Is it ok to lunge without side reins?

[Polos]

Sorry for the blond question

But is it ok to lunge without side reins? at my old yard I was always told you shouldn't but at my new yard no one really lunges with side reins. I want to lunge my horse later but I don't have any side reins-do you think it would be ok to do him without them?

thankyou

 

[flirtygerty]

I only use side reins if I'm doing schooling, if I'm just taking the edge off I don't

 

[Jools1234]

it is a matter of opinion i have and do lunge with and without, if i use them they are very very loose on a horse that i want to work long and low looking for a contact,

but yes lunging without is fine

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Erm.....I lunge with nothing on, just a bridle, bridle rollor, bridle side reins, bridle passoa......depending on what I'm feeling like......or my brother and sister are feeling like as I get badly dizzy lunging and fall over

 

[Springy]

yes that's fine

 

[Littlelegs]

I lunge without as much as with, if I'm working long & low, then they just lunge in a cavesson. I only really work in side reins if they are working at a reasonable level. And if I was just lunging for exercise, then of course no side reins etc needed. But its perfectly possible to work them without properly.

 

[Tickles]

I'd do it in just a head collar... or naked if free-schooling!

Seriously, if you don't know if it is OK to do without them you probably (like me!) aren't expert enough to get the best out of them and they can (not always, just possibly) be of detriment. So, you are probably best off without

 

[Elsiecat]

I just lunge with a normal headcollar and lungeline. May not be 'correct' (?) But we all survive

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Yes, of course it is. Some people seem to like to make a fuss about everything (not you, OP, your old yard).

 

[aintgotnohay]

i use a bearing rein with i lunge.

 

[chessy]

I used to lunge with just a cavesson and lunge line!

 

[wyrdsister]

Good grief! I never lunge *with* side reins. Not a fan of them, to be honest. My girls work in an outline without gadgets.

 

[ridefast]

I lunge in a headcollar. Don't always use a lunge whip. Don't always use a lunge line. Don't always use a headcollar

 

[Gilbey]

I'm with ridefast! Headcollar, lunge rein and whip if nec. I have got horses that lunge without a lunge rein too!! No need for gadgets!!

 

[ribbons]

Totally depends who your lungeing, and why your lungeing.
Unbroken youngster, or ridden horse for further training, or a top of his game professional just for excersise.

 

[Polos]

thanks for all the replies everyone, I don't feel so stupid now

I just lunged him in a cavesson. I don't need a whip as he is very responsive to voice aids.

 

[kerrieberry2]

I ONLY lunge with a lunge cavessan and lunge line, nothing else, not even a whip!

 

[smellsofhorse]

I'm currently lunging with just the bridle. Nothing else, over poles.
This is on the advice of chiropractor and instructor.
He needs to find his own balance not be tied down.
You don't have to lunge with anything, but don't let the horse take advantage and just run around in circles!