How long do you lunge for?

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Kelly1982

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Just out of curiosity really.

I lunge for about 20mins, doing lots of transitions in walk, trot and canter. Also vary lunging equipment so sometimes I will lunge in just a head collar, sometimes side reins and sometimes a Pessoa (will only walk and trot in Pessoa though).

Im always wary bout lunging for longer because of the strain on their joints.

So wot are your thoughts??
 
Probably about the same as you and we mix it up a bit with vienna reins or a kavalcade or just a head collar too. Also lunge in straight lines too although we get as much exercise as the horse then!
 
I find lunging so boring hence not lunging for more thn five minutes on each rein. I just use a head collar.
 
For no more than half an hour and not more than once a week.

I like lungeing and it is useful to spot problems that I can't necessarily see/feel onboard but equally I cannot see how it is doing my horse's legs/back any good going in endless circles (especially at the speed she can hurl herself round at!).
 
Depends why I'm lunging really as I get bored to quickly to lunge that often and by the time I have tacked up for lunging I might as well put a saddle on and ride. The only exception being when pony is being a knobber to catch so is ridden in the evening and lunged each morning then I tend to lunge for about 40 mins, big circles with straight lines as well.
 
10-20 mins, just a headcollar but going to add roller/side reins soon. Generally just walk/trot at the mo as we don't have a school and it's slippery
 
Generally 20 mins tops as I work them on the lunge rather than exercise. Either cavesson only, or side reins. Or small child with reins.
Lunge daughters in either headcollar (tiny head), side reins or again, small child with reins.
 
20 mins max, lots of transitions and changes of rein.

I know someone who has theirs lunged for 40 mins plus, round and round at trot or canter, once or twice a week. Pretty silly, if you ask me - that's just asking for trouble!
 
I usually do about 20 minutes a couple of times a week with my boy, he absolutely loves being lunged but I can't stand it! I mainly do walk/trot with him, tiny bit of canter on a huge circle but don't overdo it - do lots of transitions to keep him thinking.
 
I tend to lunge for 20-40 mins depending if i plan to ride after.

I dont tend to do many small circles I vary the sizes including straight lines and use different lunging gear. I do it to get his fitness up ( for 32km endurance which is approx 2 and a half hours of trotting speed) as most hacks around me are on roads so not feasible to trot everywhere!
Also improve his DR as i can encourage him to go low and stretch which I find hard to ask riding with his spooky ways and improves his balance on a circle.
I only do it once or twice a week depending on how fit he is and how much schooling I have done.
 
20 mins is max, I do lunge most of mine at least once a week, usually before riding for another 30 mins +. Very useful for settling, warm up, work on specifics, taking a good look at your horse's rythmn and balance.
 
About half an hour - 10 mins warm up with no gadgets then about 15 minutes 'working' in sidereins and or over poles then 5 minutes stretch and cool down.

Usually try and break circles up with some 'going large' to keep things interesting :)
 
I lunge for around 30 mins max.
I spend a good 10 mins of that warming up on both reins.

She does a lot of 20m circles but I also go large and over poles/change things about. We don't do a lot of canter, I find lungeing is important as she can work on balance without the rider so I will do it once maybe twice a week. Sometimes I even lunge before riding to warm her up.
 
Rose Folly said:
But seriously, why don't you get on and go for a ride?
Click to expand...

Because sometimes it is necessary to get their beans out before getting on due to overzealous gymnastic tendancies :), plus it is good for them to exercise without the weight of a rider on their backs, plus it is good discipline, plus it is good to see your horse moving from the ground from time to time (other than lolloping about the field) so that you can pick up on any issues, plus it is good for fitness, plus it is a good way of exercising them without getting sweaty and smelly before work ;) ...
 
If the horse is fit, then I lunge for 35 mins. Five mins on each rein warm up in walk and trot without attachments, then four, five minute sets (two on each rein) with either the pessoa, de gouge or side reins, followed by five minute cool down in walk without attachments. So even though I lunge in total for 35 minutes, only 20 minutes is proper work. If the horse is unfit, then I slowly build it up until it is fit enough for this.
 
20 mins tops for my horse too! No more than twice a week. I work my horse on the lunge in walk, trot and canter and use a pessoa most times.
 
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