Lunging in pasture? Tips, Questions + ? on how to edit profile on here.

[alexxa_.equine<3]

Hey there!
So as of right now im keeping my horse in pasture full time as hes been in pasture for a few years. I am taking him out to groom and do daily care but the property has no round pen or arena. Is lunging him in the pasture okay? Safe? Should i be concerned about anything besides basic ground and making sure the footing is okay. What do you reccomend I do?
Also, a little off topic but how do i edit my profile on this website?
Thanks!

 

[SpringArising]

If he's been out to grass for a few years you'll want to build up what you're asking of him very slowly as he's going to be pretty unfit (unless he's the sort who gallops around at any opportunity!).

If lunging on grass, make sure the ground's not too hard OR too slippy/deep with mud, and try to use as much space as possible - there's no need to have the horse go round and round in tiny circles. When I lunge I'm constantly moving, doing small circles, going large around the arena, doing poles, transitions etc. I do everything I would as if I'm riding, just without being on his back.

If you want to edit your profile, click on your username, and then go to Preferences.

 

[alexxa_.equine<3]

Thank You! As he has obtained a little too much weight he is the type of thoroughbred that will gallop in circles the minute you turn him out lol. Thank you for noting that more space is better, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the help!!
-Alexa

 

[Carrottom]

I have done it often with different horses. Obviously take all the usual safety measures - hat gloves etc. And keep it short at first. The only problem I have had was with a greedy boy who the second I relaxed would stop to eat.

 

[alexxa_.equine<3]

Good point! Thanks!

 

[JFTDWS]

Personally I'd prefer to long rein and aim for slower, less intensive work while he loses any excess weight and builds fitness. No issue in principle with lunging in pasture provided you're sensible about ground conditions and check footing beforehand.

 

[Shay]

Don't lunge in a pasture where there are others loose! I'm not clear from your post if your horse is kept alone. But if there are others in the pasture you really must not lunge there. One horse running in circles risks creating a stampede with the others joining in.

If there are no others then the previous posts are correct. Check your footing. Be sure the ground is hole free and as hillock free as you can. Moving around as Spring suggetss is abolutely better - but you do then also have to be sure of the footing in a greater area of your paddock. Also make sure your YO is OK with you lunging there. Our paddocks are so trashed right now I think hthe poor YO would have a fit!

 

[tristar]

most of the above, also do it say 3 x a week so he never gets to the too lively mode, and you can let him jog slowly 5 mins building it up gradually, using walk trot to start with, and do other things with him, as much as you can of gentle work till he is fitter

 

[Cloball]

Nothing useful to add just check for hornets. The one time I've tried to lunge in a huge empty field I ended up running across it at speed after fly bucking horse and hornet.

 

[alexxa_.equine<3]

Personally I'd prefer to long rein and aim for slower, less intensive work while he loses any excess weight and builds fitness. No issue in principle with lunging in pasture provided you're sensible about ground conditions and check footing beforehand.

Thank you! Very helpful, will make sure to do so.

 

[alexxa_.equine<3]

Don't lunge in a pasture where there are others loose! I'm not clear from your post if your horse is kept alone. But if there are others in the pasture you really must not lunge there. One horse running in circles risks creating a stampede with the others joining in.

If there are no others then the previous posts are correct. Check your footing. Be sure the ground is hole free and as hillock free as you can. Moving around as Spring suggetss is abolutely better - but you do then also have to be sure of the footing in a greater area of your paddock. Also make sure your YO is OK with you lunging there. Our paddocks are so trashed right now I think hthe poor YO would have a fit!

There is only one horse with him. It is a very old retired gelding, who doesn't do much of anything. Would this be a problem?

 

[JFTDWS]

There is only one horse with him. It is a very old retired gelding, who doesn't do much of anything. Would this be a problem?

Depends on the horse. I often lunge with other loose horses - they're mine so it's my issue if anything goes wrong, and I know what they're like so I can judge the risks and deal with anything that happens.

 

[Leo Walker]

When I first got my mare she was very fat and not broken. I did all my lunging in a huge field with rough grass, divots, ditches, an enormous muck heap and an even bigger bonfire pile. It was so good for her. I kept her out at the full length of the lunge line and moved up and down the field. She lost weight, improved her balance and learnt to keep focus on me no matter what was going on. I did lose her once, I tripped over a divot and let go and she merrily carried on. I retrieved her and we started again.

My preference would have been to long rein but I've got gimpy legs and a knackered back so no chance could I do that. Lunging was a good compromise for us. I do still take her out on a lunge line and go for walks in the woods jumping logs and things sometimes. The lunge lines let me walk very slowly while she moves on at a faster pace.

 

[MagicMelon]

I keep my horses at home, Ive never had access to an arena so I only ever ride and lunge in my horses field. Never had any issues, you just have to tailor it to the ground conditions at the time. Obviously if its wet/slippy then I wont do any canter and I'll keep them out on a big circle etc. Boot up well.

With regards loose horses - Ive always ridden and lunged with my other horses (one other right now, but has been up to five) loose in the same field. If they're used to it, they just carry on grazing.