would you lunge a 3 year old in side reins?

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joanne1920

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my instructor has advised me to, so that my cob seeks a contact. but when i put them on how she had adjusted them, they pulled his head in and when i started to lunge him, he kept playing with the bit and them, then just kept raising his head to avoid them. i dont think he needs them? but what benefit do they do apart from getting him used to a contact (quite tight contact from the way they were adjusted) Instrctor says if Mickey is walking and trotting forward and not being lazy then they will not be tight?? he can be ridden at walk and trot and has no issues with his mouth at present and i dont want to ruin his mouth... ideas please? Havent used side reins before...

thanks
xx
 
umm, if he's happy to lunge nicely anyway, the most i would do is use just the inside one... i know this sounds a bit mad, but my (classical, trains to Grand Prix) trainer starts all his youngsters with just the inside side rein, quite long, not restrictive, just enough to get a bit of inside bend, give the horse the idea of seeking the inside hand contact. two side reins can make them go up/invert to avoid them, whereas one side rein isn't asking so much... it's only saying "bend round a bit", so they understand it better and don't feel the need to fight it. once he gets the hand of that, try two, but make sure they're long enough. inside one slightly shorter than the outside (only about 2 holes shorter) but they should only take a light contact if he pokes his nose too much, any shorter and they're too restrictive for a baby horse. use loops of twine from the girth or roller to make them longer, if necessary. hope that helps.
 
I lunged my youngster 9yrs ago in them,lol,now 12,just enough contact so he could feel the bit,he didnt object at all and he is no worse for the experience!I see no harm in it providing the horse in question is developed enough to wear them!!
 
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