Would you lunge an old pony?

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indiat

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Hi all,

We were very kindly given an old pony by my YO for my daughter to ride on. She was retired from the riding school as she didn't settle into it well and turned quite sour. Number one daughter and herself are getting on very well but because I don't drive its very very difficult for my daughter to get up to her after school. Its easier for me to go up during the day and do all the chores. The problem is the pony's weight - she's a really good doer, being a dartmoor, and she is carrying more than I would like to see. Walking her up and down the bridlepath isn't cutting it and I would like to lunge her. She has no joint problems and has just been seen by a phsyio, so her back is fine. But she is between 20 to 30 years old (no one is quite sure). Perhaps I would be better off learning to long rein her? She is on restricted graing and literally only gets two handfuls of chaff to get her supplements into her (enough to cover the bottom of a feed bowl).

Ta in advance!
 
Personally I wouldnt lunge her if shes fairly old, it could create problems as its quite strenuous on joints, etc, I would prefer to handwalk her out and about if thats possible. Or could you ride her if shes big enough? Your idea of long reining sounds a good possibility too.
 
Thanks! I am too big to get on her (I think she would buck me off if I tried!) and I am handwalking her, but she's such a good doer it doesn't seem to make much difference. Time to learn to long rein I think! Oh and learn to drive of course.
 
TBH done steadily and correctly like you would any horse, I wouldn't have a problem lunging an older horse that is in proper work.

If you want to work it to make it loose some weight you are going to having to put him on a circle on the long reins anyway. I'd recommend learning to long rein anyway, it's a good skill and fun, but don't write off lunging. Mak the circles big and don't go too fast, if you're pony's in work and sound and you're on a surface you'll be fine.

If the weight is a problem have you considered a grazing muzzle? I know you said he's restricted, but maybe you need to go further? We've had to with some of ours.
 
Ehmm, this is just a thought, and I'm maybe a bit off the wall here, BUT had you thought of breaking her to harness? Someone has already suggested long-reining, which is the pre-requisite to driving ...... I suggest this as I've a friend who drives her Dartmoor (so did my grandmother when she was a girl!!), and increasingly people are using Dartmoor's for driving as well as riding, especially if they're getting a bit weighty and/or need an alternative use. .

If you were gonna do it, personally I'd start her off long-reining, but at an early stage it might be best to either get someone who's an experienced carriage-driver to help you, OR send her away. Anyway just a thought! It might not cost as much as you think PLUS you could have a lot of fun too. My friend started driving a few years ago, and her OH then decided you might as well join em as beat em, and now he's going for it too.

British Driving Society and Horse Trials Driving Association (sorry don't have website details) would be the best people to ask. I have some contacts in the Devon area if you're interested.
 
if she is sound and perky then I would lunge with walking out in between days. I have a 16yo exmoor that came to me hugely obese-he would be blowing with 10mins walk in hand! so I lunged him in walk-good marching walk, poles at walk to keep it interesting and get him using himself. When I led him out in hand I would walk so fast he had to jog to keep up! one year on, building up trot work on lunge and he's at a weight and fitness where he hacks out regularly with me on top. getting them to walk one circle and then trot one circle altenrately does wonders for the fitness levels.
 
I agree with galaxy. As long as you keep the circle quite large and keep it steady, it should be fine. My old girl (34) is still lunged gently once a week but she's been lunged all her life so her muscles/joints are used to it. And it is done very carefully. Interestingly enough we tried long reining our little welshie when we first got him as we wanted to build his back end muscles a little (he locked his stifle a couple of times in the field). And it actually made him 'lock up' badly so we stopped. It was done by someone very experienced who I totally trust, it just didn't suit him. I guess they all have their quirks. We've had him 10 years now and he's only done it once very slightly since, but he's now much stronger behind due to proper schooling and lunging.
I'm sure you will have fun playing around over the summer with different techniques and will discover what works for you.
 
I had this with one of mine when he was in his late 20s.

In the end I felt that the need to keep one step ahead of laminitis outweighed my other concerns. We kept going with specially adapted lunging, lots of big, big circles and then long straight lines with me running. No more than 3 times a week and short periods only when the going allowed. During the long walking periods it was always a strong walk with him really covering the ground.

Now 35 he is long reined only, up to an hour 3 times a week. The intention is 30mins but he is an opinionated pony and will not turn for home until he is ready (or tricked/bribed/begged!). We go at a fair pace too, walk trot and canter (canter is his idea mind).

If you have the time then long reining would be an excellent option and would keep you fit as a flea too:cool:.
 
My oldest pony is 26, she is still lunged. I only lunge her once a week as a rule, keep it steady and keep the circle big, also I don't lunge her for as long as I would my younger ponies. But a little bit doesn't seem to be doing her any harm.
 
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