Think Spring Folks!!!Hubby had some ice cycles hanging in places when he came in from cleaning the outside lean-to's this morning. The horse's are covered with frost - they look "old and gray". Won't be long now tho and it'll be time to start getting them ready to work again. We're all a bit out of shape after the long, cold winter. As we get back to a daily workout, you feel tired even after a small amount of work. Same goes with our stable mates after standing in the pasture. The more religious you are about putting together a daily work program, the faster you will both be able to return to last falls condition.
If your horse has had access to a big pasture, chances are he has kept some muscle tone & strength. If he has been stalled or in a paddock you need to start with controlled exercise for short periods of 15-20 minutes each day. Make sure the ground is level & has good footing. Eventually you can pony from another horse at a walk for a short distance. Begin the slow trot after 2-4 weeks of extended walking. Be sure you are really moving out in the peak of the workout & add 5-10 minutes to the length of the workout. Walk for 20 minutes, trot for 5 minutes & work him for longer periods of time. Do not increase speed & duration at the same time. To protect his ligaments, tendons, muscles & joints, it's important to go slow in teaching after a winter off.
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