Pony out of work for a year - starting off

[Purplehonesty2]

I have been given the chance to loan / own a 14.2 Irish leisure x but she has been out of work for nearly a year. She's in pretty good condition just needs building up.

I have been visiting her every couple of days for 3 weeks to bond, she's very sweet but can be a bit nervous. She has excellent ground manners but tends to plant her feet when she is unsure. Yesterday she fell asleep with her head on my shoulder as I was giving her a massage. 🥰

All the other horses I have had in the past have been happy hacker types, and I've never had to start them again.

Any advice as to what to do? I'm thinking lots of ground work, and then try lunge her and ease back into riding by pottering around the fields first and letting her have a good look at things.

Is this the right thing to do?

Tia

Without wishing to be brutal, do you have the experience to bring a potentially nervous and therefore spooky horse back into work?

How much of her history do you have? Is it reliable and honest.

Why have they had a year off? If it was for anything rehab related I’d be getting a full MOT from a vet.

Yes to groundwork, unless you know what you’re doing and do it properly no to lunging, yes to long lining.

What will you do about tack? A saddle that fits her now is not going to fit her when she’s fit.

When somethings had a lot of time off I do walk work for x weeks then introduce trot in the school and walk on the roads, then canter, however if she’s not been injured she might be fitter than you think.

If you say she’s nervous I’d be slightly concerned that someone’s given up because they can’t be arsed with spooking/napping out hacking and have just chucked her out…

I should add my mare is the quietest thing on the ground, my horse-phobic DP is happy to bring her in/turn her out/groom her etc etc. She’s a spicy fucker to ride though, so good ground manners do not often equal good ridden manners

Asking for advice here usually leads to being told you're not the right person to do it. Horsey people on MN seem to forget they once did something for the first time too. Keep asking for advice and take things very slowly, get the vet to check, get a very experienced friend to ride first and have lessons

I did something for the first time several times… under the leadership of experienced friends/instructors, which the OP has made no reference to.

Ah ok. I maybe didn't give enough info.

She's been out of work because her owner was pregnant and then had a baby.

She was hacked before then and is apparently quiet. She will have a look at things but isn't spooky.

I don't think there is anything more sinister to it than that.

I haven't got experience of bringing a horse back into work, that's why I asked. But I appreciate that everyone has to start somewhere.

She's the sweetest mare I think I've ever met which is why I hope, with help, I'll be able to work with her.

I've got two experienced friends within a mile and happy to bring in a trainer/ expert help
if there are any concerns.

No injury. I can borrow her saddle for a while though and it's adjustable. I guess I'll get it checked regularly and get a new one once she's fit.

She comes with bridle and rugs.

I’d be very wary of putting in lots of work if you are only loaning her and then the owner selling her for 4x what they could get now after you’ve put in all the work .

Did you know the horse before? A lot of people “sell from the field” and swear blind the horse was sound as a pound and a safe ride when that’s not quite the case.
Do you know anyone impartial who knows the horse you can ask about?

So I have first refusal to buy her, for a discounted price.

And that's what I would like to do if we get on well.

No I've only been visiting her for a few weeks. I've seen videos of her riding and schooling before the owner got pregnant.

My other neighbour has horses so she is going to come and see her this week and see what she thinks. She isn't very well though so I can't ask her to help me other than an opinion really. She's good for advice.

Her owner is in touch with previous owners so I guess I could always ask to speak to them. I've seen her passport etc.

I don't know if I'm in over my head but I just love her to bits and really hope we can work it out. Went down to see on Sunday and she nearly fell asleep on me as I was giving her a massage. I've never had a horse like that!

Thank you. I have owned horses before and learned it all myself - just figured it out as I went along.

