Lungeing aids

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Sarah1

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Hi

Was thinking of getting a chambon to try my boy with for when I'm lungeing. He's very short coupled and on his forehand & finds stretching over his back & taking the rein down & forwards very difficult.
Currently I don't use any aids, just lunge him in a bridle & try to work on transitions both within the pace & transitions up & down paces to lighten his forehand and can get a lovely slow trot from him but I would just like to get his hocks under him more if possible.
I have a pessoa (bought on the advice of old vet) but I'm not overly keen of it to be honest and I don't like side reins so the chambon was another thought I had to help him stretch over his back.
I also wondered if lungeing with 2 lines instead of one might help (like long reining on a circle)? He hasn't been long reined for a while but had about 6 months of it when he was younger so that's also an option.
He's very active behind & really over tracks both in walk & trot but I'm not sure he's actually 'using' himself as he looks quite tense & set thro his neck & shoulders.
My niece is riding him currently as I'm 31 weeks pregnant - she has another to exercise too and works full time so I'm trying to work on this via lungeing only until I'm back on board.

Oh also, while I'm asking, any tips on getting them to bend thro their body while on the lunge?

Thanks :)
 
I have an older Broodmare - 8 that i have brought back into work - and im finding exactly the same!
I was thinking of getting a chambon too (as i think the pessoa might produce explosive results!) - and im not a gadgety person usually.

Those foals have wreaked havoc with her tummy muscles and im trying to help her get them back - If you find a good Chambon PM me as im shopping for one! :D
very interested in other opinions too!
 
I find lunging with 2 reins threaded through a roller and then the outside rein behind them really helpful but you do end up having to run about quite a bit when you change the rein etc. I had a car crash a couple of years ago and couldn't ride for quite some time so I had a few lessons from a dressage instructor who showed me how to lunge and long line more effectively. When I came to get back on my horse when I'd recovered it was amazing what a difference it had made to his way of going! I do lunge him in a pessoa once a week as well, on the 'lowest' setting, it encourages him to stretch over his back and reach down and if I fit it too loose he really seeks out the contact which is quite reassuring that its not forcing him into place. I like the pesson cos he can still turn his head to the side in it and therefore stretch through his ribcage, he panicked once and fell over in sidereins as a youngster because he realised he couldnt turn and look behind him.
Good luck with it.
 
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