lunged my mare with the draw rein method, and then road in a bitless, insightfull!

china

china

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 November 2008
Messages
5,193
Visit site
I just thought i would share my experience with you all.

I read on here the other day about a method of lunging using draw reins, i watched the video and was rather intrigued so i tried it that night with my mare and she went fantastic! i have tried every gadget under the sun, she has an extremely sensitive mouth and doesnt like tight contact on her mouth which most lunging aids do if she avaids slightly!

so last night (rode late at 8:30pm! was far to hot! ) i rode her in a bitless just to see what would happen... i also used a neck strap as i have been struggling with my balance on her, shes like betty spagetti! well, it was the most insightful ride i have had on her yet! it gave me a tru feeling of how she works.

The neck strap made a huge difference to our transitions as i was much more balanced. She was much more forward to warp up, normally she is very backward and trots on the spot. she really hung on the right rein also.. I feel that i have used the bit incorectly which has hindered her and i never truely felt how she works and used it as a form of balancing myself. im glad i have noticed this. Im now going to ride with a neck strap and once my trailer test is out the way (if i pass ;-)) get out and get some regular lessons.

Thanks for reading :-)
 
Whats the draw rein method? not seen that.
Sounds like you've had a break through which is great, I always ride with a neck strap too (although its a habit I picked up from riding racers) and find it a very useful tool. Well done for recognising it and acting on it, there are far too many 'perfect' people who won't admit that they do anything wrong. :-)
 
china said:
I just thought i would share my experience with you all.

I read on here the other day about a method of lunging using draw reins, i watched the video and was rather intrigued so i tried it that night with my mare and she went fantastic! i have tried every gadget under the sun, she has an extremely sensitive mouth and doesnt like tight contact on her mouth which most lunging aids do if she avaids slightly!

so last night (rode late at 8:30pm! was far to hot! ) i rode her in a bitless just to see what would happen... i also used a neck strap as i have been struggling with my balance on her, shes like betty spagetti! well, it was the most insightful ride i have had on her yet! it gave me a tru feeling of how she works.

The neck strap made a huge difference to our transitions as i was much more balanced. She was much more forward to warp up, normally she is very backward and trots on the spot. she really hung on the right rein also.. I feel that i have used the bit incorectly which has hindered her and i never truely felt how she works and used it as a form of balancing myself. im glad i have noticed this. Im now going to ride with a neck strap and once my trailer test is out the way (if i pass ;-)) get out and get some regular lessons.

Thanks for reading :-)
Click to expand...

What a lovely post! Horses have so much to tell us if only we'd pay attention.
I can recommend reading some of Philippe Karls work. I'm now starting Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage and it has totally blown me away, but he is very keen on the correct use of hands (and balance). You might find it interesting (and the photos/historical quotes alone are woth looking at)

Good luck, and keep on listening to you horse, she is your best teacher :)

Trina x
 
Could you tell us more about the draw rein lunging method? I've never used a neck strap , but I'm pretty sure I do lean on the reins , which is a terrible habit!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top