How can I get my pony fit?

Question

I have an 11.2HH Shetland x Welsh A and he's very unfit. Had the vet down for his injections today and he said his neck was really chunky and he needed to get fit. Problem is I'm too big to ride him and there's no one else that can ride him! He also will NOT lunge and we've had a few arguements over it hehe! Any suggestions? I can take him for short walks but I have a knee problem which limits distance and length. Im also training him to drive but it's taking time.

Answer 1

I would go with the loose schooling idea, Ive always done it with my horses its far better than just lunging in circles, more fun and helps with bonding between you both. Just remember to gradually build it up, as if you were riding, with plenty of walking.

But keep going with the driving so you can continue to do something with him now that you're not riding him anymore.

Have fun!

Answer 2

You need to restrict his grazing - a crested neck is a sign of obesity and he is at risk of laminitis. Prehaps buy a grazing muzzle so that he can still go out in the field, but whilst he's there he can't eat as much.

Start off with walks in hand. 10 minutes a day for a week will be good, then 15 minutes a day for a week. Because he doesn't lunge, and due to your injury you won't be able to long rein for long (I'm guessing?) then I think the only option for now is to loose school him. Turn him loose in your arena/round pen etc.You can set up obstacles such as cones to go through if he's responsive. If not, just use your lunge whip  to encourage him to trot around the perimeter of the school, then use your body to teach him figures of eights and circles (stand in his way and guide him across the diagonals). Do this for 10 minutes a day as well as his walking, gradually building it up over a period of weeks until he is walking in hand, and trotting and cantering loose. Work him 5 or 6 days a week but remember to do it gradually as he is so unfit. The times I have given are approximate, for example if when you start loose schooling he is exhausted after 5 minutes, then let him cool off and take him in. At first, as he is very unfit, it might be better to say: walk in hand for 10 minutes, loose school for 5 minutes (Morning) and then do the same again on the night.

You could also put an advert in the local tack stores etc. advertising for a rider.

Feel free to email me if you want any more help :-)

Jen

ADD: He doesn't have to go out on loan. You could look after him and just have someone come to your place to ride him for you. This is what I do with my TB because I'm too tall for him now but refuse to let him leave the yard.

Answer 3

go with diva  the driving sounds like a good idea all round

Answer 4

If you could spare the money, you could hire a horse trainer.

Answer 5

do an on property lease

Answer 6

Tbh, i would advertise in local shops that you have a small pony, and he needs to be ridden, im sure there would be loads of little girls out there that would like a go!

He could also just be a short ride for complete novices, so it could just be for fun for the rider!

There are loads of kids out there that would love to ride your pony!

hope this helps =S

Answer 7

free lunging, do u have a field you can fence of a part into a circle and get him moving around it like as if he was on a lunge, if you can eventually you can make the circle bigger and add poles and a few x poles and things once he ets fitter.

Answer 8

well if you can't do any of these there basically isn't anything else you could do.

the only other option is to get a horse walker but they're really expensive so maybe not. or chase him around his field hahaa!! joke.

Answer 9

A few options spring to mind.

Advertise for a rider?  Drive him?  Loose school him if he wont lunge?  Long rein him?

Re breaking to drive, i know you have already started it, i would say really pursue this avenue. that way you will also get pleasure out of him.  

It really can be tough with these little ponies cant it!  What is his turnout arrangements?  I have found in the past that it can be more beneficial to turn out in a larger field with lots of company, hence the pony tends to move around more to graze therefore getting more exercise plus more compant = more play = less time eating.  

Answer 10

you know that you said no one will ride him maybe you could try getting someone and walking beside him and getting him to know the demands like jump and trot that will help him get fit and you don't need to do anything.

.p.s.

charis am i on your contact list?