 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
   
Location: SW North Dakota | draftmare - 2016-11-21 8:44 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-11-17 4:00 PM Bear - 2016-11-16 10:11 AM I've learned that proper lunging can be a very valuable conditioning and training tool. If all you do is stand with a whip and drive the horse around in a circle, then it's just like a hot-walker or loping circles. If you really want to make the most out of your time, lunging can be physically demanding to both you and your horse. Besides conditioning, you can teach collection and balance in small circles and larger ones, plus it teaches a youngster especially how to use themselves. They learn to listen to you real well on a lunge line, and that becomes a good habit. Lunging with collection can really help to develop the top line and head set. We use something called the "balanced training system" which employs a surcingle, bungee lines, a halter, head stall/bit, etc.... It's also good conditioning for YOU, if you are doing it right. Here's what I'm talking about: http://www.unitedvetequine.com/horse-training/Balance-Training-Syst... When it's cold, snowy and icy, I use the BTS in our calving barn and in 32 minutes 3x a week, mine will stay muscled up and strong...
I would not recommend one of the Pessoa lunging systems (or any of the knock offs ). It essentially punishes the horse in the mouth every time their hind leg is back behind them.  I would also not recommend that anybody lunge in side reins unless you are shown how to properly use them by a qualified trainer. Personally, I don't lunge but once in a blue moon. It is hard on their joints to go at speed in a small circle for very long, and it also makes your horse more fit while you are less so. I always roll my eyes at people who say they need to lunge the crazy out of their horse before getting on, when lunging is pretty counterproductive to that end. |
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