In weeks 1-2 of bringing a horse back into work, what is the recommended routine?

• A. Walk hacks 1/2 hr in week 1 and 1 hr in week 2
• B. Trotting daily
• C. Canter work in week 2
• D. Jumping in week 2

Answer: (A)

When bringing a horse back into work, you start with low-impact work to safely recondition the body. Walking builds fitness gradually, strengthens supporting tissues, and lets you check for any signs of stiffness or lameness without putting the horse under strain. In the first week you’d aim for about half an hour of walking, and in the second week you’d extend that to about an hour. This gradual increase gives the horse time to adapt to the movement and workload.

Trot work daily or canter work in week two would raise the intensity too soon for this early stage and could risk overloading the back, tendons, and joints. Jumping in week two is even more demanding and not appropriate yet. The idea is to establish a steady walking base first, then progressively introduce more activity as the horse shows it can handle it.