Lungeing - Do you?

M

moneypit1

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 January 2007
Messages
2,246
Location
North Devon
Visit site
Lunged Fly today mainly because I like to be on the ground sometimes and get him to listen to me. I also like to see how he moves, how his transitions look and to re-inforce the verbal commands. How often do you lunge your horse and what are your reasons for doing it? I tend to lunge for 6 - 7 minutes each side as it is really hard work for him. I only lunge around once a month and think perhaps I should do it a bit more frequently as we both enjoy it. Also, what are your opinions of Pessoa's? Are they worth the money and what is their specific purpose? I have been told they encourage a good topline but to be honest know very little about them.
 
I lunge Lottie 2 - 3 times a week. She loves it, and it's good for her. I use either a Pessoa, Harbridge or just a headcollar! I also incorporate poles and jumps.

It does depend on the horse, Teazle and Flo are never lunged, they hate it. Bramble loves it and loves jumping on the lunge.
 
I have a Pessoa and have always quite liked it and a lot of people on here rate them, but my trainer doesn't like them at all and has shown me a much better way of lunging using draw reins.
I try and lunge once a week, but I lunged Axey yesterday and today and he was fabulous today, I can't wait to ride him now
smile.gif
 
Lungeing is good for loads of things. Mainly the reasons you stated, but long reining is, IMPO much better. I lunge to exercise and improve communication.
 
I lunge quite often. Usually around twice a week, esp if my back doesn't feel up to riding. I firstly warm up with trot and canter transitions (no side reins), and do this on both reins, really trying to get him 'off the aids' as it were, in this case the voice and body language. This takes around 5mins on each side.

Then I use side reins. About 10 mins on each rein, lots of transitions, big circles and then some smaller ones (but not much of the smaller work). I usually take the side reins down in betwen reins so he can stretch out.

Then I warm down, walk and trot with no side reins.

I am beginning to wonder whether all this lunging is such a good thing though, having read an article in H&H yesterday about it possibly being harmful to joints, ligaments etc??

BTW I didn't get on with a pessoa. Just couldn't get him to work properly in it
 
Most of our our lunged, for exercise usually around 20 mins 2 or 3 time a week, and we lunge them in pairs if time is short. We use side reins on some, not sure how a pessoa would work on ponies, but find the side reins good especially if the pony readily works from behind anyway.
 
I lunge once a week to add variety to Nelly's life. Sometimes use poles to get her rounding over her back. I use a roller and side reins. Warm her up without them done up, then put them on fairly loosely and gradually shorten as she comes down and rounder. Let her cool down without them in walk and then lead her round the school to finish.
 
I lunge onceor twice a week in a pessoa as find it really improves my horses way of going.
Have seen someone lunge in drawreins before not sure if its the same way but thread draw reins through the bit put it between there front legs then seperate them so one draw rein between each armpit gather just behind the withers and tie in a knot If that makes any sense at all.....
Edited to add do also jump and do pole work on the lunge although only tend to that once a month if that
 
i only ever lunge youngsters prior to backing, never at all after that. i don't like it and i think it's detrimental in a lot of ways. i realise this isn't a very trendy attitude though! i'd prefer to take the time to teach the horse about contact, softening at the poll, etc, and if i've only got 20 mins, i do 20mins walk schooling.
 
i lunge occasionally but if im going to do something in hand i long line.much prefere it.
i do like the pessoa but you could make one for about £10!LOL.
i dont do more than 20mins lunging as its hard on the joints
i will do 45ins of longlining in a large area(unless i get tired first lol!) or 30mins in the school
 
i lunge once a week, just to give her variety in work, also to help her on circle work to become balanced

also like today lunge if she has lots of energy lol
 
I lunge about once a week with elasticated side reins. It has helped me and my girl bond and my mare uses it as a way to kick her heels up and throw herself around for 5 mins....i would much rather she did it when i'm not on her! She is a highly strung mare and a think it does her good to be able to do some work without me riding her, she seems to unwind and relax when lunged (after the first 5 mins of maddness!!)
 
I never, ever lunge other than before backing. I think it's detrimental in lots of ways... IMO schooling into an outline should only be done when you're on top of the horse
 
Between front legs, up through the bit and tied onto the roller at each side. Nearly trashed my lovely leather draw reins doing this so I took my pessoa apart and now use that, much easier to adjust too!

Also I never stand in the middle and lunge on a circle, I walk up and down the school, doing smaller and larger circles, and straight lines.
My ex boss would have killed me if I had stood in once place!!
 
I dont lunge my boy anymore!!!Did loads during the breaking,backing process and up until he was balanced in canter,have done everything else on board and had huge results!!!Main reason IT BORES us both to death,lmao
grin.gif

I hate lunging with a vengeance,sure it has its benefits but we as a couple hate it!!!
 
When had April in work only just used to lunge really when I hadnt ridden for a few days cuz she got a bit fizzy... same with all my other ponies mostly. My Mum also lunged a bit occasionally too if I didnt ride.

However, it is really good... I tended to just ride instead.
 
[ QUOTE ]
i do not lunge, i do free school however
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]


Being a bit thick here, I'm sure you must do it properly asbo but most people's idea of free schooling is to chase their horses about in the school with a lunge whip. What's the point?? Unless you're loose jumping....
 
I lunge George once a week with a pessoa, we warm up and cool down without it fastened and then do 5 mins each side. It really seems to help with his balance and outline.
 
Chancer gets free schooled weekly - he works on the track round the whole school and then if I stand in one place works round me in a circle. Cairo does the same twice a week.

Chancer is also lunged on a rein once a week - but we use the whole school and will put in a small jump every couple of weeks. I will also use two rein so I can easily change from lunging to long reining.

I personally like to work from the ground weekly so I can see how they are going and it gives them a variety of different things to do in the school.
 
I do every so often, just to add a bit of variety.

Once when he got very very excited out on a hack I could barely hold him. Got back to the yard and was told "lunge the b******s off him"!

Needless to say he had loads of built up energy that he needed to get out!
 
I don't lunge my horse because I have no facilities to, he has had ocd in his hock and I don't think it would be a good idea to put unneccesary pressure on it. I also don't think that it is great for horses to be exercised constantly in a small circle. IMO long reining is far better and more affective. I have in the past worked for people who would lunge for 40 mins in a pessoa 3-4 times a week and wonder why their horses were tight through the neck and back...........
 
i lunge about once a week- i use a bungee and a roller- i dont do it for more than 20 mins tho. solo really enjoys it bit red hates it, so he doesnt get lunged.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top