Back to work!
With the hay field cut, it’s now time to use the “arena” again. It was getting a bit dangerous to ride in, with the grass being chest height for the horses and easy grab and go while working. Summer and Caper both lost some top line over the winter. Summer was just getting hers back when we had to take a break until the 6 weeks of rain allowed the hay to be cut. Caper hasn’t worked nearly as much as Summer since we’ve been in Colorado and he has lost more muscle than I’d like over the 6 week break. So while Summer will get back to under saddle work faster, they will both be starting with some ground exercises to build toppling. This is especially important as they are both older and it’s extra unfair to just slap a saddle on and start riding around. Also, Caper’s saddle won’t fit until I get more muscle over the back. After their 20-30 minute hand walk with abdominal, back, and glute building exercises, they both get a snacky-snack and I sneak in a a few extra minutes of balance pad work while they’re eating.
When I ask clients to start their horse on balance pad work, I usually get a concerned look and “how do you start them on that?” Really, you just do. While they're eating or standing quietly in the cross ties, pick up the hoof like you’re going to clean it and then place the pad where you think they’ll place their foot back down. If they pick their hoof up, then do it again. Eventually they’re understand they’re supposed to stand on it. then go to the opposite side. I like to start on the hind end. Maybe because they naturally place less weight on the hind end, but whatever the reason most horses I’ve started on balance pads seem more confident starting there. Then when they have confidence with two legs on the pads (this takes time, it will not be in the same session or even in the same week), move the two pads to the front. Again, after some time and confidence with the front, you can try with all four. Or, work on some carrot stretch type exercises or rocking the haunches (or withers if the pads are in the front) while they’re on the pads; essentially increasing the difficulty level of the stretches and pads.
If you don't think that balance pads will do anything, try it yourself! When I was doing PT for my back, the hardest exercise when I first started was balancing on one leg on a balance pad.