On The Lunge..

[ChestnutHunter]

Basically, my horse is quite sharp and spooky, and gets lunged at nights when Im not riding. If I change the rein he sometimes bolts and takes himself round the school meaning I have to catch him again and reattatch my lunge line etc.
I lunge him in his usual tack at the minute with side reins, but im just wondering if there is anything I can put on his bridle to allow me to just work him around me to switch reins as opposed to having to unattatch my lunge line,if that makes any sense!
Help is very much appreciated,thanks!

 

[Charlie007]

Put lunge line through bit and over his head. secure it under his chin so you don't need to take it off when changing rein. Does that make sense??

 

[milliepops]

Would a coupling be any good?

http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCode=34926&campaign=Basefeed

ETA, or do you HAVE to lunge off the bridle? Could you use a cavesson?

 

[ChestnutHunter]

so,clip it onto the back of the noseband or...?
sorry,blonde moment!

edit: I think a coupling would be a really good idea.. less fuss and less to go wrong haha!! Thankyou!

 

[Scheherezade]

Lunge cavesson over bridle - the lunge line clips onto the noseband.

I lunge my horse in a headcollar with the line clipped to where a leadrope goes. I've taught him to turn in the opposite direction when I say "turn around!" which is a big help

 

[Charlie007]

Its me not explaining it right!! Sorry!! Will try again!! Take the end of the lunge line with the clip on. Put this up through the bit on the right hand side of horse, then over head and down through left side. Tie a small knot in lunge line where the the line will now meet the clip under his chin. Once knot is tied use the clip on the knot to secure. Any good!!??I use this method s it contols the head really well and doesn't interfere with any gadgets your using on the bit.

 

[milliepops]

Pic of how to use coupling is on page 2 of this
http://www.equinetraining.co.uk/pdf/retraining_racehorses.pdf

I think the one used in this article is a 3 way coupling which attaches to noseband too.

 

[ChestnutHunter]

I need something with a bit on it,and shamefully dont own a cavesson!! I think a cavesson with a bit would be my best option... an excuse to go horsey shopping today I think...!!

 

[soloequestrian]

You could long-rein instead - it allows you to do much more interesting things once you get the hang of it, figures of eight etc.

 

[Puddock]

Long-rein on a circle/lunge with two lines. It's not as cumbersome as it sounds. If you're lunging in your normal tack just let your stirrups down and secure them underneath his belly with an old stirrup leather/baling twine/whatever you can lay your hands on so they don't flap around. Then clip a lunge line to each side of the bit and run through the stirrup iron. The outside rein runs behind the horse and just above his hocks. I feel this method more closely mimics the contact when on board, so it can be really helpful.

 

[chestnut cob]

I would long rein him instead. Use a roller, lines through the lower reins to start with which will encourage him to stretch. LR is good for getting them to work properly and you can do lateral work, all of the usual school movements (circles, serpentines, figures of 8 etc), and I don't find that mine tries to take off like he does on the lunge.

When I lunge, I use draw reins. I know it sounds horrid but it really isn't! Run them from the bit, between legs and over back. It just encourages them to drop their head and stretch, similar to a Pessoa but without the back bit of one to sock him in the gob constantly. Put the lunge line over his head.