As it's only been a year off and no injury, I don't think you need to treat this as a full restarting project needing weeks of preliminary groundwork etc, but do get the saddler out to check fit before you put it on her, dentist and farrier check also, and get your experienced friends or instructor out before you ride. You need to plan to build things up gradually (and be prepared to go back a step if things aren't going well). If it was me and given she is a quiet hack, I'd avoid the school and small circles as much as possible so no lunging unless absolutely necessary. I'd do a week or so of prep work, so getting her used to being tacked up again, walk work around the yard (ideally on long lines but if you don't know how then led in hand with a lunge line or long lead rope attached to the bit) and maybe up and down some quiet local lanes if you have access. Do some leaning over her from a mounting block (with assistant to hold her head at first) to check she's happy. From there, and providing she does prove to be a quiet hack I would be doing most of the fittening work on hacks, maybe the first few times you sit on do it in an arena just for security but other than that I'd avoid too many circles, hacking is easier on their joints and keeps them (and you!) motivated. Start short and sweet, sessions of no more than 15-20 mins are ideal, building up gradually over 4-6 weeks to an hour, walk only to start with, introduce short bursts of trot after a few weeks and build it up in 30 sec intervals. A steady and patient hacking companion is invaluable in those early weeks! You can always walk her out on the long lines and ride back also while you build her up.

If/when you do want to start schooling/arena work again I'd do it in short 5 min bursts at the start or end of a session initially, again avoid too many tight circles and I'd expect her to find canter work hard at least at first so short bursts of canter only. Lots of polework can help keep things varied and encourage her to work through from behind... Do seek help regularly and have patience, often with bringing horses on it feels two steps forward one back, but so long as it's going in the right direction overall!

maxelly thank you very much for all your advice. It's really useful.

I have been reading loads this week and much of it mentioned walking on hacks for the first two weeks and then building in short trots like you said. She is barefoot at the moment so I will ride her in our fields to begin with and then get the farrier out.

I did wonder about trying clicker training with her as a way of establishing a bond so I'll see what she thinks of that.

I am so excited and I don't know if I will sleep much tonight!!

I'm off work for 6 weeks from the end of June so I'll have lots of time to spend with her and her field is just outside my front door so she will have plenty of company.

Her current owner says she does better living alone but I've got a pet Shetland on standby in case she needs a friend.

I don’t know anyone that keeps horses on their own. They’re herd animals. Or do you mean she’ll be in a paddock on her own but right next to other horses?

Personally I’d be getting a vet out to give a once over. Plus have a look at teeth and physio. Then assuming all good I’d start with 20 mins walking in hand twice a day and upping by 5 mins each week for a couple of weeks. Then start back at 20 mins walk once a day ridden. Up by 10 mins then once you’re at 30 mins walk add in 5 mins of trot. Add 5 mins of trot each week till you’re at something like 30 mins walk and 20 mins trot then add in a couple mins of canter. All out hacking. She’ll be too unfit to be balanced in the school or to lunge and you’ll end up with her injured.

id be getting a saddle fitter out just before starting ridden work and then probably every 2 months until in established work.

Yes please don't keep her on her own. All horses should have some kind of companionship, even if only other horses on the other side of a fence or tape, or goats or sheep at a push. It worries me that her owner is recommending this to you/allowing you to keep her alone, some horses esp mares are a bit of a PITA to turn out with others because of dominance/aggression behaviours but any responsible owner would work to find a solution rather than keeping them alone. Hopefully you do just mean she'll be on the other side of the fence to some other horses, but the Shetland could be a good solution although I'd ask the owner the reason she doesn't usually turn her out with others as you don't want the poor shetland getting flattened if it's because she's aggressive to others and either way you'll need to manage the intros carefully.

Clicker training, well I tried it with one of mine and can only say it was a terrible failure, I have seen you tube videos of people using it effectively but either I lack the skill or have really dim horses, they never seemed to 'get' the clicker although they certainly enjoyed being fed treats, all I can say is it's much harder with a horse than a dog!

Well she arrived last night and she's settled in really well. We've been for a walk in the morning and she's really listening to me, she stopped a few times to have a look at things.

This afternoon I walked around her field with her following me, we've had so many cuddles and a nice groom.

She looks for me constantly and comes to the fence as soon as I step out of the door.

Last night she slept with a couple of pet sheep and lambs and seems happy to graze/sleep/potter around so I couldn't have wished for better.

