Constructive lunging!

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nedzy

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Hi,

As you may know by now, my new horse despite being 8 years has had little work for the last 6 months. He is not silly in any way, so I'm not lunging him to let off steam. I want to work his top line, and wanted to do this in a way other than riding, to break up the monotony and let him use himself. Is lunging with side reins beneficial if done properly or is there something better I could do/use? Pessoas don't seem to get a good press. Bungees?
 
i use side reins easy to use and if they want to lean they lean on themselves keeps them straight aswell my boy is bad for that helps him balance
 
poles work, raised poles, alternate poles, one pole, multiple poles - it gets them to look at where they're going (ie. downwards) and come up through the hindquarters more,
if you're putting side reins on don't just put them as tight as possible, but get him to move into the rein by getting him to step more actively - i find using a really "active" voice helps get horses a little more "bounce" without zooming off, weirdly as well (i don't know if anyone else finds this) but if I count out loud a rhythm, I can change the pace of the horse by changing the rhythm, so 1,2,3,4 to 1 2 3 4 will make the horse lengthen the stride out and step under, tone helps too....
but vary the length of the side reins and give freedom to move & stretch in the length you decide, or change the length throughout one lunging session....

good luck
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I swear by my pessoa. As with any training aid,startoff gently and gradually build up. I warm her up before I connect all the clips to roller/ bit rings. Then slowly tighten up the pully's by that I mean literally a couple of inches a day. If I dont lunge for a while I loosen it and start again. Both my instructors have commented on top line improvement without knowing I've used it. As with any gadget you only get bad reports if it's been used badly or incorrectly. Dont think it of a quick fix but a continual schooling aid.
 
Nedzy, I think that web site has hit the nail on the head. )I've only read half the chapter but cannot agree more!
I terms on Lunging I think the way to make it more interesting is to introduce poles and small jumps, making the horse think for itself. I find my horse has come on so much since being ridden rather then continually being lunged
 
Pessoas do work - people just either aren't using them correctly or are giving up too soon. My weak 4 yo took months to work out how to work WITH the pessoa rather than against it. Some horses just take a while to work it out, and to strengthen up enough to do it. So I vote for pessoa!
 
I have used a chambon for lunging and that does seem to be pretty good for making them work long and low. You need to make sure they are pushing from behind and not just meandering around with their head low (something my horse is good at
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) but they are good.

Ditto the other with pole work too
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iv built up a fantastic topline on my mare using nothing but a halter! much more effective than when i was using the pessoa....once they build up they begin to carry themselves naturally!
 
But i guess it's like everything... always use in moderation. For Jess she is lunged two- three times a week at the mo. And it will be varied so one day we will use the pessoa for 10-15 mins, another day i will stick the side reins on. And then another day she will work with nothing. We keep it varied with poles as well (without the gadgets). It's really helped her balance and getting the idea of working in an outline. She always gets worked without gadgets for the begining and end of the session.
 
Slightly hijacking, sorry, but do you think it's worth using something like the pessoa for a very unschooled oldie? Just wondered if I would be fighting a losing battle trying top get some topline on her, or would she still benefit from it at her age?
 
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