reconditioning program

[Suzanne Mounts <mountss@usfca.edu>]

Did any of you see the article in The Whole Horse Journal about
reconditioning after a lay off?  It was based on an interview with Mitch
Benson, DVM (head vet for Tevis).  

It described a program for "a mature horse (five years or older) in good
weight that has not had regular exercise for several months or who has not
been truly fit before."  

The article describes Phase 1 as an 8-week program consisting of short rides
(20 min at week one; 60 min by week eight) of walking and slow trotting on
relatively flat terrain.  Ideally 5 to 6 times a week, 4 acceptable, 3
absolute minimum.  It says "It is very important during this first eight
weeks not to increase the intensity (speed or complexity) of the work AT
ALL.  Stick to a walk, and a slow- to medium trot."

Phase 2 is also an 8-week program but gets somewhat more complicated during
the second half.  So I'll just summarize the first four weeks of phase 2.
It begins by adding in more trotting and some cantering in short workouts
(30 minutes at first; 45 minutes by week 4); longer walkouts (60 minutes at
first; 75 minutes by week 4 of phase 2) of walking and slow trotting.

To sum up, the article recommends twelve weeks to get to two 45-minute
workouts that have some extended trot and cantering in them and two
75-minute workouts of walk and slow to medium trotting.

The article says Phase 1 can be shortened to six weeks for "adult horses who
were fit last season and have only had two to four months vacation from
work." However, it clearly recommends a minimum of six weeks in Phase 1, and
says if in doubt, stay in Phase for the "full eight to ten weeks." It also
re-emphasizes that all Phase 1 work should be walk and slow to medium trot
only and should not exceed 45 to 60 minutes per session.

Is it necessary to proceed this slowly for the circumstances described?  It
seemed pretty conservateive to me.  Thoughts?

Suzanne Mounts
Oakland, CA