What should I do?? I have a horse coming 2morrow!!?

Question

Ok...I just moved at the beginning of June to another state. We weren't able to bring our horses here yet. Well a friend of ours is bringing the 2 we are keeping tomorrow!! They are going to be at my cousin's farm because we live in a neighborhood now. I don't know what her farm looks like but she has a few horses too. The horse I ride (one of the horses coming) has been ridden in at least 4 months and I was wondering what I could do to get him back into riding.

Serious answers only!

Thanks!

Answer 1

First let him get used to the new area and have a rest after his travel.  Let him have time to meet the other horses before you turn them out together or try riding together.  Other than that make sure the area is safe to ride in.  Check for any holes or hidden obsticals.  After that just ride as normal.  He might not be ready for long rides until you get him back in better shape, especially if he has been kept in a stall or other small area during the time you have not ridden him.  Ask your cousin where the best areas to ride are.  You might have a riding arena or some great trails to ride on!  Have fun....I bet you can't wait!

Answer 2

Don't get on him until you're sure he's calm, because he's bound to be fresh if you haven't ridden him in 4 months. Lunge him and if he bucks or bronks, then do it again, later or the next day, until you can lunge him without him going insane.

Then you can get on him and begin working him in. Start off with flat work or hacks, the jump, but if he gets tired, sweating/panting etc. stop, and then keep working him slightly longer each day until he is back to his full fitness.

Answer 3

Depending on his nature, he should be fine to ride straight away, but maybe give him a few days to settle into his new environment so that he gets used to things and is less likely to be spooky or excited.

Here in Australia it isn't uncommon for horses to be left unridden for 6mths to 2 years or more and then just pulled out of the paddock and saddled up for a ride, or taken off to pony club! As long as they had a good, sound education to begin with, there is no reason why a break from regular riding should have changed any of that.

If you are worried about him, then give him a lunge with the saddle on for 15-20mins per day for a couple of days and then get a friend to lunge you while you are on him. It will get your confidence back and then you can be off on your merry way! Just remember that if he is overweight, his fitness may have deteriorated a little bit, so take it easy on him for a little while by just going on nice relaxing trail rides at a walk with short periods of trotting and cantering until his fitness improves.

Have fun!

PK

Answer 4

Gently. Take the horse on short walks and gradually build up to it.

Answer 5

I would say to lunge him for about 20 minutes before riding him.  But it depends on your judgement with him too. Only you know how he acts when you saddle him up.  Take him for some trail rides and go up and down some hills to muscle him back up slowly. Good Luck 2 ya!!!