I've got a 6 year old Irish sports horse who was at peak fitness before getting a nasty gash to his leg which has since seen him confined to his stable for 4 weeks. He is now back out in the field full time and getting hacked out. Im looking for ideas for an intensive fitness programme which I could follow to get him back to peak fitness ASAP but without stressing him out.
2006-08-14 10:25:51 · 9 answers · asked by Fiona M 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Work from the ground first. Walk him and trot him on the lunge, for example but don't push him too hard. Keep it steady and if you see any signs of pain, you must stop. Hills are good for gaining muscle as well as swimming. If you don't have a swimming pool near you, try a lake or river. Always take a friend if you are going to go swimming, just in case you need some help. Start riding gently at first, walk and trot until you feel he is strong enough to canter. Consult your vet or contact a horse physiotherapist (yes they do exist) as they will be more experienced and will be able to see your horse to decide what it is best to do next. Even if you just make a phonecall to them, they can help. Also, ask around, there may be someone in a similar situation near you. Experience is always the answer. If not, try writing in to a reputable magazine such as Horse&Rider or Your Horse. Hope this helps.
2006-08-17 15:04:04 · answer #1 · answered by cooljumpingmare 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If i were you i would contact your vet for a chat and see if they could give you some helpful information, or a rehabilitation centre for horses.
It may also be worth while contacting some large compitition yards to see if the riders may give you some help as they have to go through it every year because of injuries or holidays, ie. Eventing,showjumping,dressage or even better try to speak to a trainer of your closest racing yard for the fast work.
If you have had your horse for a reasonable time you should have a fair idea about the amount of work they can handle, If it was me in your situation i would bring him back at a steady pace instead of trying to rush him so i know that no more damage would happen.
I would still be careful with his leg as any hard strain or stress on the wound could reopen it, ( talking from past experience about accident prone horse )
I hope everything works out and that he manages to stay injury free. Good luck.
2006-08-18 02:30:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
HILLS!!! Uphill trotting is a GREAT program for re building muscle and stamina. So if you have any hills you can go trot on like on a trail or something that would be the best bet. Other then that lunging, daily workouts consisting of at least 20-30 minutes...mostly trotting!! Be careful to not rush it too....start out slow.
2006-08-14 11:08:46 · answer #3 · answered by luvshorses 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Glad your horse is getting better i agree that you shouldn't jump in at the deep end by working your horse really hard. I think you should seek the advise from a horse veterinary person near you .I hope your horse becomes successful.
2006-08-14 10:36:05 · answer #4 · answered by Sarah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Throw it off a container ship in the English Channel
2006-08-18 05:13:06 · answer #5 · answered by kevin d 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of those human beings are top. I even have much less experience than those human beings, yet I even have has comparable problems with my horse. My horse used to hurry to the leap and the two leave out a stride or get in the back of the bit and throw his entire physique over the leap, and that i could land unbalanced and he could greenback me off. I had to do an excellent sort of strengthening workouts to make me better--attempt wall-sits, bridges, planks, and basically spend an excellent sort of time driving in 2-element. in case you may holiday an quite-nicely experienced horse that may not do something in case you holiday without utilising the reins, leaping whilst preserving your palms out to the side and staying in 2-element earlier the leap and then training folding over the leap would artwork nicely. (It helped me sense it.) Doing gymnastic grids somewhat helps too; it helps you learn the place your horses ft are and how the horse jumps. it somewhat is going to additionally coach your horse to be greater obedient on your aids and pay attention, fairly of rushing and putting out too early. additionally, whilst going to the leap, mentally, or out loud, tell your self and your horse to "wait, wait, wait" and use your seat lots to tell him to anticipate the leap and not assume it. Then once you are the marvelous distance away, get in 2 element and supply the horse greater rein. putting a pole one canter stride (reckoning on how enormous your horse is) earlier the leap helps too. wish this helps! those are issues that somewhat helped me. unquestionably i replaced right into a sprint fearful of leaping for a whilst, because of the fact my horse replaced into an quite spectacular, experienced jumper who's additionally sort of lazy, so he replaced into lots harder to holiday. when I did an excellent sort of those issues on the flat and over circulate-rails, i began out leaping lots greater proper. solid success!
2016-09-29 06:39:40 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since he was injured I would recomend swimming him for a week or so before you start riding him hard.
2006-08-14 10:32:13 · answer #7 · answered by JoeBobBrown 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I searched on the net and came up with this lot. Don't rush it, tackle it steadily, and don't jump him too soon.
2006-08-14 11:03:43 · answer #8 · answered by pea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ride the doggone HORSE!!!!!!!!!
2006-08-14 20:17:34 · answer #9 · answered by floxy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