Max is sound yay!!

[lavenderlanebabies]

Hello

2 and a half years ago I rescued Max a 15.2hh TB as his owner was going to have him PTS due to arthiritis so she could claim loss of use etc, I was so mortified I rescued him and kept him in a massive rented field. I wasn't riding as had lost my nerve but was so happy to have a horse to groom and play with. He was diagnosed with arthiritis in his fetlocks and was def lame in trot. In winter however he seemed better so I got some 5* superflex and he had it in a feed and came sound again but not enough to ride, however now after this long on it he is now sound and I lunged him this morning! He wasn't upset and looked really happy about doing something.

Question is after a 3.5 year break from being ridden how should I bring him back into work? Would you do lunging and long reining for a while first? When would you attempt to get onboard?

I have been having lessons to get my nerve back and it would be so great if I could ride him instead.

Any opinions?

Carol

[Teeni]

Take things really slowly hun.

Maybe start by walking out in hand etc, be careful lunging to start with, but long reining would be good. I would say spend a lot of time in walk to start with slowly building up the amount of time he is being worked and gradually introduce some trot work, but only little bursts to start with. From the ridden side of things aside from him being able to carry a riders weight after that i would say it was up to you and he you feel yourself and how he will cope.

You must be thrilled to bits though. Good luck

[Lorraine L]

Hi Carol, firstly good on you for taking Max on and giving him a wonderful future. Over three years is quite a long time out of work so anything which builds him up slowly would be best. You and Max have obviously bonded but do you have any idea what / how he went before the arthritis ? I am thinking that you need to know what he is capable of before setting out on the riding - you don't want to have your confidence knocked at all and its possible that he may have some hidden ' quirks' !!!
Good luck though Carol. I really look forward to hearing the progress reports.

[lavenderlanebabies]

HI

The woman I bought him from described him as a safe hack when I took him on, plus a lightweight friend has volunteered to jump on board, we used her tack this morning to see if it fitted etc.
We do have a great bond as he is such a sweetheart.

[sara]

That is fab news, no wonder you are so chuffed.
I'd just take it really slowly, and listen to him if he is telling you it is too much