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[2gaits]

Really fat out of shape mare that has ringbone. She walks off sound on previcox. I would like to try to get her in better shape for light trail riding - 1 to 2 hour rides mostly flat terrain.
Where would you start? Has anyone started reworking one before that could share their routine? Obviously with the osteo arthritis she has I can't start just running it off in the round pen. I'm just not sure how long per session and how many days a week.

[slamduncan]

I would saddle her and put her on a lunge and WALK her for about 10 minutes, pick up gait for 5 minutes and walk for 5 more.  I would start off doing this every other day for a week or so then pick up the tiimes by about 5 minutes for each part of the above.  After maybe 3 weeks get on her and start at the beginning and build her up.  I have done this, yes it's time consuming but will give you a good idea how she is doing.

Good luck

[kckc]

small increments … do you have a place she can self-exercise too?   if she has a pasture put in an easy track system (so easy with step in posts and electric tape).   Put her hay at the far end so she has to walk for it.   look at what you're feeding to make sure you aren't contributing to the issue (no molasses in feed etc).   good luck !

[Walkin45]

I started on my treadmill and am
Up to amkost 3 miles per day. 

[2gaits]

That's awesome walk walkin 45!
My mare is boarded so her pen is what it is. The horses do stand a lot. I have been riding her a bit every weekend. I think I will take advice her and slowly increase the time. We walk and do a tiny bit of gaiting. I really need to get her out more times per week I think to see a difference.
Not sure how well she will hold up. I quit riding her out for longer rides because the last time I did it she came home really lame. Yesterday she was a bit off. Took both horses off of an expensive joint supplement because of the cost. Now I'm thinking that supplement was helping her. I did order something else to try.

Really I need to put done two lame horses and find a new one to ride. So tough though as both horses still are healthy and love life.

[fargos handmaiden]

Just a thought. If both horses.still healthy and enjoying life.maybe you could.find a situation where you could place.them as."companion animals." I see rescue groups.advertise their horses this way that for one reason or another are not rideable. Not sure how.successful they are at placing them though...just a thought.

I am a big believer in some.of the arthritis supplements. I can see a marked difference ce in my old.boy when I run out and have to wait for a replacement order.

[2gaits]

I do notice a difference when they are on a supplement. The one I was feeding tho is ridiculously expensive. Trying something else.

I won't regime them or anything else. Both horses have been fantastic riding animals and carried me through all sorts of situations and rides. I won't leave them to an uncertain fate by letting them end up passed into the wrong hands. I will humanely euthanize if I feel I must. As for now I've decided to keep both indefinitely. I ride with my sister and her horse is not noticeable either. Until she gets another one, we are just hanging out with the oldies.