how much is too much too soon?

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NotAnotherChestnut

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Due to the delightful weather we have been having, our turnout has been stopped temporarily so the fields don't turn into mud pits. Situation to be reviewed... problem is, I can't ride my youngster so she's stuck inside with not much to do.

She's very good - not boulshy and seems chilled out enough and I am trying to get her out for walks etc. Anyway, the point of this ramble is that I have started lunging her gently (walk, big circles) - but I'm very aware I don't want to be overdoing this.. so how much is too much? She's 2 1/2... opinions please?? Thanks!
 
Try long reining instead , How big is she ? what breeding ?

Personally don't think there is anything wrong with lungeing on a large circle in walk .
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Depending on where you live , short walks inhand .

I also would look for somewhere to turn her out , if shes had that little bit of handling then turn her out until shes 3 .
 
I used to do in hand work in the school a lot when my late horse was a youngster and found it really helped.
She learnt through in hand work to follow me at my shoulder without a head coller or lead rope, to turn when I did and stop when I did. I also taught her to back up by voice command, to move her quarters over with a word and little things like that! I used to back her up through poles and do little games with her.

It used to keep her mind busy and would keep her in her place.

Other days I would loose school her properly to get her excercising or I would just turn her out in the school for half an hr while I mucked out to let her stretch her legs and have a gallop and a roll.
 
Theres no way I would stay at a yard that limited turnout, more so with a youngster, if there really is no turnout option can you turn her out in the school or if that isn't an options take her out for walks and to graze on verges a few times a day?
 
Thanks for your replies... I already take her for walks (and she is now completely unfazed by marching through big puddles and the like.. excellent eventing prep
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Re long reining, she's been bitted - so definitely going to start this as well.. it was on the agenda, but will definitely bring this forward.

To be clear, I'm lunging her for short periods in walk - I personally don't think at 2 1/2 it is too soon for that.. what are other people's opinions on this? Seems to be contentious...
 
Turnout has also only been postponed because of the terrible weather this week... we are promised it will be back so this is a short term situation. Obviously, ideally, I would love to be turning her out as much as possible, but in reality I don't know of any places around us that don't limit turnout.

Firewall, thanks for those ideas - I already do lots of games with her like you did and I have to say, if that's your girl in your sig piccies, she looked like she was absolutely beautiful.
 
Personnally I think it is ok providing you don't overdo it.Big circles, small sessions, no side reins hauling their chin into their chest, You know your horse best. I lunged mine once/twice a week and did loads of long reining and let him out for a hooley once in a while in the school.I had the same problem with turn out as you last year but we got through the winter ok.
 
i wouldnt really class walking in a big circle on the lunge line as being lunged. Its surely no worse than walking them around on a circle as long as no side reins on. I think its good education for them, and i myself wouldnt be opposed to letting them have a little trot to if they are well behaved. would just make sure i kept the circles big and go up long side of the arena etc.
 
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