riding after 2 weeks snow-box rest

[pamcho]

looking for all advice for a 9yr old going on 6 who can be naughty but is usually a very good boy.

[lindsas]

I was expecting the worst too after Legend having 9 days off due to the weather, as he can be a bit of a silly wotsit if he hasn't been worked (18 going on 3 ;D), but he was actually fine. I just stuck to the roads and only walked on the first day to keep his excitement levels at the minimum, then gradually introduced a bit of trotting the next day etc.

Don't know what your horse is like, but try to stick to somewhere safe, either roads or tracks with no ditches next to them , and just keep to walk at first. If he is calmer with a friend, get someone to go out with you. Could you ride in a school first, to be sure he is listening to you before you go out?

[pamcho]

Thought we would try the school first - but walk sounds a good idea, many thanks

[ella19]

I would lunge or loose school first with tack on, then hop on board and either school or hack out with a friend to ensure you're safe. Indie is out 24/7 and was the worse behaved of the lot but all she did was a small buck. Your horse might suprise you, mine did I thought she would turn herself inside out!

[pamcho]

Ella19 - thank you too. Thursday should be the day when we ride first, so in the school then and lunge to see how that goes then on board and walk. May just think it was a holiday!

[marianne]

I've just got back from 1½ hour walk round the roads (one ridden, one on a lead rope) and that will do nicely after a couple weeks off due to the weather!

[amberhoney]

will be long lining for a bit before i even contemplate getting on my youngster, she can be a bit of a monster when fresh.

[pamcho]

Good to know there are others out there who can give me suggestions. Thank you all. Weather controlling the situation at the moment but we may be able to try tomorrow.

[mollymoo]

I have lunged and done groundwork the last 3 days and will contunue this and aim to get on at the end of the week. Just before the snow me and the boy had a nasty accident on the roads and havent ridden alot since so im planning on taking it super easy.

[pamcho]

Mollymoo - sorry to hear about your accident, super easy is the way we are going too.

[vab]

Have not ridden mine for about 6 weeks as she had 4 weeks box rest and then the weather changed - have put her in the field for the last 2 weeks and managed to ride one day when ice went for a brief time and she was ok - walked very fast and had a few whoopies as she wanted to trot but she needs to stick to walk due to her injurie - now ice has returned and also she had a fight with her field friend and is lame again today - think i may just give up until the weather is better - going to try and put her in the field again tomorrow depending on how lame she is and put plenty of decent hay out well spread away and hope they dont have another argument

[lauranash]

I haven't ridden mine for nearly 5 weeks either. In order: lost shoe, horse got respiratory infection, I got flu, slippery ice. I've begun by long-lining (three times) and plan on riding this afternoon providing the school's suitably defrosted. Mine's a fairly sensible chap though and he did get some turnout most of the time. Had a bit of trouble the first time on the long-lines, but it was more 'I don't want to do any exercise, I thought you'd given up on this nonsense, I'd much rather eat' than freshness.

[pamcho]

Well it looks like it's going to be more than 2 weeks this time! How is everyone?

[lindsas]

Bored, bored bored!

Haven't ridden since last Sunday, and that was just a careful walk round the village to avoid the icy bits.

Poor horses have a choice of snow covered field, snow covered yard or stables - they seem to be staying in their stables mostly - sensible boys. But they look as bored as I am with it all - and they can't even build a snowman or go sledging ;D ;D!

[pamcho]

Luckily our yard is a 25 mins walk so we have been doing that 2/3 times a day. But tomorrow university and work mean things will get difficult. Yep, no riding and ours do not really have the option of anything more than the stable. Maybe we will get an unusual bank of warm air in the next few days to clear it all away - wishful thinking anyway! But nearly 4 weeks, yes bored, bored, bored.