working over his back

[Horsekaren]

I have posted previously about lunging gadgets and i know a lot of people said they shouldn't be needed if you have lessons on lunging properly. I have tried side reins and a bungee and i'm not really a fan. I've taken all away, given him a month off any lunging and eureka we have got it! he is working over his back, stretching down and pushing off with his hind in just a bridle
I've lunged him 4 times over the last few weeks and he has got it every time, 5 mins to figure it out and then lifts his back the entire time.

A lot of you will know we do struggle with this when riding as he just wants to pull himself along (it's getting better) we have had a few mins of trotting on a long rein, stretching down the last few rides

My question is- as he has got the hang of it when lunging how many times would you do this a week? will it help strengthen his muscles so he may start to find it easier when riding? or are they both completely separate? I dont want to bore him going round and round but i wonder if this could really help him build the correct muscles.
A bit of a thinking out loud post

 

[Cortez]

Yes, any work where the muscles are working correctly will benefit all the other work too. I still lunge my advanced horses a couple of times a week, and it is pretty much essential for remedial and young horses. I wouldn't worry about boredom; horses are not the ones that get bored with repetitive work (that's how they learn), it's owners who say they are "bored" with circles or whatever. Yes, you can overdo it, so try not to lunge every day, or for longer than 20 mins.

 

[OldieButGoodie]

I've been lunging my horse about 3 or 4 times a week to try and encourage him to use his back more (he also likes to pull himself along!). What I do is add poles to the mix - so I have 3 poles on a semi circle raised slightly at one end and 4 poles raised at one end on a straight. Also a random pole raised quite high at one end which he can jump over in canter (if I ask him to). I firstly walk him in hand over the single raised pole in a small circle each way about 10 times - this encourages him to lift his knees and hocks and step under himself. He is rewarded with a treat at the end which helps focus his brain (he lives for treats). He is then lunged over the other poles in trot. He will do this happily in a headcollar & lunge line. The difference this has made is amazing. He went from shuffling about and knocking poles all over the place to what can only be described as 'levitation'!

 

[flying_high]

I think lunging is experimentation with horses, gadgets and poles to see what works to improve the horses way of moving.

I have been lunging in de gogue. Never heard of one, mildly horrified when rehab trainer suggested it, but actually set long enough, it is great.

I also use the equicore / therabands. And Kinesology tape places according to issues.

And poles on floor / raised for trot and canter depending on what trying to achieve.

I think it is looking at horse - neck back legs, core etc. and seeing what effect you are getting.

I have equi-ami, pessoa, kavalkade, side reins, equicore therabands, de -gogue - all have a place, depending on how horse moves, and what issues are, IMO

All can be very harmful if not used at the right time / right length / for right reason.

Developing the eye to see what works / doesn't work / benefits / doesn't benefit is key.

It isn't about nose in with gadget; it is above back up, hind legs stepping under, back swinging, freedom to move well and in relaxation, and neck down or up according to what working for at that point.