Jumping on the lunge. Also in CR

dollymix

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Hi all - hoping for some advice for jumping my horse on the lunge.

I have just moved from a yard where we were not allowed to lunge in the main school. We did have a small lunge pen, but in reality, for my 6yr old 17hh ID, who can be unbalanced at the best of times, it was too small and certainly too small to attempt putting a fence up!

However, I've now moved onto a yard where we are allowed to lunge in the school. It is a fantastic size and they have a good selection of jumps (barrels, blocks, fillers, wings and poles). I would therefore love to attempt lunging my girl over a few fences to keep things interesting for her.

She LOVES jumping, but can be a bit green, especially with anythign unusual (we once did a fairly spectacular high-speed reverse because of a plastic water tray! ) However, I don't think she'll need much encouragement, but I was wondering whether it would be a good idea to fit loose side-reins? Would this help keep her steady (I imagine she might get a little over-excited!)

Also, I thought at first I would just put trot poles between the barrels and then prop poles up on the barrels (on the landing and take off) to 'lead her in' if that makes sense?! If she takes to this calmly, I can then put a small fence up?

Any tips/ideas would be great!
 

MissMincePie&Brandy

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water trays are my horses nemesis too!! I do all my de-spooking on the lunge, to save my own neck ;)

I would not jump my horse in side reins. They need to stretch when jumping, and not go into a fence with their heads vertical, as they wont be able to see it properly, and if you have them loose enough for the horse to jump freely there's not much point in having them on.
 

tallyho!

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Well, to jump when unbalanced seems a little like running before walking. Nothing wrong with jumping on a lunge line, I do it all the time but you need to get horse balanced and able to maintain his own rhythm, good strength in the back and shoulders. Personally, I can't see the point jumping when you haven't set the horse up properly to do it well.

I don't even want to imagine how your thought process included side reins for jumping on a lunge, tying his head to his torso will probably not have the desired effect as he goes around in a circle trying to judge a fence on his own... At this stage at least.

I still think you can help him by using poles on the ground to help him balance and develop a rhythm. Have you thought about getting lessons on lunging techniques which could include jumps? It may be the best thing you do :)
 
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dollymix

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Perhaps I an being rather harsh on her balance... My point was (although perhaps not well conveyed in original post) is that the old lunge pen was too small for a horse of her size! She has competed at dressage and is XC schooled but she is a big girl and she struggled on a small space.

Re thought pattern re side reins. I seem to remember another post a whole back where people were suggesting lunging 'aids'? Could be wrong!

I am glad someone else knows what I mean re water trays and unusual fences! Lol :) babies... Who'd have 'em?!
 

tallyho!

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Go for it, see how you go but ditch the side rein idea and start small. Good luck:)
 

planete

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Make sure that you never let her go over the jump if she is approaching it in an unbalanced manner, bring her around you in as small a circle as she can manage to make her rebalance herself with her inside hind leg coming well under her and no rushing. You want energy which is not the same as speed. Then you let her go out of the circle over the fence. Do not try and see how high you can get her to jump. She must first learn to think and look after herself. Getting her brain engaged is an important part of jumping well and safely. Well placed poles would help but badly placed ones will do more harm than good.
You will need to develop impeccable timing and be able to place yourself and the horse accurately so start slow and low until you get the hang of it. It would be best to lunge from a cavesson to avoid any possible blows to the mouth and definitely no side reins!
 
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