Chambon

[Dizzle]

When lunging with a chambon, where do you attach the lunge line?

Do you have to use a lunge cavesson? Am I ok to use the lunge line though the bit and up over the top or will it intefere with the pulley on the chambon? Could I lunge using a head collar underneath?

I'm sure I've used one before but cannot for the life of me remember how!

 

[Brownmare]

I clip to the bit but not over the head just thread through the nearest bit ring and clip to the outside one. I'm sure you should use a cavesson but I personally hate them and this way works fine so long as its not a baby who would be confused by pressure in 2 directions.

 

[Dizzle]

No, I'm not a fan of lunge cavesons either (hence why I don't own one!) I find it tips their nose to the outside.

So, you do it with just the one bit ring then?

 

[Tnavas]

If you use a Chambon you MUST use a lunge cavesson. The action of the chambon is to raise the bit in the mouth and apply poll pressure, both actions encourage the horse to react by putting its head down. If you lunge off the bit then you totally screw up the action of the chambon causing serious discomfort to the horse and the risk of developing resistances.

Dizzle - if your horse is tipping it's nose to the outside then it is still developing its balance and suppleness, is going with more weight on the inside legs and dropping its shoulder inwards. You need to use your lunge line like your inside rein and encourage the bend to the inside by flexing your fingers on the rein, and by sending the horse forward with the lunge whip. Using the whip just behind the elbow will encourage the horse to bend correctly (same action as your leg when you ride)

The lunge rein should always have contact - ie no loop in the rein. Try working closer to the horse by walking a circle as well so that you can have more control.