How often to lunge in a week?

J

JaneRelf

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Hi everyone. I can't ride at the moment after having a nasty fall. Whilst I'm off, someone is exercising my horses for me - mainly by lunging, occasionally riding. My instructor also rides them once a week. I've been told that I shouldn't lunge my horses more than 3 times a week. I want to keep them fit though and normally (when I'm not broken) I ride/lunge alternatively 6 or 7 days a week.
What's the general view??? Is it ok to lunge your horse more than 3 times a week?
Thanks
 
I should think every other day for 20 mins would be OK - But it depends on how fit the horse is. It is said that lunging is more demanding than similar ridden flatwork. I would not be doing it every day - For a start it can be very boring for the horse if done all the time.
 
agree with mickey ... it can be strenuous on the tendons , if done too long . Depending on the number of days would also depend on how long you would lunge, personally I wouldnt lunge any longer than 20 mins , doing it on both reins for the same length of time .
 
Another thought - could your helpers maybe introduce some free-schooling/jumping and groundwork exercises to add variety/interest.....
I had 6 months off when I broke my back and I lunged, long-reined, free-jumped and did parelli groundowrk with my horse. Tried to vary it to keep him sane.
 
I strongly disagree with free schooling. Have seen many bad accidents
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I know of one horse being free schooled, a young horse, it was scared of being chased with the whip galloped round and broke its leg.

And only the other day the same happened and a the horse jumped out the school on2 concrete then galloped round to the yard slipped and fell over.

I would never do it personally
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I've been taught that it's what you do when lunging that is the key....if you work your horse on big circles, using the whole school, then it's similar to schooling in terms of wear and tear on legs.
If they are doing fast work (mostly trot and canter) on a small (10m) circle, then it can cause joint and soft tissue problems.
Long reining (driven in straight lines) might be interesting for your horse (but can be a bit dodgy with kickers!)
Oh, and the general rule is that you lunge for half the time that you would ride...according to BHS bods.
Hope this helps
S
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I free school regularly (save the 17hh eventer who jumped out...).
As I'm schooling 12hh-14.2s I'm not worried about jumping out! Plus they're all sensible beasts. Well, I have done both the 16hhs no problems, both now jump happily loose when previously they didn't...one wouldn't even contemplate 65cm until shown what to do!
I think free schooling is brilliant for letting them develop jumping technique, although I lunge th big lad over jumps as previously mentioned, he jumps out!
I lunge 1/2 a week, never more as I get bored!
 
my mare used to be lunged up to 3 times in 10 days, as long as its done carefully i think up to every other day would be ok - depending on the horse etc.

we also free school, i find it a very useful way of seeing the horse move jump etc and we use it to help youngsters 'find their feet' over pole and jumps.
 
Presumably you won't be able to jump straignt back on and compete when your injury is recovered? is that the aim??!

they probably won't lose their fitness as much as you think by reducing work until you can ride again. I personally wouldn't lunge more than twice per week as I worry about the strain on the legs etc (not to mention the boredom factor)
 
Thanks for your advice everyone, I'm new to this so just getting to grips with it! Will look at all the options, jumping on the lunge is an idea. Free schooling not allowed at our yard plus the fence is a bit dodgy in places.

Been to consultant this morning and he said I have a prolapsed disc so I need to be really careful... And I want to jump straight back on in a few weeks - I've got a XC all lined up for end of May. Plus I want to qualify for BHS NW dressage. And as for drag hunting again come the autumn... Ho hum.
 
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