What would you lunge this horse in?

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sfward

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5 year old mare, naturally on her forehand with a tendency to lean if given the opportunity, weak in canter. I have a pessoa, but have not been that impressed with it- the buckles undo themselves and I don't feel confident judging which setting is appropriate and how loose/tight it should be fitted. I'm a bit worried she will just lean on side reins. Up to now I've been using a mixture of pessoa, side reins or just loose with poles to get her using her shoulder. Should I persevere with the pessoa in which case could someone advise on the best setting and correct fitting? Or would something else be more appropriate. I need to encourage her to work over her back and take more weight behind so the front can lighten.
Thanks
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really? on the contrary I don't mind that answer at all, had just assumed lungeing would help, if not I won't bother!! thanks
 
They can't lean on a chambon so would be worth a try. Also do you lunge with two reins? ie long reining but staying on the circle which gives you more control over the outside shoulder and quarters. Might also be worth talking to kerilli about some tellington touch techniques to improve proprioception and therefore use of the back end. I'm no expert on this technique so won't try to describe it but have seen great results.
 
yes I do lunge with two reins as it happens, you're right she is better this way, but wasn't sure if it was the right option...!
i'm intrigued by the tellington touch techniques - I have absolutely no idea what proprioception is!!!
 
I tend to agree with Kerilli to be honest but if I were to lunge then I'd use raised trotting poles on a circle in a fan like shape and in just a head collar.
 
Proprioception is awareness of the body in particular what each limb is doing at any one time. Actually I think I meant Tellington Jones not touch and I thought Kerilli knew a bit about it but if not I'm sure someone does. There are various exercises with poles and some wrapping techniques using bandages.
 
yep, the tellington touch stuff is very good, but i'm a beginner at it, just bought the book and started working through the exercises. the bandaging thing (1 tail bandage round horse's neck, and another from there (interlinking behind wither) round bum, first over tail, later under) really worked for this mare... she halted perfectly square behind every time with the bandage on, not once without it, in hand.)
proprioception is knowing where your limbs are, basically... it's what lets you catch a ball without looking at your hand as you catch it, you just know your hand will be in the right place for it, for e.g.
with the horses it's case of tapping their hooves gently to let them know where they are, etc.
sorry, still a beginner on this...
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I love the chambon. if she tries to go on the forehand she'll fall on her nose. Work within trot getting her to lengthen and shorten her strides with the same rhythm, she'll find it really tiring and it will help strengthen her for the ridden work.
 
Sounds really interesting. I just had a quick look at her website. Have to confess the thought of working my horse with a tail bandage round her neck did make me giggle a bit!! thankfully I'm now on a yard which is more open to alternative ideas than my previous one... my dad would have a fit lol!!
 
I have a chambon, but I was under the impression they were good for helping a horse work long and low, whereas i want to encourage her to do the opposite?
 
They should encourage the horse to step through and engage the hind end & do that by effectively working them in a farily low outline. They do make them swing along though and help establish a rhythm.
 
the bandaging stuff is deffo worth a go for 10 mins in hand. i don't think i'm brave enough to ride in them, having had an incident riding and leading where led horse suddenly crossed behind ridden horse, who promptly clamped his tail down on the rope and had a bucking fit... appara the TT people ride out with the bandages on too though.
the TT puzzle (2 interlocking U shapes of 3 10m poles each, to lead horse through v. slowly at walk) is also very good, if only so you can work out if your horse is clever or thick!
 
I would be using two lunge reins and a roller with terrets on the top hole (they normally have three sets from top which is roughly where your hands would be to bottom like side reins) and do continental style lungeing.
You can use the outside rein as you would when riding and it's a really good method to use, not only do you get to see exactly where the problems are, but you can see what fixes it too!
 
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