Posted 2016-09-19 10:59 AM Subject: TIME OFF VS "ACTIVE REST"?
boon
Posts: 1
I am 5 months pregnant and have decided not to ride during my pregnancy. I live in Arizona and between the heat and pregnancy exhaustion I really didn't feel up to doing much at all. Now that I am getting some energy back I am debating what is best for my horses. Ideally I would love to turn them out, however I have no access to pasture. They have a large pen and are kept together, so they have room to walk around and socialize some. I could probably be doing various ground work exercises with them; but I'm not sure if that is more beneficial than giving them a true long rest. (which they probably haven't had in 5 years). So my question is: should I be doing some "active rest" type exercise with them or just let them be? and does anyone have any exercises they really love or would recommend?
** A bit about my horses. I have a 14 yo Gelding that is broke as can be and on the lazy side. He has had a long performance career already so my main focus was always keeping him legged up and healthy. I also have a 9 yo mare. She has a pretty spooky/anxious personality so I do a lot of slow work with her and try to focus more on her confidence than her fitness level (which comes pretty naturally for her).
Posted 2016-09-19 12:17 PM Subject: RE: TIME OFF VS "ACTIVE REST"?
Expert
Posts: 1631 Location: Somewhere around here
I don't think either idea is bad. I'm sure your horses would love their lazy time, as mine are, (going through the exact same thing you are) but we also have a 5 acre pasture that they're about to graze and run around. You could try bringing in one of those large rubber balls that your horses could play with. I've noticed with horses that like to stay busy or on the extrovert side they really like playing with toys when they are having a break.
Posted 2016-09-19 12:19 PM Subject: RE: TIME OFF VS "ACTIVE REST"?
It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739 Location: Where the long tails flow, ND
My mare isn't the type that likes to be left home, when I was pregnant she would 'yell' at me everytime the trailer left without her. Haha! I would take her for walks down the road with me (hand walking), and occasionally lunge just to make her feel good. It goes by faster than you think. I also started lunging closer to my due date so she was in shape when I could get back on.
Posted 2016-09-19 12:26 PM Subject: RE: TIME OFF VS "ACTIVE REST"?
Tried and True
Posts: 21185 Location: Where I am happiest
I have always found a true rest to just let them be has always been very beneficial. They come back refreshed and ready to rock n roll with a whole new enthusiam about things.
Posted 2016-09-19 2:47 PM Subject: RE: TIME OFF VS "ACTIVE REST"?
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
Active rest still doesn't allow the tendons and ligaments to rest, especially if you will be round penning them. It will actually be worse then riding straight lines
Posted 2016-09-19 7:00 PM Subject: RE: TIME OFF VS "ACTIVE REST"?
Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
I personally don't ever let my horses just sit. I do a lot of longlining and lunging with neck stretcher or ground poles. Most people up here in MN give their horses winters off but I like to keep them in decent enough shape. I just feel like the extra weight can also be hard on them.
TIME OFF VS "ACTIVE REST"?
