Basic Lunging Advice Please!

[tye_bo]

I want to start lunging my mare again, I've not lunged for a few years I can't remember the basics. How long on each side in walk, trot, canter etc would be a good time to start with? How before/after her breakfast do I leave her before I lunge? I do attach the side reins straight away don't I?!

 

[allijudd]

wait an amount of 5time after breakfast...just like you would do if you were riding.....

what i do, is a good 10 mins walk and trot on each rein to warm up on a large circle, then depending on the horse attache the side reins and do 10 mins trot and canter on both reins...that makes 20 mins....then i always finish without them on for a walk and slow trot..

however recenmtly have been lunging over poles which i do after taking the side reins off.....

i always try to start with walk and end with walk on a long rein

 

[YorkshireLass]

Get an instructor to give you a lesson on how to lunge. There are loads of different ways which suit different horses.

Or find a friend with a horse who is lunged frequently and get them to show you how. If you have a yuong horse, or your horse has not been lunged for years then this would be wise.

Some horses have never been lunged, they are broken in on the long lines and if your horse is one of these, lunging it might be a bit of a shock to her!

 

[Damnation]

I would wait about an hour before lunging after breakfast and I do the same amout of warmup as I would do if I was riding, which is about 10-15 of just walk and trot. I however don't use side reins, I just lunge on a headcoller and do long and low. My mare just locks onto side reins and doesn't work properly. Depends what you and your horse prefer. Get someone to show you how to lunge and give you a few lessons with your mare first, especially if your mare isn't used to being lunged!
Hope this helps.

 

[tye_bo]

Thanks guys. Just to add she is used to being lunged but she's been on loan for 3 years so it's me who's a bit rusty!!