Lunging - suggested techniques/training aids you find useful ?

056775

056775

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I have just introduced my 5 YO WB to lunging and has taken to it very well. Given the limited facilities I have for the next month or so (make that no facilities except a lunge pen and a road for exercise!), I plan on lunging about 3-4 times a week for 20 mins MAX

I'm not about to go hard core on a baby or over do any thing but just wondering what exercises and training aids you use?

I really need to work on softening him as he happily works quite flat/hollow through the back through lack of schooling (I've only had him a week)

Popped some side reins on him (loose and tightened slowly and evenly through the session) but he got the better of them by putting his nose on the floor in trot (very resourceful I thought in order to avoid the contact ;-) ).

Having back checked next week and teeth fine...

Suggestions please!
 
Persevere with the side reins and really send him forwards into them. Use a lunge caves son so that when you use your hand on the lunge line you give him the same rein aid as you do when riding him. A squeeze on the lunge line moves the horses head to the inside and at the same time tightens the outside rein.
 
056775 said:
Popped some side reins on him (loose and tightened slowly and evenly through the session) but he got the better of them by putting his nose on the floor in trot (very resourceful I thought in order to avoid the contact ;-) ).

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You say you are lunging him for twenty minutes max per session. If your horse is unfit and not used to lunging, it isn't advisable to be tightening side reins during a session. They should be set loose, and tightened over a period of sessions as the horse's fitness and self-carriage allows.

The reason he 'avoids' the contact is because he will be finding it increasingly uncomfortable as you shorten (tighten) the side reins.

I lunge my youngsters lightly then start long-reining. I don't use aids when starting them on the lunge, because they have to be comfortable to be able to relax and go well.
 
AengusOg said:
You say you are lunging him for twenty minutes max per session. If your horse is unfit and not used to lunging, it isn't advisable to be tightening side reins during a session. They should be set loose, and tightened over a period of sessions as the horse's fitness and self-carriage allows.

The reason he 'avoids' the contact is because he will be finding it increasingly uncomfortable as you shorten (tighten) the side reins.
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Totally agree - it takes time to get the horse fit and the horse should be worked to the side rein length not the sidereins tightened to dictate the carriage
 
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