lunging

XtaraX · 05-08-2008, 02:47 AM

Hi all hope you can help, my horse has been out of work for a while now through having laminitis, she has fully recovered now and i want to get back in the saddle, she has put on weight through no exercise and i was thinking of lunging her to get her fit again ready for the summer but don't really know what I'm doing, if anyone has any tips i would really appreciate it.

StarfireArizona · 05-08-2008, 05:43 AM

You could try lunging her on a line & asking her to trot for 5 minutes each way, but letting her walk for maybe a minute or so half way through & changing direction. You could possibly increase the time each way a minute or so every 2-3 sessions until she is fit to trot 10 minutes each way.

This is what I am doing with my mare after foaling last year & a long wet muddy winter. She is too plump & needs exercise

JBandRio · 05-08-2008, 05:58 AM

Are you SURE she is fully recovered? How bad was the laminitis, what do her feet look like now? Just not being sore anymore doesn't mean "fully recovered", as you can still be dealing with the weakened lamina growing down. If that is the case, I would not be lunging her - too much torque on a weak connection.

kat399 · 05-08-2008, 06:04 AM

Make sure that she is well recovered, perharps ask the vet what exercise he/she recommends. Lunging isn't an easy thing to do, especially if your horse doesn't have a lot of experience doing it. I would suggest getting some lunging lessons.

Make sure to keep her on a large circle, lunging in small circles is very hard on the joints. Trot work will get her fit faster than canter.

XtaraX · 05-14-2008, 02:42 AM

ive tried the lunging myself and got no where, so im taking her to my local school so someone that knows what they're doing can have a go. my vet and farrier gave her the all clear from the laminitis about 3 months ago, and said to begin by doing very light work with her and not to rush into anything, since then i began to take her for short walks each day on soft ground but not riding, but she's just not shifting the weight

Showrider · 05-14-2008, 02:51 AM

I would say get some professional face-to-face help with learning how to lunge. To an extent HGS members can help but you really need someone there to be hand on.

Good luck.

SR

05-08-2008, 02:47 AM	#1
XtaraX Full Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: devon (england) Posts: 26 Images: 8	lunging Hi all hope you can help, my horse has been out of work for a while now through having laminitis, she has fully recovered now and i want to get back in the saddle, she has put on weight through no exercise and i was thinking of lunging her to get her fit again ready for the summer but don't really know what I'm doing, if anyone has any tips i would really appreciate it.

05-08-2008, 05:43 AM	#2
StarfireArizona Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arizona Desert Posts: 725 Images: 31	You could try lunging her on a line & asking her to trot for 5 minutes each way, but letting her walk for maybe a minute or so half way through & changing direction. You could possibly increase the time each way a minute or so every 2-3 sessions until she is fit to trot 10 minutes each way. This is what I am doing with my mare after foaling last year & a long wet muddy winter. She is too plump & needs exercise __________________ Horses of a different color - Shiloh, Desert Ghost, Valentino & Rusty

05-08-2008, 05:58 AM	#3
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 22,472 Images: 138 Blog Entries: 12	Are you SURE she is fully recovered? How bad was the laminitis, what do her feet look like now? Just not being sore anymore doesn't mean "fully recovered", as you can still be dealing with the weakened lamina growing down. If that is the case, I would not be lunging her - too much torque on a weak connection. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

05-08-2008, 06:04 AM	#4
kat399 Full Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NB Canada Posts: 63 Images: 3	Make sure that she is well recovered, perharps ask the vet what exercise he/she recommends. Lunging isn't an easy thing to do, especially if your horse doesn't have a lot of experience doing it. I would suggest getting some lunging lessons. Make sure to keep her on a large circle, lunging in small circles is very hard on the joints. Trot work will get her fit faster than canter. __________________ Fancy, Dapple Grey 1981 ArabX Pony. Abby, Brown 2005 Shetland X Pony.

05-14-2008, 02:51 AM	#6
Showrider Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Down Unda, Mate! Posts: 1,284 Images: 79	I would say get some professional face-to-face help with learning how to lunge. To an extent HGS members can help but you really need someone there to be hand on. Good luck. SR __________________ Against Slaughter. For responsible breeding.

05-14-2008, 02:42 AM	#5
XtaraX Full Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: devon (england) Posts: 26 Images: 8	ive tried the lunging myself and got no where, so im taking her to my local school so someone that knows what they're doing can have a go. my vet and farrier gave her the all clear from the laminitis about 3 months ago, and said to begin by doing very light work with her and not to rush into anything, since then i began to take her for short walks each day on soft ground but not riding, but she's just not shifting the weight

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