Lunging questions

[HannahB]

Hey, I have a 14.2 irish cob, shes not at all fat, but I want to get her doing more groundwork as im sick of hacking so id like some advice on what tack to look for, baring in mind i dont have much flat space (sadly no ring so i cant even jump much unless on a hack), but i have plenty of flat-ish (not really) space in the fields. I know to get an 8m lunge reign but not sure what else to get like would she be better with a pony size roller or would a cob size be ok if i use with a smaller girth? Thanks

 

[sbloom]

I would look at some proper postural focused groundwork, as well as some play type, I'd not be lunging in side reins, holding the nose in, even if you think it's about giving them a contact to work into, really has no useful purpose. I can email you (pm me your address) a list of groundwork online resources if that would be helpful? It's likely that a shorter line and a proper Spanish cavesson would be most useful, but you'd be able to do a lot with a proper rope halter.

 

[Polos Mum]

I lunge mine in a headcollar (tighter than normal) and a lunge line - no fancy gadgets

There was a really interesting article about groundwork from one of the eventers this week on walking them in hand along a couple of poles on the ground, moving them from side to side to develop suppleness and core - lots of interesting groundwork can be done in a small space. Even proper leading, standing / ground anchor is harder than it looks

 

[Leam_Carrie]

I lunge mine in a headcollar (tighter than normal) and a lunge line - no fancy gadgets

There was a really interesting article about groundwork from one of the eventers this week on walking them in hand along a couple of poles on the ground, moving them from side to side to develop suppleness and core - lots of interesting groundwork can be done in a small space. Even proper leading, standing / ground anchor is harder than it looks

Emailed that article to myself as looked good. Here it is OP > https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/horse-r...6c2a7g5QVQiJMl4637W3sC07BSBaShMBkf-1nafuk7iTE

I’ve been rehabbing my horse with in hand work. She’s looking really good with regular in hand poles (some raised), long reining and lots of stretching. And it’s fun. I had my coach give me a few lessons which really helped.

 

[Polos Mum]

Thanks Leam_Carrie that's the one - I thought it was really interesting

 

[meleeka]

I always long rein in preference to lunging. I find it much more interesting because you don’t have to stick to the circle. Even long reining in walk over poles and in serpentines can be beneficial. You can also do it with normal tack, just an elastic circingle to keep your stirrups still.

 

[Polos Mum]

just an elastic circingle to keep your stirrups still.

Or you can tie your stirrups to each other under the saddle with a piece of baler twine as a no expense alternative

 

[Cowpony]

Or take the stirrups off?

 

[coblets]

I would look at some proper postural focused groundwork, as well as some play type, I'd not be lunging in side reins, holding the nose in, even if you think it's about giving them a contact to work into, really has no useful purpose. I can email you (pm me your address) a list of groundwork online resources if that would be helpful? It's likely that a shorter line and a proper Spanish cavesson would be most useful, but you'd be able to do a lot with a proper rope halter.

Would you mind if I sent you my email too?

 

[HannahB]

There was a really interesting article about groundwork from one of the eventers this week on walking them in hand along a couple of poles on the ground, moving them from side to side to develop suppleness and core

I remember a similar article I read a while ago in another mag, might be time to root it out

 

[HannahB]

I always long rein in preference to lunging. I find it much more interesting because you don’t have to stick to the circle. Even long reining in walk over poles and in serpentines can be beneficial. You can also do it with normal tack, just an elastic circingle to keep your stirrups still.

Would I be ok using 2 long reigns? And would I need them attached to the saddle? I've never seen anyone longreign a horse before, might be time for YouTube..

 

[meleeka]

Would I be ok using 2 long reigns? And would I need them attached to the saddle? I've never seen anyone longreign a horse before, might be time for YouTube..

You can thread the lung reins through the stirrups the same as you would the rings on a roller. Once you’ve worked out how to cope with two reins (best to do this in walk!) it’s good fun. I’m sure there must be hundred of videos online

 

[Parrotperson]

I'd only add. Wear a hat, gloves and good boots (no wellies!). And have someone around if you can until you know pony will behave

Use your bridle (put the long rein on one side of the bit then thread it over his head to clip to the other side and reveres it round depending on which rein you're on)

Otherwise have fun!

 

[sbloom]

Would you mind if I sent you my email too?

Of course, send it through

Would I be ok using 2 long reigns? And would I need them attached to the saddle? I've never seen anyone longreign a horse before, might be time for YouTube..

Generally it's best to learn to long rein with a horse that's done it before, or have a trainer come out to train your horse to long rein, it can go wrong spectacularly as I'm sure you can imagine.

 

[HannahB]

Generally it's best to learn to long rein with a horse that's done it before, or have a trainer come out to train your horse to long rein, it can go wrong spectacularly as I'm sure you can imagine.

OK thanks, I'll bear that in mind