Lunging Help Please *with Piccys*

3Beasties

3Beasties

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 September 2008
Messages
15,574
Visit site
I want to start lunging Charlie at least twice a week as he has lost a lot of muscle and I think it's the best way to build it back up.

The problem is I'm worried about using any sort of training aid (side reins, passoa, etc, etc) as he has in the past reacted badly to them (running backwards at speed and then falling over). He will be fine for a while but then suddenly explode
crazy.gif


Is it possible to get a horse working long and low without using any gadgets? And if so how?
confused.gif



Yesterday I lunged him off his bridle (with no gadgets or anything) and he was fine most of the time but a few times he shot of and did handstand bucks, if he felt the restriction of a gadget/training aid I think he would explode!

I managed to get a few strides of walk like this yesterday
CIMG5872.jpg


CIMG5866.jpg




But trot and Canter is more like this
crazy.gif
blush.gif

CIMG5860.jpg


CIMG5862.jpg


Help please
laugh.gif



PS. Please excuse the state of him
frown.gif
 
Pip isn't naturally well enough balanced to work long and low free, would lunging off 2 reins be an option? With the half halfs from that he can maintain stretching on the circle. Ginga does go round with his head almost on the floor naturally, almost scary to watch, I'm not sure that is totally normal though as most horses will want some form of balancing around the size of circle you lunge on.
 
I'm now completely sold with a tip I read on another post the other week. My boy is funny to get working long and low when gadgets are added too, which is why I tend not to use them [bungees etc are no help to him].

Anyway, tried the tip I rad the other day and it works so well him;

Have a pair of draw reins and lie them over the wither areaso they dangle to the ground down the horses side's both sides. Then put them through the horse's front legs and then up and clipped to the bit. Knot the reins over the wither to a suitable length for your horse and lunge as normal
smile.gif


I have a pic...I'll add it in a sec!
 
My horse hates any kind of training aid when lunging but only if I lunge off the bridle. If I attach the lunge line to a lunge cavesson he is perfect in side reins etc. He panics with the pressure on his mouth with both.
I would use side reins and start with the really loose, only start to tighten them once he is totally relaxed and build up slowly until you can use the correctly.
Lunging him like he is at the mo will do his muscle tone more harm than good.
 
I would concentrate on walk (although I know they can have a tendency to shoot off initially) and improving the quality of it. Start by walking alongside in quite big circles and then lengthen the rope so that he is mostly working off your voice, and keeping it controlled.

How is long reining? For spookier horses I use a roller and feed the long lines through that so that I can walk almost alongside them, you can still do circles but it is easier to change direction and do figures of 8 or work over poles.
 
That's the Ho, it's also the cheaper version that I use,
grin.gif
proper one is £40/£60!!! It works amazinly well and has changed my horse from giraffe to working so nicely, there is nothing to lean on and it's quick and easy to put on. Big fan here.
 
I stopped using side reins due him over reaction to them even with them quite long had the same reaction from him so now I use a promise wrap which is just a exercise bagange that goes round the bum attaching to the d reins on the roller it helps them use their backend more without the force. I don't like any gadgets. Since Ive been doing it this way I dont get pulled around and end up with a very stroppy horse. He now works nice and low and long still got plenty to work on.
 
RR - I didn't think of using two lines, might be a good idea, thanks!


Binky - I have one of those training aids but I am still worried he will react badly to it
frown.gif
I'd hate for him to injure himself
crazy.gif



Charlie - Also worth a try, I always lunge of the bridle but will try with a cavesson
laugh.gif



MH - I did think I should stick to walk and get that more consistent before working up to trot and then canter. Long reining is also a good idea, never tried it!
 
In the bridle with side reins my horse would either run backwards, or charge off forwards running with his head stuck in the air in a panic. As soon as I used the cavesson he stopped worrying.
Let me know how you get on.
 
Probably completely numpty question too so please don't take offense....but have all pain/discomfort issues been cleared? Teeth, back, mctimony, etc.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Probably completely numpty question too so please don't take offense....but have all pain/discomfort issues been cleared? Teeth, back, mctimony, etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, all within the last few weeks, he has gone down hill a lot since Xmas, and I think it is due to pain. Vet thinks he has gastric ulcers which have been causing him problems. I need to change a few things with his diet/management so hopefully he will start improving shortly.
 
2 reins are definitely worth a try.
Otherwise, it's quite easy to train an intelligent horse to stretch down to a voice command- use something simple like 'down' and lots of voice praise when he does it. Mine lunges loose very well like this
 
Aaah ok
smile.gif
lol sorry was only a thought and just thought I'd ask, you never know lol
smile.gif


I'm trying to think of what the supplement we had was called for our boys stomach....think it was acidX or something similar to that, seemed to work as we were worried about gastric ulcers causing his discomfort.
 
Cant find any lungeing ones here's one when we were long reining. I now just use the lunge pen
beaulongreining.jpg

This is the lastest one of him in the pen Yes I know line is very close to his foot this was whist I was taking a photo. I now also use a bit concente thing which works a treat as he used to pull and stike out with front leg when I used either over head or though bit yes back and teeth all fine. I tend to now loose lunge him or keep it as big as poss to make it easier for him. I think theres a site where you can get more ways to use the excerise banged body wrap and other ways Im happy with this and dont want to compacaite things.
IMG_2242-Copy.jpg
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks Bojangles
laugh.gif
The bandage looks tighter then I expected, how was your horse when you first used it on him?

[/ QUOTE ]

He was ok with it I think from what I can rember it need's to be a snug fit so they know it's there but it doesnt resictd him. He's improved so much now he's streching nicely I have taped it it's shows on how much his changed though the way i lunge him. I dont have a rounite with his lungeing because one day hes very stiff looks lame but not all down to his very tight muscle on his shoudler. Some days put him out on the circle and he would go from walk to canter doing his laps others I have to chase him up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top