Reconditioning/Riding in HOT weather
I lease a 10 year old TB gelding, who until about 3 months ago I rode about 4-5 days a week. The he had some inuries, I had some injuries and I didn't ride much. When he was sound again but I still wasn't, some of the girls in the barn rode him a few times here and there but nothing consistently. I live in southwest Oklahoma, we're in the middle of a nasty heat wave. It's been over 100 degrees-- most of the time over 106--every day for more than a month.
Anyway, we both want to get back to riding! I can tell he's lost muscle in his time off, and I don't want to work him too hard at first. How slow should I take it? I've heard lots of trotting, preferably up hills, but there aren't any hills on the property. (or within riding distance) Sometimes I'm able to take him elsewhere for trails that do have some hills but I do not have a trailer, so I can't rely on that.
I did make sure my saddle still fits him. I posted before about my problems fitting his high withers and not having any saddle fitters in the area; I ended up buying a Wintec close contact saddle with the easy change gullet system and say what you want about Wintecs, but I love it! It fits him the best of all the other saddles I've tried, it's comfortable and he moves much better now :)
Another question: How hot is too hot? It's still usually over 100 even into the evening (7-8pm). I can't ride before work during the week. As long as I can handle the heat myself, should I try to just work him lightly? Or should I lunge him lightly? OR just wait for a break in the heat to begin really conditioning him and just have low-key fun on weekend mornings?
Anyway, we both want to get back to riding! I can tell he's lost muscle in his time off, and I don't want to work him too hard at first. How slow should I take it? I've heard lots of trotting, preferably up hills, but there aren't any hills on the property. (or within riding distance) Sometimes I'm able to take him elsewhere for trails that do have some hills but I do not have a trailer, so I can't rely on that.
I did make sure my saddle still fits him. I posted before about my problems fitting his high withers and not having any saddle fitters in the area; I ended up buying a Wintec close contact saddle with the easy change gullet system and say what you want about Wintecs, but I love it! It fits him the best of all the other saddles I've tried, it's comfortable and he moves much better now :)
Another question: How hot is too hot? It's still usually over 100 even into the evening (7-8pm). I can't ride before work during the week. As long as I can handle the heat myself, should I try to just work him lightly? Or should I lunge him lightly? OR just wait for a break in the heat to begin really conditioning him and just have low-key fun on weekend mornings?