[horseluver2435]

I'm leaving for Florida Saturday, and (obviously) Rainy will be left up here. Well, I mentioned it to my friend who actually enjoys (or rather, isn't bothered by) riding Rainy, and she was apologetic, but knew she wouldn't be able to come out very often during the next week. The other girls who might be able to ride her more often have informed me that they are less than enthusiastic about riding her, and so, she'll have to be without work for a week. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to do when I come back? Getting on right away sounds like a terrible idea to me, so I was thinking lunging (w/t to start off, then adding in some ground poles and a 6 in cavaletti) to get out some of her energy, and then doing lots of circle work, serpentines, and such, bending and flexing, and then a trail ride to cool down if the weather's nice. Does that sound like a good plan, or is there something else I should do?

 

[eventerdrew]

Sounds like a good plan to me! Have you asked if maybe the girls can just lunge her? Then she would get at least some exercise without them having to ride her.

 

[Fellen]

I usually go to america in the summer and leave my horse alone for 4 weeks. She's albe to have vacation too! :lol: Anyway she's outside most of the day, but that's it.
When I get back I jump right on her. I've always done that. Even the first year I started her, and she is very very hot. But I think it hardly makes a diffrence...
But if you feel more confortable, then do what you planed. It won't hurt, but I don't belive it's necesary.

 

[IslandWave]

Depends on how your horse is after having a "vacation." My horse tends to be even better than she was before I left, so I just hop on and ride. Then again, she's a QH and isn't very hot.
If you're worried that she'll get overly enthusiastic about being in work again, I'd lightly lunge her to get her listening to you and focused on working and then choose to ride based on how she goes.

 

[Kayty]

A week is nothing!!! I'd just chuck her on the lunge for the first day you get back, walk trot and canter lightly both reins and see how she is. Then get stuck back into riding her. Just give it a couple of days of lighter work to get her back reminded about how to carry weight to avoid strains.

But hounestly, a week isn't much time to have off. My new tb has been off since his last race in Oct 09 and I spend a few days lunging him, then got into riding him. Most of my rides have been spent walking, with short bursts and trot and lately canter mixed in. As long as he's not pulling up sore the next day or getting exhausted from the rides, it's no problem.

 

[horseluver2435]

Thanks for all the input! I mentioned lunging to the girls, but I don't want to force anyone into doing anything they aren't comfy with. I'm glad I at least have a decent plan, and that the work off won't kill her. I know it's not too long, but she's awful when she goes more than a few days without being riden/lunged.

 

[xLaurenOscarx]

A week? Well once she wasnt hurt or anything like that id hop back on and get straight back to were we were. Guess it depends on how fit your horse is befiore you go.
Have fun!

 

[Appyt]

Is your horse stalled for most of the day? Fed grain etc? If so I would try to arrange lots of extra turnout during your absence and cut back on the grain.

I can and do let my horses set for weeks, sometimes months and they never need lunging etc. They are out 24/7 tho.. And QH/Stockhorse types. I have a still green in many ways horse who hurt her leg/hoof badly last fall. She hadn't been ridden or worked since September. I saddled her, led her up the drive to my friends trailer where she was getting her horse ready and we just rode off. Was she perfect? No, but she was very good considering she is not dead broke.

 

[horseluver2435]

She's out all day when the weather's nice, but she doesn't really...play. She just sorta stands, as she's boss mare and doesn't *have* to play fight. She's only on 1/2 scoop of grain, once a day, so I might ask the owners to knock it down to like once every two days.

 

[Appyt]

IC, well it's good she has lots of out time. Most are too lazy to do much on their own initiative. half a scoop? maybe cut it to 1/4 then when you are gone. I am assuming this would be about a cupful. I hope she does well with her vacation time.

 

[SorrelHorse]

A week isn't bad! I mean, if your hors eis one of those horses that hates to be left alone for any amount of time then sure, go with your plan. But I wouldn't hesitate to hop right back on.....If you were going away for like a month or two I would be worried, but a week should be fine

 

[horseluver2435]

Thanks Sorrelhorse! If it were any other horse, I probably wouldn't be worried, but again, after two days of no exersize, she gets hyper and crabby and is no fun to deal with.