.
Move on to adding in trot sets once your horse is comfortable with walking. Begin with just a few minutes of trotting and then build on this until your horse can trot for up to 20 minutes without showing any signs of discomfort or fatigue.
Finally, when you and your horse are both comfortable with trotting, you can gradually introduce cantering and more advanced work. Be sure to monitor your horse's progress, condition, and any signs of discomfort at each stage.
4. Monitor Your Horse's Well-being
Throughout the reintroduction process, it's important to continuously monitor your horse's well-being, including breathing and cardiovascular fitness, energy levels, and any signs of discomfort or injury. If any issues arise, take a step back and allow your horse to rest. Positive progress is achieved when you listen to your horse's needs and make adjustments accordingly.
Best Plan For Bringing A Horse Back Into Work Example:
Lola, a 7-year-old mare, has spent the entire winter off work given a much-needed long break. Come springtime, her owner, Emily, is keen to start riding her again. After consulting with the vet, Emily starts with 20 minutes of walking per day. She then slowly increases the intensity, adding hills and trot sets after 2 weeks. By the third month, Lola is cantering and successfully working on flatwork exercises. Emily patiently guided Lola through a gradual training plan, ensuring her safety and well-being while setting her up for success in the coming riding season.
As an equestrian, ensuring your horse's well-being is of the utmost importance - especially when bringing them back into work after an extended break. By following these steps and creating a gradual training plan, you can set both you and your horse up for success. Remember, patience and consistency are key. If you found this guide helpful, we encourage you to share it with your fellow horse enthusiasts and explore our other valuable resources on How to Own a Horse.
