Working correctly on lunge with no surcingle - German string?

[js1006]

I'm looking for some advice & support on getting my boy to work correctly on the lunge without anything around his girth.

Background: Diagnosed with KS (5 touching), had the ligament snip surgery in March. Previously treated for ulcers, now thought to be caused by the KS pain.
The surgery clearly helped as he was immediately much happier in the stable. Over a slow rehab lunging and long reining we built up to riding in walk in straight lines for 5-10 minutes, the initial symptoms had disappeared at this point.
After riding about 6 times (over about a month) the reluctance to be girthed returned over a couple of days. I immediately stopped riding and had back checked (tight but normal) but continued lunging as important to keep his core stable. Within a week he also responded to the surcingle. Vet was called and he was put on ulcer medication again, no response was seen to palpitation of his back. Ulcers assumed due to stress of a move and new grazing. This was 10 weeks ago and ulcers cleared. He has been worked once a week for 5 minutes to monitor changes. Still very unhappy about anything around his girth, but no reluctance if no surcingle. Happy in himself when out 24/7 and performs carrot stretches happily.

I'm 90% sure this isn't behavioural and have spoken to my vet about other possible issues. They have performed quick lameness checks and seen him work on the lunge but say they can't go any further without him being in work, as this seems to be what is causing the issues. In case it is behavioural we are also working on regularly placing the surcingle on and removing after a minute or so.
So, I need to work him to get this looked into, but also to stabilise his back enough for him to be happy in the stable overnight once 24/7 turnout ends. However I can't get him to stretch over his back on a single lunge line, nor can I use a pessosa (vet recommendation) or long line (he used to be great at this) due to the belly issue. 24/7 turnout over winter isn't an option unfortunately.

Has anyone got experience of the 'German string'? It claims to help them stretch with nothing on their belly so I'm going to try it this weekend. Other girthless ideas for ways to strengthen his back would also be gratefully received!

 

[Birker2020]

It might be worth while getting a thick anti chafe fleece girth cover and see if that makes a difference. Some thin skinned horses can be very sensitive around their girth area.

Haven't any experience of german string myself.

I would also see if you can get a physio to show you some stretching exercises to do on the ground, like carrot stretches - if this is suitable for your horse. Stretches help to strengthen the core muscles. I'd also stick him on some pink powder supplement which might make a difference.

On ebay there is something called a Harrys Horse lunge aid which says "The Harry's Horse Lunging aid gently encourages the horse to work long & low. Lengthening their stride and stretching over their back. This product is great for building up topline, encouraging self carriage, creating a soft, willing and supple horse. It's easy to use, no fiddling with rollers. Just put the rope over the horses back, pass each side between the legs, clip onto the bit & go!" Is around £25 but you could probably make one yourself a lot cheaper.

 

[ihatework]

If you drape a set of drawreins over the horses back, then feed the free ends through the forelimbs and clip to bit. You can shorten/tighten the set up by knotting the draw reins just behind the wither.

It’s a reasonably easy way to encourage the horse to lower their neck, and whilst I wouldn’t go as far to say it’s ‘correct lunging’ it may be a useful way for you to try and achieve what you need at this point in time.

Unfortunately though from what you are saying the op hasn’t worked

 

[sbloom]

Personally I would see if you can find a classical in hand trainer to work with, I don't like any of the gadgets with the possible exception of the chambon. arr.de are a fascinating rehab organisation, they lunge intensively to straighten horses and use no gadgets at all. Herr Schoneich comes to north Wales twice a year.

Otherwise, for KS, I would look at straightnesstraining.com or something similar (Peter Dove has an inhand training package for instance) as this will strengthen the back with or without lunging and definitely no gadgets.

 

[js1006]

Thanks for the replies ad suggestions, from the description the Harry horse and draw rein aids are the same thing as the German string. I was going to fashion my own out of some line and clips. Hopefully this works for us!
The physio has given us exercises to do, they just don't seem to be enough at the moment. I've looked into straightness training in the past, I'll have another go though.

Unfortunately Ihatework, my heart also tells me that the operation was not successful. I am trying everything else I can though, as the alternative is not great.

 

[Red-1]

You can lunge on 2 reins without anything on the girth.

The other thing you can do is a bit of clicker training to train them to stretch down when lungeing. In fact my current horse has never clicker trained but obviously knows what "good girl" is, followed by a walk. She is almost comical as to how she stretched for her "good girl" nowadays!