Fitness - Lunging v. Riding?

[katiieking]

Just a quick question to find out peoples opinions on lunging?

I have three horses (too many!) so find it hard to ride all three every day after work! So I usually ride one/two and lunge what I havn't rode!

In regards to getting them fit, is there much of a difference in the two? Is one much better than the other?

My horses are all competition fit anyway, so it's just maintaining that until I get off for summer?

What do you guys think? Lunge or Ride?

 

[lamlyn2012]

I don't like to do much lunging as I think it puts too much strain on the joints.

 

[Tash88]

I think that riding will always be better for fitness, although lunging (in a pessoa/EquiAmi or similar) is good for developing and maintaining topline. Personally I wouldn't lunge any horse (fit or unfit) more than twice a week if it can also be ridden.