lunging with side reins and roller

[Firehorse]

i havent lunged properly for yrs, other than using a bridle coz my boy can get strong when cantering. i've just bought myself side reins and roller as i want to start doing it properly on the days i dont hve time to ride. question - where on the roller should i attach the side reins? i read somewhere the more advanced/fit the horse is, the higher they should be. is that right?? so start on lower setting and work my way up the fitter he gets??

 

[milliepops]

Depends on how the horse goes, but I usually attach them on the lower ring in the first instance (around girth strap height)

 

[Ditchjumper2]

We always have them quite loose but low, about level with top of forelegs. Leather side reins best due to their weight.

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Mine go about half way down the horse's sides (bottom ring on my roller).

Start of with side reins loose, but then tighten up as fitness and horse's understanding increase.

Remember that lunging is quiet tiring for the horse and puts more pressure/strain on the inside hind especially, so start off with short sessions and build up - using the side reins will mean that the horse will hold himself and work differently to lunging without.

I walk up and down the school so the horse has two straight-ish sides, thereby reducing the strain. There was a big article about lunging in HH last year some time, made for quite interesting reading .