lunging 4yr old

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Portia QT

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My boy is 4 (5 in May) and i currently lunge him twice a week. Each lunge session includes 8-10 mins in the pessoa on each rein. He also has a warm up and cool down before and after.

Do you think this is okay or too much?

He is also schooled twice a week for 30-40 mins and hacked out 2 or 3 times a week for half hour.
 
Sounds absolutely fine
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Col x
 
Mine is a year younger and I don't lunge him at all yet.... However am thinking that once nights draw in next autumn we will start lunging once a week in pessoa and by next spring might be up to twice a week but will keep sessions short like you are.
 
Mines the same age (well a month younger
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) and she gets lunged about the same, though for longer periods. I try to keep the circle relatively big, only smaller for short periods of time, but that is absolutely fine. Mine gets lunged for upto 20 mins a time.
 
I do mean 8-10mins per rein so 16-20 mins in the pessoa per lunge session... (plus warm up / cool down on top of this without the pessoa attached in front)
 
As long as you are not using the Pessoa to pull your horse into a false outline I don't see a problem.

I personally don't like to lunge the youngsters too much once they have been backed but that is just my preference. Have you thought about maybe loose jumping to add some variety?
 
Unfortunately loose jumping can take AGES to set up a lane etc. I do lunging when I am short of time, so do 20mins with 2 mins to get her ready. Agree loose jumping can be fab fun for them too!!
 
I have just started doing a few mornings a week for a woman who has a 5 years old and he was being lunged for average 5 days a week and upto 40mins a time, i explained to said lady why i refused to do this, and so far she has understood, so he gets walked in-hand, and long reined by me on the days i do but the other girl still lunges on her 3 days, so i am still trying to get them to cut down a bit
 
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