Training aids for lunging

P

perryhillbay

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 February 2009
Messages
201
Visit site
I am not looking for this to turn into a big debate on whether or not training aids have their merits as the long and short of it is that I AM going to get one.

I am looking for some advice on which one though? I usually lunge in draw reins but am looking to change this, as they do not allow my horse to stretch down and out so I am seeking something that does not have this restriction. I do not like side reins at all, I just don't find that they do anything. My horse works through just fine from behind, but I am looking for something that will help to develop her topline, particularly under the saddle area. I only want it for lunging, as she works well under saddle but I do like and find it beneficial to lunge. I have tried a friend's bungee which she works well in, but what are people's thoughts on chambons and de gogues? Not sure on pessoas because of the issue of her socking herself in the mouth with her hindleg action - of it this scaremongering?

So, at the risk of getting abuse from anti-gadget types, which would you choose?
 

I am no expert but I looked into this as I can only lunge my cob at the moment. It seems to me that you either love or hate the Pessoa - when I did some research I found lots of comments on the socking in mouth/hind leg action debate but just as many in favour of it. My dislike with it is having lots of spare rope bits dangling when you are just warming up before you connect everything up. I know you could warm up without it and put it on when you are ready but not easy on your own with a fidgety youngster.
There is something called an equiaid (I think - look on ebay) which seems to have all the merits of the Pessoa without the faults.
As I said, only my opinion though.
 
I lunge in draw reins but possibly differently to you. Someone on another forum suggested doing it this way: run the rein from the bit, between horse's legs and up over the back, and tie them to stop them drom dragging along the floor. You don't want to tie them tightly, they should be fairly loose. This way they encourage the horse to lower its head and stop it from lifting it right up, but don't force.

Mine took a session to get used to working this way as he usually thinks lunging is a great excuse to stick his head in the air and career around like the wall of death for 20 mins
smirk.gif
However, now he's used to it, I find it's a nice way to get him to stretch along his topline. I lunge him over poles this way as well
smile.gif


You could also try long reining as then you have the outside rein to control the hindQs and outside shoulder.
 
I linge with the drawreins over the back as chestnutcob advises. It is fab because the horse cant come behind the verticle, it encourages them to stretch down and lift their stomach muscles therefore engaging them. I use it on my 4yr old and she has changed shape alot and looks stronger and well muscled for it
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Someone on another forum suggested doing it this way: run the rein from the bit, between horse's legs and up over the back, and tie them to stop them drom dragging along the floor. You don't want to tie them tightly, they should be fairly loose. [ QUOTE ]
Do you have a pic at all, CC as i'm being abit thick and can't visualise what you've described lol
smile.gif
x
 
if I had to chose one thing that was the simplest but most versatile....i'd chose side reins, can get lots from changing their length,
and they're dead simple,

smile.gif
 
If you fit the running reins correctly the horse should be able to stretch forward and down to strengthen the back without going in a flat outline. The pessoa again if fitted correctly will not hurt the horses mouth and can be very useful but there is nothing to stabilize the bend as everything is on pulleys which can be a disadvantage. The chambon can encourage the horse that carries it's head very high to lower it but the reward is total release so the horse doesn't look to take the contact forward and down - it stretches to evade the contact.
 
I'm a big fan of lunging in a chambon, it gives them complete freedom to stretch downwards and has helped really free up and loosen my mare's back and neck. She doesn't like anything which acts directly on her mouth like side reins and is much happier with the poll pressure of the chambon.
 
I've been using an EquiAmi which is like a pessoa but easier to put together. It encourages the horse to work long and low. You can read more about it on their website if you google equiami.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top