Lunging a dressage horse, any tips?

[sneederstb]

I have a 9 year old tb gelding and we are in training for dressage. Unfortunately, bc of my job, I can't get out there all the time and have enough time to ride, however, sometimes, lunging is my only option. I am trying to build his hind up and was wondering if anyone has any tricks with lunging or lunging excersizes that help do that. Thank you!

[InsideLeg2OutsideRein]

My $0.02. Especially if his hind isn't very strong yet, don't over lunge. No more than 10-15 min at trot/canter, with very frequent transitions and direction changes, keep circles as large as possible, do a loooong walk warm up and cool down. Lunge for part of the time over ground poles or cavaletti, or even a little jump.

[sneederstb]

also, time frame wise, when would some suggest to increase the intensity of the workout if the horse is doing well?

[goeslikestink]

look here http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=178116
go to the bottom and thre lungeing sites to help you

[GallantGesture]

We've been doing lots of lunging this winter with all the horses in the barn. It is a great way to keep them fit (and sane!) when lots of people don't have as much time to ride. There is also a lot of training you can do on the lunge, assuming you "work" on the lunge like you do under saddle- set goals and come up with specific exercises to work towards those goals... no letting the horse run in mindless circles!

We use side reins or other set ups with a surcingle depending on the horse. Lunging over poles is a great idea. Depending on your horse's training/fitness level, you can work on transitions, half-halts, transitions within gaits (lengthen and shorten the trot, or if he's a greenie, see if you can even speed it up and slow it down), or spiral in and out changing the size of the circle.

Lunging is hard work for the horses and it doesn't take long to wear them out. If the horse is relatively fit, you may do about 10 minutes each direction of trot. In that, do some transitions to canter and back to trot, as well as walk and back to trot. The trot should be forward and the horse should go into the contact on the bit, not just jogging along with side reins so long he doesn't know they are there. Before and after do a normal warm up and cool down. For a horse that's not as strong or fit, start off with less, listen to the horse to tell you how much he can handle. It's better to build them up slowly than to over do it.

[Nibs]

If your horse is well trained, I'd recommend free lunging it. usually 20 minutes does the trick.

I also strongly recommend the pessoa lunging system.

Free lunging a horse is much easier on their joints and encourages them to use their brains and pay attention to you.

As a plus, if you are in a huury while riding, you can take off your tack and put it away while your horse cools itself out. Horses quickly get the idea to simply continue circling the ring when left loose in there, lol!!!

[sid]

I would not recommend lunging as a substitute for riding/"excercise" -- not if you want to keep your horse sound for a lifetime.

Lunging is for "training" and should be done in very short sessions to teach obedience in the transitions, how to respond to "foward", halting, learning balance, etc. That's all.

Running a horse around in a small circle (in relation to the size of the object running around it) for any length of time can cause excessive wear on joints if not done judiciously and is done too frequently. It really teaches nothing...just tires them out and is physically so demanding on the joints of the lower leg.

If you insist on that as a substitute for exercise then learn how to work a horse "in hand"...down the long side, over cavaletti...big loopy and oval circles using the entire arena. Brain exercise without the physical over-doing.

Constant torque is not a good thing, really. Esp. for younger warmbloods...under the age of 5.

Pick up Reiner Klimke's age-old book...Training the Young Horse. That can help you a lot about how to advance training "in the school", when you can't actually ride.

[lizathenag]

I toss on the tack and jump on. I don't spend time grooming and I get to ride my horse. I need the time in the saddle even if it is for 15 minutes and a ride up and down the road at sunset. thank goodness the days are getting longer.

[MelantheLLC]

Lots of transitions, both between gaits and within gaits.

Change direction often.

[saultgirl]

I have a 9 year old tb gelding and we are in training for dressage. Unfortunately, bc of my job, I can't get out there all the time and have enough time to ride, however, sometimes, lunging is my only option. I am trying to build his hind up and was wondering if anyone has any tricks with lunging or lunging excersizes that help do that. Thank you!

I like to balance out a lunging session by throwing in some halts with periods of standing still (30-60 seconds or so) and I also teach backing up by voice command. Very basic obedience but it can break things up for a horse who wants to rush around in circles.

[merrygoround]

I toss on the tack and jump on. I don't spend time grooming and I get to ride my horse. I need the time in the saddle even if it is for 15 minutes and a ride up and down the road at sunset. thank goodness the days are getting longer.

They may be getting longer, but in my backyard, they're gettin cloudier, and COLDER. :cry:
:cry: That's as close as I can find an icon for :whine: :)

even longeing is a challenge when it gets THIS cold.

[slc2]

I agree with sid. Longeing is not a healthy form of exercise, there is too much turning. Jog or walk with your horse on straight lines, turn him out in a paddock or pasture, walk him up and down hills, get him swimming, or put him on a Eurociser with straight lanes, take him out for a gallop on suitable footing.

Longeing is much more wear and tear if the horse is allowed to torque around, leap, buck and scramble, especially when he's off balance. It is not a good way to wear a horse down when it's fresh. I've seen very, very few people who were able to teach the horse to play in a safe way on the longe line, or who changed direction often enough to reduce wear and tear on the horse's legs.