[Jenje!]

Anybody fights and I tapes yous to the wall. True story.

Secondary question: do you ground-drive before you lunge?

I finally found a pony-sized surcingle for Allure today, bwahah... haven't bought it yet, but will soon. Also found a FANTASTIC saddle pad to buy and put in the closet for her. Anyway - was making plans for her today and wondered what everyone else does.

[kellidahorsegirl]

What kind of tape


and what do you mean "when"? Like how old for the horse OR when I feel they're being idiots?

and just to answer....how old,,,who knows HAHA but I don't really ever lunge to get energy out. Once in a blue moon I will depending on the horse, but for the most part I just ride it out cuz its fun (yes I'm nuts).
I mostly lunge for exercise and conditioning.

[Jenje!]

Read the poll Kelli, GEEZUS.



Double-stick.

Anyway. *cough* I do that too, though Allure has run into a couple of instances so far where she found herself doing 2-3 quick circles to each side when she just couldn't contain her ninja urges.

That's not what I'm asking about... I mean actual lunging.

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

I don't like to start till at least 2.5yrs of age, but I have started as early as 2y/o.

I like to let them grow up as much as possible before starting anything. I like to back them around 3yrs of age or later, so it shouldn't take me more than 6months of lunging 2-4x/week to acheive all that I want before backing. (I'm pretty picky in what I want done before backing )

[kellidahorsegirl]

hee hee, the poll wasn't there when I posted ANd then I saw there was a poll just now....and yep, sure enough, question answered HAHA
I started 2 colts....and one was 3...so she lunged as a 3 year old...never did lunge the 2 year old, just round pen.

I'd prolly wait til late 2 or early 3 to lunge...just cuz I don't much like lunging any horse cuz circles are soooo darned exciting haha...and the wear on the joints isn't terribly good.

[marybear06]

Well, I've personally never started a horse on a lunge but I hope to show my future horses in Yearling lungline classes so...*shrug* Right before they turn one I guess.

[Dicey]

I started teaching my little guy to lunge at about 1.5 years. He needed it *mentally*, but I always kept it to 15 minutes or less for a total session. And I did it maybe 2-4 times a month. And I usually teach them to lunge, then go on to ground driving.

[IIIBarsV]

I start lunging a bit when they're yearlings. Weanlings get leading skills and lunging at a walk and jog on the leadrope, but that's about it.
They don't get lunged consistantly (once or twice a month during the summer), or with tack until they're entering under saddle training at late 2 to 3 yrs old.
Once they're cool with the rope and giving to pressure on the lunge line w/t/c, I introduce ground driving, again, when they're entering into under saddle training.

But usually we don't do much aside from leading (showmanship skills) and general handling of their feet, clippers and spray bottles until they're 2 and a half or entering into their 3 yr old year.

Sometimes I'll pony a yearling or early 2 yr old with their "King", my main riding horse, but only if they're fairly comfortable with him and with leading and won't try to mess around or bite my legs. lol

Even so, when they're in under saddle training, we don't over ride them. We get basic w/t/c and other slow-speed basics whether they're barrel or performance prospects, and haul them out to local shows as much as we can, ride them around and maybe enter a junior pleasure class or two. They don't really enter into heavier competition until they're 4.

Our performance horses we take our time with in developing collection, movement, and other typical show horse things. They are usually fully trained and safe for anyone to ride and consistent in the show pen by age 5.

We're luckier with the Junior barrel/pole horses- they don't have to be running full out until they're 4 or 5, unlike the 2 and 3 yr old snaffle bit futurity horses.

I saw a yearling coming 2 yr old who's already started under saddle. She still looks like a baby.

I also saw a 2 coming 3 yr old who's already well started under saddle. But it's my belief she'll be broken down and sore by age 5 unless the owners get her truly horrific feet fixed up. Major flaring issues, underslung heels and overgrown. Shod all around.

I looked at my 2 turning 3 yr old's feet tonight. Smooth as glass and natural bevel edge all the way around, short, tough heels, huge frog. Only a little overgrown. He moves beautifully. He's never had shoes and has only had about three trims this year because he's a real pain in the butt when strangers (the farrier) is around. To put shoes on him would be dumb.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around why a 2 yr old or younger "needs" to have shoes all the way around. What's the point??? Is it about fashion? Will they not win their class if they don't have shoes on? It's not like they need the traction, they're loping like .0005 miles per hour. I just don't get what the thought is behind the shoes on the 2 yr old.

[Xiphias]

I wait till they are 2, and only light lunging, no tight circles either, I usually introduce the bit, and circingle at that time, if I have not already done so, fooling around in their stalls, or the cross ties...once I get them to listen to me lunging, I go right into ground driving....Cathy

[myhorsethunder6]

Patches is a yearling and when i work with him i usually do 2-3 minuts lunging mostly one way just to get him going. =~]
Britt