lunging

I don't use any artificial aids when lunging, work on varying circle sizes, squares, voltes, poles, shoulder fore (or more accurately haunches slightly out) - all of these help to supple and strengthen and the horse starts to come round in time
 
RubysGold said:
What do you use and why when lunging?
considering buying some side reins but not sure yet
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What are you hoping to achieve by lunging? Whether or not you use side reins, depends on what you hope that the horse will gain from lunging.

Side reins can be very useful.

I have a Pessoa, and an equi ami, but they are both still on the shelf in their packaging! I am getting the results that I want without them. I lunge with and without side reins, depending on how the horse is going, and on what I am aiming to achieve in a particular session :).
 
Different things work for different horses and I've found it to be a case of trial and error.

I have just bought this got my welshie, who has a very high head carriage natural and pulls herself along rather than pushing from behind...

http://www.classicdressage.com/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=409

The Pessoa was pointless for her, she just curled up into a ball (was brilliant on my other mare) and she tends to lean on side reins. She detests anything which hints at poll pressure but with this in she works brilliantly. She lowers her head straight away and powers on from behind. I've been using it for two/three weeks and you can already see improved muscle on her back.

But as I said, I think training aids are very much a 'depends on the horse and its particular issues' . Definitely not a one rule suits all!
Good luck :-)
 
I use an EquiAmi on my horse as when I bought him he used to lean on the bit a little when I was riding him; because he isn't able to lean on the EquiAmi (unlike a Pessoa I believe) he has improved under saddle. His topline has also improved considerably, to be honest I wouldn't use anything else.
 
Another EquiAmi recommendation, has made an incredible difference to my horse and does everything by encouragement rather than force. A horse has to learn to carry itself properly as it works on a loop system and so therefore they can't lean on anything or "cheat" like they can with other training aids.
 
dollymix said:
Different things work for different horses and I've found it to be a case of trial and error.

I have just bought this got my welshie, who has a very high head carriage natural and pulls herself along rather than pushing from behind...

http://www.classicdressage.com/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=409

The Pessoa was pointless for her, she just curled up into a ball (was brilliant on my other mare) and she tends to lean on side reins. She detests anything which hints at poll pressure but with this in she works brilliantly. She lowers her head straight away and powers on from behind. I've been using it for two/three weeks and you can already see improved muscle on her back.

But as I said, I think training aids are very much a 'depends on the horse and its particular issues' . Definitely not a one rule suits all!
Good luck :-)
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I use draw reins, work exactly the same as this and much cheaper!
 
I've binned my Pessoa and equiami as I get better results from using one side rein on the outside rein to the surcingle and then feed the lunge rein through the bit ring and clip to the surcingle on the other side. This means he can't lean and has to find his own balance. Amazing difference in his ridden work following. Has the freedom to stretch, flex, bend and self balance.

Alternatively I also use two long lines for lunging through the surcingle rings or without so I can drive from behind, to the side, do serpentines, change the rein, go large round the arena and back to circles in and out, straight. Keep the variance and interest in the work. Keeps me fit all that running around like Penelope Pitstop!
 
I'm a big advocate for the Equi-Ami.....but not all horses go well in it! Fabio goes extremely well and has really helped him muscle up. However OH's horse Raz doesn't go well in it at all and i lunge him in side reins which he goes really nicely in. Also tried Raz with a bungee which he didn't get on with!
 
I've been using an elastic Chambon http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PFIFF-Hor...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item2582d15b5c . I use it quite loose, but still applies a little poll pressure which has helped my horse loads. I've tried side reins but he just pokes his nose in the air, even when they are really loose!

I've been recommended the equi-ami, but he's still quite weak so slowly building up. When he's a little fitter I may invest in one.
 
Tiddlypom said:
What are you hoping to achieve by lunging? Whether or not you use side reins, depends on what you hope that the horse will gain from lunging.

Side reins can be very useful.

I have a Pessoa, and an equi ami, but they are both still on the shelf in their packaging! I am getting the results that I want without them. I lunge with and without side reins, depending on how the horse is going, and on what I am aiming to achieve in a particular session :).
Click to expand...

Tiddlypom, would you like to sell your equi ami to me?!! :)
 
RubysGold said:
What do you use and why when lunging?
considering buying some side reins but not sure yet
Click to expand...


I use cavasson- side reins- lunge lines- saddle or lunging roller. Horse wears boots. I use it because I like using that combination, and its what I was trained to use.


I do however have Pessoa and use that intermittently
 
dollymix said:
Different things work for different horses and I've found it to be a case of trial and error.

I have just bought this got my welshie, who has a very high head carriage natural and pulls herself along rather than pushing from behind...

http://www.classicdressage.com/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=409

The Pessoa was pointless for her, she just curled up into a ball (was brilliant on my other mare) and she tends to lean on side reins. She detests anything which hints at poll pressure but with this in she works brilliantly. She lowers her head straight away and powers on from behind. I've been using it for two/three weeks and you can already see improved muscle on her back.

But as I said, I think training aids are very much a 'depends on the horse and its particular issues' . Definitely not a one rule suits all!
Good luck :-)
Click to expand...

This :).

We have a pessoa, side reins and multiple lunge lines so I vary how I lunge Kal depending on what I want to achieve . . . sometimes pessoa, sometimes side reins (not so much recently) and (more often recently) two lunge lines.

If I were you, I'd take the advice of a decent instructor :).

P
 
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