breaking in a youngster

[pegasus1986]

im about to start lunging my 3 year old do any of you use side reins or anything else on them??

 

[diggerbez]

i would get him lungeing happily first and then introduce loose side reins

 

[Smile_and_Wave]

start off without just get him very forward and confident on the lunge we then add side reins very loosly or a side rein and an inside slip rein, we also use hundreds of different things not regualraly but just to get them used to being asked to carry themselves in different ways, we will use side reins running reins degouge, a bungee and chambon

 

[bj_cardiff]

It depends on the temprament of the youngster, I'd start off lunging them in just a headcollar, then after they'be got the hang of it introduce a roller or saddle and a bridle, once their comfortable with that I'd try them with loose side reins.

Once their happy with the feel of a contact I'd stop lunging and start long reining them instead, then you can start work on the steering and breaks! In terms of timescale I'd try and get to long reining within about 2 weeks, depending on how quickly the horse picks it up of course

 

[rowy]

i personally dont like side reins as i feel if you get them wrong, they can do realy damage to a youngster. instead i stuck to lunge with them and then doing long reining where i could control how much/ little pressure is applied to the mouth and horse can still be worked in an outline.