Lunging exercises?

ACCphotography · 01-12-2008, 05:36 PM

Can someone tell me what sort of exercises can be done on a lunge line besides the usual circles? I was thinking poles or things along that line? Is that a bad idea?

ACC

idlewild · 01-12-2008, 05:51 PM

Sure! Trot poles are wonderful!!!
You can set them either straight, or in a fan, so that on the inside of the trot poles they are closer together and on the outside they are further apart. Great for teaching the horse to change the length of stride.

You can also do spiraling in and out to help create carrying and thrusting power in the hindquarters. I like to do that a lot with my horse, doing transitions when the circle is smaller, larger, etc.

horseyfrk145 · 01-12-2008, 07:26 PM

I'm the same as Emily - I do that with my horse, I like to mix it up as well

IIIBarsV · 01-12-2008, 07:34 PM

I lunge over small jumps (crossrails), and also do a lot of speed control exercises, as well as framing up off a jiggle-lungeline cue. They don't seem to get that bored as long as I'm asking them to do something.

I don't lunge all that often actually. Couple times a month. (I'm lunging a lot right now in order to build up some muscle in a horse who's rehabbing).

ACCphotography · 01-12-2008, 07:43 PM

How do you deal with the standards on the cross rails?

ACC

idlewild · 01-12-2008, 07:47 PM

If I lunge over x-rails I like to use those blocks rather than standards, no chance of getting the line caught on the standard. Personally, I won't lunge over standards because of that.

Oh, and make sure NO side reins when lunging over jumps, I sure you know that, but just in case someone else is reading this and wondering about it

IIIBarsV · 01-12-2008, 07:53 PM

I use my barrel racing barrels. Lay them down on their sides and block them with sand. They're plastic and have no openings on them. I also lunge over them lined up flat end to end with the more experienced horses.

Yes, no side reins, and don't forget to make sure the lungeline is slack and you let it looser as they land so that you don't give them whiplash! lol

Rhythm 'n Blues · 01-14-2008, 12:13 PM

You can also always to the regular ol' lengthening and shortening of all strides and practise transitions.....like canter-walk, or canter-halt.....

I_Luv_Ponies · 01-14-2008, 12:25 PM

If all you have is standards cinder blocks or 5 gallon buckets are good to set poles up on.

AllAroundRdr · 01-14-2008, 12:29 PM

Cavaletti's are a cinch to make!

01-12-2008, 05:36 PM	#1
ACCphotography Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 15,113 Images: 1	Lunging exercises? Can someone tell me what sort of exercises can be done on a lunge line besides the usual circles? I was thinking poles or things along that line? Is that a bad idea? ACC

01-12-2008, 05:51 PM	#2
idlewild Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 6,685 Images: 423 Blog Entries: 171	Sure! Trot poles are wonderful!!! You can set them either straight, or in a fan, so that on the inside of the trot poles they are closer together and on the outside they are further apart. Great for teaching the horse to change the length of stride. You can also do spiraling in and out to help create carrying and thrusting power in the hindquarters. I like to do that a lot with my horse, doing transitions when the circle is smaller, larger, etc. __________________ Honorary Aussie, Oi! Feliche +Idlewild = Serial Eventers // Idlewild and I Love BODIE! are M&M This one time, at band camp....I will tell you, but it will cost ya. I was on HGS when we made 2 and 3 million posts, and takin a math test for 4

01-12-2008, 07:34 PM	#4
IIIBarsV Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,983 Images: 27	I lunge over small jumps (crossrails), and also do a lot of speed control exercises, as well as framing up off a jiggle-lungeline cue. They don't seem to get that bored as long as I'm asking them to do something. I don't lunge all that often actually. Couple times a month. (I'm lunging a lot right now in order to build up some muscle in a horse who's rehabbing). __________________ Three Bars The Fifth Jags Fleeting Rocket Wish I'd Get Lucky Chipped In Stone Zip Code Bay B Suns Eternal Flame

01-12-2008, 07:47 PM	#6
idlewild Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 6,685 Images: 423 Blog Entries: 171	If I lunge over x-rails I like to use those blocks rather than standards, no chance of getting the line caught on the standard. Personally, I won't lunge over standards because of that. Oh, and make sure NO side reins when lunging over jumps, I sure you know that, but just in case someone else is reading this and wondering about it __________________ Honorary Aussie, Oi! Feliche +Idlewild = Serial Eventers // Idlewild and I Love BODIE! are M&M This one time, at band camp....I will tell you, but it will cost ya. I was on HGS when we made 2 and 3 million posts, and takin a math test for 4

01-12-2008, 07:53 PM	#7
IIIBarsV Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,983 Images: 27	I use my barrel racing barrels. Lay them down on their sides and block them with sand. They're plastic and have no openings on them. I also lunge over them lined up flat end to end with the more experienced horses. Yes, no side reins, and don't forget to make sure the lungeline is slack and you let it looser as they land so that you don't give them whiplash! lol __________________ Three Bars The Fifth Jags Fleeting Rocket Wish I'd Get Lucky Chipped In Stone Zip Code Bay B Suns Eternal Flame

01-12-2008, 07:43 PM	#5
ACCphotography Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 15,113 Images: 1	How do you deal with the standards on the cross rails? ACC

01-14-2008, 12:13 PM	#8
Rhythm 'n Blues Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,903 Images: 193	You can also always to the regular ol' lengthening and shortening of all strides and practise transitions.....like canter-walk, or canter-halt..... __________________ Pay equal (if not more) attention to your own self carriage as that of your horse

01-14-2008, 12:25 PM	#9
I_Luv_Ponies Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Michigan. (Wait...where am I?!) Posts: 597 Images: 141 Blog Entries: 3	If all you have is standards cinder blocks or 5 gallon buckets are good to set poles up on. __________________ They say the hardest part of riding is the ground, that doesn't make the rest of it any easier. It is not enough for a man to know how to ride; he must know how to fall. ~Mexican Proverb

01-14-2008, 12:29 PM	#10
AllAroundRdr Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern CA - The Land of Fires & Shakey Ground Posts: 4,634 Images: 26	Cavaletti's are a cinch to make! __________________ People say riding isn't a sport...Well you see, the 'ball' I play with has a mind of its own. I've been Goosed..and I LIKED it!

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