lunging off the bridle

SEL

SEL

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We can lunge in the outdoor school if someone is riding providing we are safe and generally that means using a bridle rather than cavesson.

I'm getting rather fed up of faffing around re-connecting the lunge rope to the different sides of the bridle everytime I want to change direction. Any bright ideas on a gadget that attaches to the bit and doesn't matter which way you go?
 
I use a leather showing in hand attachment so you just clip the lunge line onto the ring so no need to change it, no risk of it getting tight under the chin or over the head either it's brilliant bit of kit for lunging.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I use a leather showing in hand attachment so you just clip the lunge line onto the ring so no need to change it, no risk of it getting tight under the chin or over the head either it's brilliant bit of kit for lunging.
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This is what we have done when necessary... don't like lunging off the bit but if needs must.
 
With a bridle and bit i would always have two lines, that way you can feel the contact a little better. You can then change ways without needing to switch anything but the horse
 
But would a coupling not just be continuously pulling the outside making the horse very confused about what theyre supposed to do in a circle?
 
Thanks - I'll buy a coupling. Cheap enough for an Xmas pressie! I do lunge on 2 reins sometimes but I'm not very coordinated and my feet, the ropes and the horse can get a little tangled...
 
equi said:
But would a coupling not just be continuously pulling the outside making the horse very confused about what theyre supposed to do in a circle?
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I can honestly say I've never had this problem, mine stay on the circle they are put on when they are on the lunge, I can feel them down the line, but it's not a pull to keep them on the circle.
 
If you're lunging 'properly' then I'd go two lines, if you're lunging for exercise purely to get the fizz out of them, I can't see that the coupling would do any harm
 
scats said:
I can honestly say I've never had this problem, mine stay on the circle they are put on when they are on the lunge, I can feel them down the line, but it's not a pull to keep them on the circle.
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Same as you scats. Never had an issue using a coupling. I just twist the reins up and through the throat lash now (is that lazy or dangerous?) and attached the leather coupling and off we go.

OP check the measurements of the coupling. I brought a synthetic one once and it was too big and flapped about all over the place hitting the horse under the chin. I then invested in a lovely leather one which fits perfectly.
 
If there is a rider on board is it really necessary to have the line attached to the bit? Could rider not take up the reins if necessary? Then you can lunge off a cavesson over the top if it won't interfere too much?

Lunging (with a single line) off a bit can't be great for mouths imo.
 
No matter how loosely the coupling is attached, or how lightly the lunge line is held, ALL the sensation will be on the outside of the mouth which will be at best nonsensical.

I know not all people lunge with a true training intent, but if you are to really utilise the very useful effects of lunging having the "bother" of changing the rein from one side to the other is really essential.
 
I have used a leather coupling to lunge for years they don't pull on the outside they don't twist round they don't cause constant pressure on the bit, I find a cavesson possibly the worst bit of kit ever they are heavy great bulky things that twist on the horses head and frankly you have zero control I never use them.
 
I use a rope headcollar over my bridle, as you can change direction quite easily. Also just clip the lunge line onto the nose band and move it to the side you are using,
 
GirlFriday said:
If there is a rider on board is it really necessary to have the line attached to the bit? Could rider not take up the reins if necessary? Then you can lunge off a cavesson over the top if it won't interfere too much?

Lunging (with a single line) off a bit can't be great for mouths imo.
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No rider on board, this is just for exercise purposes. I agree that lunging off the bit isn't great, but she needs exercising and its yard rules if there's someone else in the school.

Looking at the price of a coupling its cheap enough to try out and if it doesn't work then its only a few quid down the drain. I long reined in our ice rink of an arena this morning and proved yet again to myself that with 2 reins I become completely uncoordinated. I even had different colour reins to help with right and left (yup - I'm that bad!). Anyway, pony behaved angelically after 5 days in the field which is a relief.
 
Cortez said:
No matter how loosely the coupling is attached, or how lightly the lunge line is held, ALL the sensation will be on the outside of the mouth which will be at best nonsensical.

I know not all people lunge with a true training intent, but if you are to really utilise the very useful effects of lunging having the "bother" of changing the rein from one side to the other is really essential.
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I have to say I agree, sorry :( Though I suppose if a horse is fairly autonomous when it comes to lunging then you could maintain a fairly loose line and not interfere too much.
Hate cavessons too - as above, I haven't encountered one yet that doesn't twist round.
 
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