My horsey neighbour came to see her and thinks she's really bonded to me - she is going to bring one of her horses up as a companion.

I'm definitely in love! I think no matter how long it takes to get her going, she is going to be a permanent fixture. I wish you could see how sweet she is!

I've also contacted a neighbour who is a trainer at a race stables nearby so I'm waiting to hear if she will come help me.

She sounds lovely :)

Given she's sound barefoot, have you considered keep her that way? Just need to find a barefoot trimmer and invest in some hoof boots (which you can buy second hand) and you'll be good to go :)

@Notodaynotever
spot on

Photos needed!!

Happy to oblige with photo!!

I was going to keep her barefoot but she's so foot sore on stones. I've ridden her a couple of times but she defo needs shoes. I checked with previous owners and she had shoes on when in work.

Next week we are both going to a trainer to work together to get her going. And then I can keep going with what we've learned at home. Initially 3 weeks intensive course and then see after how much longer we will stay.

Excited to get started!

Gorgeous!! I bet that snip on her nose gets lots of kisses 😍

Have you thought of trying hoof boots to help her transition to barefoot? If you know a good trimmer they will be able to measure and advise on the best brand, and on the right low sugar diet for healthy hooves.

She's very sweet but the reason she seems so bonded and is looking for you is because she's alone and lonely. Horses need company. The risk of having just one other though is leaving g the companion on its own can cause separation behaviours from one or both of them which can be potentially unsafe. I wonder if that's what previous owner meant by her doing better alone? 3 weeks intensive course at this stage seems a bit much at this stage and level of fitness? As above though only a year off isn't a huge deal and not a full re start needed, she'll just need to build up some muscle. A bit of light hacking and hill work is ideal for this plus some pole work either ridden or long reined. A friend or instructor will get you going with this and once a week would be plenty to give you time to work on what you've learned in between

Well she's at 'horse school' now and so far so good. Today we got shoes on, one of her back feet was cracked and missing a chunk so we went for all 4. Have ordered some Kevin bacon hoof dressing to keep them in good condition. £85 for full set of shoes which doesn't seem bad as 20 years ago it was £40.

She was very good with the farrier and right away trotted down the stony drive back to her field whereas before she was tiptoeing.

She's is a field with another mare who looks very like her, quick nose sniff on first meeting and then they both went back to grazing! This mare is a similar age and very calm and sensible/sweet. Wondering if yard owner would notice if I took the wrong one home 😆

Tomorrow its groundwork and then each day a short walk hack or bit of work in the school. Taking it slowly and at her pace just to see how she goes.

The owner really likes her and thinks she will do well. It's nice being around other horsey people there and she's so kind to me and doesn't make me feel like an idiot!! I'm having lessons whilst there as well.

It was so hot today so we gave her a cool bath and loaded up the fly spray. She wouldn't let me spray her before but today quite happy with sponge on face and spray on body.

Got her a fly fringe too and a very fancy leather head collar which she looks gorgeous in.

Everyone is very complimentary of her and I feel like a very proud mum! 😂

Sorry I just saw this.

We have four adjoining fields on a hill so that will be handy for muscles when she gets home. I've been down checking for rabbit holes and there is a lovely long stretch on a slight hill for a wee canter once she's fit.

Pole work in the school tomorrow and I can carry that on at home. Dh will make some and I have a large flat field ideal for that.

I have a companion arranged for when she gets home and bought a trailer at the weekend so I can take her out and about once I am confident in her (and me!)

I am loving this new life 🥰 and it brings back such happy memories of my teenage years. Dd loves her too and is getting more confident handling her. They've got a nice bond now and because she is so respectful I feel quite safe dd leading her. She is so aware of where she puts her feet. Even the farrier remarked on that today.

Stables next to build in time for winter - even tho she can live out it would be nice for them to go to bed on wild nights.

Feeling much more confident with her now that she's settling and we have help.

I wouldn’t waste your money on any hoof dressings. Spend it on a good vit and min balancer to improve hoof qualify from the inside out. Equimins advance complete is fab