Lunging today (pics!) How do you think she's looking now?

PonyFeet10

PonyFeet10

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Just interested to see how you think she's looking now. Please bare in mind she is very fit at the moment!

This was me lunging her today, she needs more topline but this is very difficult to work on whilst she's ridden as she's a very sensitive excitable horse. So therefore I'm looking to build it up whilst lunging her.

Also what would you suggest I use to help her with stretching out long and low? The few photos here of her stretching down only lasted 5 to 10 seconds at a time and only twice throughout the session!

(Please excuse poor quality, they're off of a video which is off of my phone!)

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Sorry for photo overload :o
 
I think in order to achieve what you want (more topline) through lunging you need to think about at least using sidereins or a Pessoa/similar system. At the moment your horse has no 'contact' to work into to guide the body shape and self carriage that will help to build up her topline. She will only hold the long and low frame for a short time because there's nothing there to encourage her to stay there. You don't need to make any 'gadgets' you use tight at all to force the shape. I think one of the forum members (Kerilli I think) has done a thread about lunging with a very simple system improvised from a pair of draw reins.
 
I'm very jealous that you are lunging on grass, our fields are sodden.

She looks a lovely type :D, don't want to sound like I'm nit picking but is it worth taking the reins off next time? I've heard of some terrible accidents where horses are working, get a bit silly and then end up with legs caught up in reins etc. Sorry to put a downer on my post, like I said before, she is a nice horse :)

I've used the draw rein arrangement for lunging on a very opinionated horse but she liked that "gadget" as it's sympathetic and kind on the horse, I attach to a cavesson rather than a bridle.
 
herewego said:
How come you dont work her in a roller or saddle? or had you taken them off
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Today is the first time she's been lunged in a long time (please don't shoot me down I'm being honest!!) so I was just looking to get the over all picture of her whole body not being obstructed by anything if that makes sense? I will be progressing on over the next week or so to work her in a saddle on the lunge, but I'm not a particular fan of side reins and I don't own a Pessoa or any other gadgets for lunging!

I do however own a pair of draw reins so I'm off to find that thread, thanks Kitkat!!

Mb13, yes my thoughts half way through lol! I will be removing them next time, I did wrap them and tie them up but they kept slipping up her neck towards her head :eek:! Luckily she's very good and quiet to lunge so we were ok today but will take them off in future :D

Our fields are never normally like this in winter lol, it's lovely to be able to exercise the horses in them at the moment since I don't have the use of a school!! :)
 
Ah yes, the draw rein arrangement looks good, I think I'll have a go with them tomorrow and see what happens! She just needs to build up her topline more as when stood still she looks more like this :D

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(she's put on a lot more weight since then, this was taken a few months back!)
 
Sorry, really cheeky. You don't have the drawer reins link do you?

I have one without much top line too. She is lovely though and looks very calm for someone who hasn't lunged for a while. I would be getting a much stronger reaction than that if I left it a while!
 
You could try lunging in a chambon as this encourages the horse to seek the contact and to work long and low.

I think your horse is a little underweight but as the grass will be coming through soon that is maybe not a bad thing.
 
jesstickle said:
Sorry, really cheeky. You don't have the drawer reins link do you?

I have one without much top line too. She is lovely though and looks very calm for someone who hasn't lunged for a while. I would be getting a much stronger reaction than that if I left it a while!
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Yep it's here - http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=429726

I've just read it myself and the whole thread is very informative :D

Also thank you! She's the best horse I've ever lunged, goes all off of your voice! Occasionally she'll get a bit excitable but that's if she's not been exercised for a while then you put her straight on the lunge lol.

My other mare is a completely different story, if I ever put her on the lunge in an open field be prepared to see us both off in the distance in no less than 5 seconds :D
 
eggs said:
You could try lunging in a chambon as this encourages the horse to seek the contact and to work long and low.

I think your horse is a little underweight but as the grass will be coming through soon that is maybe not a bad thing.
Click to expand...

How does a chambon 'fit' and work? I've not used one before!

Yes she's a poor doer and didn't do so well the beginning of winter but has picked up a lot now (She is 24!!). A & P Calm and Condition has done wonders for her :D

Funkyfilly - she has a man with a lawnmower clipped on to her bottom :D

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