Totally lost... Getting a horse to work properly on the lunge?

[TarrSteps]

Just remember that 20 mins lunging is the equivalent of an hours riding. It is extremely tiring for a horse and a tired horse soon becomes an injured horse!. Thanks TS , I did not realise this. I know you and trust you so I am prepared to take tis at face value.

I didn't quite say that (it was applecart's math)- I think you can't quantify that exactly and so much depends on what sort of work you're doing. But it's true that very few riders would trot steadily for 15 or 20 minutes (set your clock and try it, it's a looooong time) on a single circle but many people think nothing of doing it on the longe.

That can be the benefit of longeing before riding, of course. The horse is tired and the rider is not!

 

[Mike007]

Thanks for the expansion on the explanation.As said I do value your opinions.

 

[Gleeful Imp]

I also had to follow a physio rehab programme for damaged back muscles. My mare had significant problems that meant stretching was essential, didn't have the option of weeks or months to teach her with only a head collar etc. physio recommended use of a pair of draw reins, over the back, under the elbows, attached to the bit. At a legnth to encourage her to keep her head below her withers.
But, and here's the but, this had to be done slowly. And lots of transitions too. We also used raised poles a lot. Worked wonders!

Shame we sorted her back (though no idea what caused it, wasn't saddle related) then she broke behind and did her suspensory. Horses.

 

[wench]

I also had to follow a physio rehab programme for damaged back muscles. My mare had significant problems that meant stretching was essential, didn't have the option of weeks or months to teach her with only a head collar etc. physio recommended use of a pair of draw reins, over the back, under the elbows, attached to the bit. At a legnth to encourage her to keep her head below her withers.
But, and here's the but, this had to be done slowly. And lots of transitions too. We also used raised poles a lot. Worked wonders!

Shame we sorted her back (though no idea what caused it, wasn't saddle related) then she broke behind and did her suspensory. Horses.

This is quite pertinent to my horse. If I take the draw rein arrangement off she will go into giraffe mode again, which will then counteract the process I've made with her. I can imagine it will take time to teach her to stretch on the lunge without a gadget.

She doesn't have a bad back, or any serious problems, just a couple of niggles from not being worked properly, and being allowed to giraffe by previous owners.

For her own Benifit she needs to work over her back in some semblance in lunging and ridden work