ColleenIsh
Well-Known Member
Just some opinions on what age is best to start basic lungeing or long reining ?
Answers on a postcard if you would be so kind
Answers on a postcard if you would be so kind
When to start work with a youngster ....
- Thread starter ColleenIsh
- Start date
henryhorn
Well-Known Member
We don't do anything like that until they are three, before that the splints always seem to appear if you do too much, and it seems pointless doing more than teaching them basic manners and halter breaking. There are loads of things you can do such as putting tack on etc , but so long as they are good for the farrier, load into the lorry and tie up it doesn't ultimately make much difference.
Some people do lots, others hardly anything. If time and effort are available I would choose a well handled obedient horse until three, then start formal lungeing with backing at three and a half or four.
By the time ours get sat on they have all been long reined, lunged, led out from another horse in full tack, and leaned over.
You will probably get earlier ages suggested by othes, but our horses tend to stay sound until old age...can they say the same about ridden two year olds?
Some people do lots, others hardly anything. If time and effort are available I would choose a well handled obedient horse until three, then start formal lungeing with backing at three and a half or four.
By the time ours get sat on they have all been long reined, lunged, led out from another horse in full tack, and leaned over.
You will probably get earlier ages suggested by othes, but our horses tend to stay sound until old age...can they say the same about ridden two year olds?
Fattie_Hattie
Well-Known Member
I would say 3 rising four to start lunging/long reining
Blizzard
Well-Known Member
I would say about 3yrs old. Of course it can depend on the horse though.
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
Youngsters should have basic manners, but not do much until at least 3 preferably 3 1/2 to 4years old.
I don't think it pays to do too much too young in terms of attitude and soundness.
S
I don't think it pays to do too much too young in terms of attitude and soundness.
S
Christmas_Kate
Well-Known Member
I'd say 3, and wouldnt be happy doing it any younger.
Their bones just aren't strong enough for the stresses of lungeing before this. I'd stick tack on them at this stage too. long rein, show lightly in hand, let them see all the sights. Turn away for the winter before being brought back in to back and do light work.
Their bones just aren't strong enough for the stresses of lungeing before this. I'd stick tack on them at this stage too. long rein, show lightly in hand, let them see all the sights. Turn away for the winter before being brought back in to back and do light work.
vic07
Well-Known Member
very dependent on horse.
I have started a 3 and a 1/4 yo (long reined and has done a couple of 15 minutes hacks - will probably leave him over winter) as he is so rude and mature and it was the easiest way to teach a few manners without upsetting or scaring him. would prefer to leave them to at least 3 and a 1/2. I feel it is better to get them out on short hacks at this stage rather than lunged or doing school work!
I have started a 3 and a 1/4 yo (long reined and has done a couple of 15 minutes hacks - will probably leave him over winter) as he is so rude and mature and it was the easiest way to teach a few manners without upsetting or scaring him. would prefer to leave them to at least 3 and a 1/2. I feel it is better to get them out on short hacks at this stage rather than lunged or doing school work!
volatis
Well-Known Member
We do some long reining with the 2yos that are being shown to help develop a little fitness and condition on them. We are lucky to be based on a large estate so can walk them round the fields and bridlepaths. My boss lunges the 2yos a little and the 3yos, but personally I like to leave lunging till they are 3 for the reasons stated above.
A lot depends on a horse's maturity, every horse is different. I have a 3yo filly I was going to back this year but she needs more time so although she has been bitted and done just 3 short lunging sessions, we have now put her in foal and she will be backed next year post weaning as a 4yo. My homebred 2yo is very mature so he will be lightly backed and sat on next year, and has already done a little long reining and loose jumping. He is now out 24/7 with some other youngsters but will be ready to be lightly started next year.
A lot depends on a horse's maturity, every horse is different. I have a 3yo filly I was going to back this year but she needs more time so although she has been bitted and done just 3 short lunging sessions, we have now put her in foal and she will be backed next year post weaning as a 4yo. My homebred 2yo is very mature so he will be lightly backed and sat on next year, and has already done a little long reining and loose jumping. He is now out 24/7 with some other youngsters but will be ready to be lightly started next year.
ColleenIsh
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone for your input on this .....
I think missy is quite mature for her age , she is only 17mths old , but phyiscally she isnt ready for lungeing i know , she is well mannered and as seen quite alot since we have had her, she travels well, ties up well, stands to be washed and groomed, feet picked up and trimmed by farrier, shes been bitted to a certain degree (in hand bridle) even had saddle cloth with surcingle on , everything but the actual breaking in prcoess of lungeing and long reining . So its more or less a waiting game for her to mature physically , was just wondering what else we could do with her to help this process with out rushing her .
I think missy is quite mature for her age , she is only 17mths old , but phyiscally she isnt ready for lungeing i know , she is well mannered and as seen quite alot since we have had her, she travels well, ties up well, stands to be washed and groomed, feet picked up and trimmed by farrier, shes been bitted to a certain degree (in hand bridle) even had saddle cloth with surcingle on , everything but the actual breaking in prcoess of lungeing and long reining . So its more or less a waiting game for her to mature physically , was just wondering what else we could do with her to help this process with out rushing her .