Ride or Lunge ?

Carolina24

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24 August 2011
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I don't have a lit arena available unless I do some road work and as it's dark nights when I leave work now I have no where to ride until the weekend. There is a small grass paddock available to me and they have fitted some lighting which isn't bright but is soft and provides enough light to see. My horse seems fine been lunged in this area and I was thinking about getting on an riding him in there tonight ? ...

He has been ridden in there before but not in the dark ... what are your views on this it won't be pitch black but won't be that bright either and I would be on my own.....
 
I often ride in our sand paddock in the half light (hate the indoor school!!) and have even been known to go for a trot around the big fields in the dark when I'm really bored of schooling...and my horse is blind in one eye so makes riding in the dark even more interesting!!! I'd give it go, make sure someone is around just in case but I don't see why not do it...they walk around the fields in the dark without falling over so shouldn't be too hard to ride in semi-light. ;)
 
I'd give it a go, you dont know till you try and if your horse is okay to lunge in it in the dark with a bit of light he/she should be okay when ridden aswell. You can always lunge first then get on to take the edge off, or if your not happy then just get off. :)
 
Horses (and most other animals as well) see better than humans in the dark, so no reason not to ask your horses to poddle around in the gloom. Perhaps not do anything complicated (like jumps) at first?
 
It doesnt have to be a menage arena ...and you shoudl be fine , just make sure someone is around. As its an enclosed area you should be fine. Even with flood lights the menages out side can be a bit dim.

Agree try it and see. Even 15 mins sit on is ok.
 
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