Getting A Horse Back In Shape, And needing a few refreshers Options

[spacytracy]

I have an 8 year old haflinger cross gelding that I have owned since he was 2. I broke him myself and he is a VERY willing pony. He tries really hard.

He was ridden quite consistently when I boarded him (nice indoor, I was single, had time)
Well, I got married, moved him home, had a baby, you know the story! So he was not ridden for about a year and a half and now I'm just starting to get him back in shape.

He is great for me but I really dont ask much of him. I took him up to my trainers so she could use him for an IHSA show, and really started to see that he needs more conditioning. He was "good" but he was lazy and they had trouble getting him to canter.

Can anyone suggest a good conditioning program?

I also need help with his canter transitions. He used to be pretty good and now he runs into the canter.

Last night I worked with him, just doing trot/canter transitions and he was getting better as the night went on, but I'd eventually like to get to the point where he is working better off of my leg in a nice steady trot.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[fieldstonefarm1]

I like to condition my guys out on the trail doing lots of hill work. If you can only ride in the ring just start slow and extend your working time a litte each day. Trot 5 min, then 8min, then 10 and you get the idea. As far as the transition goes it sounds like you just need to continue to do what your doing. You cant expect him to be prefect after so much time off. Just keep working on it. Good luck!

[spacytracy]

I have lots of trail access and thank you for reminding me of that! That's how I originally got him going well for me.
When I was boarding, the place was new, so no arena, and we just trained on the trail and fields.
My trainer commented after that how nice his trot had become and how much better he was carrying himself.

He's at my trainer's place right now, so he is being used for easy 1/2 hr lessons once or twice a day, which I think will really help him. He is currently the barn favorite because he's a cute pony!

This post has been edited by spacytracy: Nov 3 2009, 10:12 AM

[fieldstonefarm1]

pics?

[Chocomare]

Ditto the trails. Lotsa LOOOOONG walks. Walk & trot up hills as much as you can too, to get him to lift through his back and loin.

[spacytracy]

Here he is! This is awhile ago, when he was ridden consistently.