Getting Those Horses Into Some Sort Of Shape

Isn't the weather fantastic the last few days?? I've been out at the barn fiddling around, just soaking up the horse smells and sights. Something about a clear day makes a stark/clear picture that sticks in my mind when it comes to horses.

So I rode my darling girl and even though, she's been out in the pasture and been moving around, she's not in very good shape for riding. There was a trace of dampness just from walking and a bit of trotting. I'm out of shape too (plus being an almost-there-geezerette too) and didn't attempt a lope. No matter, my girl didn't want to lope anyway...too much work.

Back in the day (that term again...) it didn't matter how good a shape the horse was in, if he were needed to move the moo-cows, he got hauled out of the pasture/lot, saddled and used for the day. If he were sore a bit the next day, well, that's just the way it was. He'd get over it. Not to be mean to the horse, it was only a fact of life. With using, he'd get back to shape anyway.

Nowadays, when I get sore, I know it and have applied it to my horses. I feel for them a LOT more than I did when I was younger. You know how, when you're young, you're indestructable?? Especially the older horses now that I'm getting closer, a lot faster, to my sunset years.

So, I got to thinking about legging up my horse. Even though a pasture horse is constantly moving, when you saddle, he has to use his muscles in a whole new way. Balancing by itself is using muscles that he normally wouldn't do. When you cue him to step out at even a walk, don't you ask him to step smartly and not dawdle (well, you're supposed to...)? Do you see a horse really stepping out in a pasture? I mean when he's by himself and not when he thinks he sees a treat in your hand, from the other side of the pasture.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2214108_riding-horse-back-shape.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art and http://www.myhorse.com/training/performance/get_your_horse_in_shape.aspx#top are two good reads.

Getting out and walking at a good clip is a great start. A good rule of thumb is that if you see foamy sweat, the horse isn't in good shape. When it starts to become watery-looking, then he's in better shape. Be sure you are feeding a good program to keep him at his best. He'll get tired and need nutrients to replenish himself.

Get the shoer out there and slap a good trim on him. If he needs shoes, do that. Something I've never done much of but seems to be important now is to have his teeth checked. I'll post about floating a horse in the next few posts, but it's becoming more and more important...for a reason. If he's too fat, check out some other types of feed to help him slim down but not lose his vitamins/minerals/fiber/fat/energy/etc.

The main thing though is to get out there and DO IT. Make a start for him and for yourself. Now get out there and RIDE! :-)