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Conference noted::equitation

Title:	Equine Notes Conference
Notice:	Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:	MTADMS::COBURNIO

Created:	Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:	Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2080
Total number of notes:	22383

938.0. "Lunging, What to use,When?" by USMFG::NROSTANZO () Wed May 10 1989 15:11

    
    I have just begun working with a 4 yr. old Arab gelding, of which
    he has built a bad reputation for being, I would say unknowing/young
    they say not predictable.   Well I have some questions, I have lunged
    in the past and started a horse that had never lunged prior, I know
    the basics.  
    
    What is best rule for lunging, for a 4 yr old, without doing any
    damage to a still growing youngster from excessive lunging.  Is
    a longline a good idea? used with a cavason?  I lunged him with
    the cavason and he was not very responsive (he didn't feel my tugs,
    he just keep going)  He knows the basics and he cannot fool with
    that one, I switched to a halter (leather, which seems too large
    as any arab owner knows) with the chain over his nose (he's a bit
    head shy to try it over his head just yet) and he responded well
    since he felt the tugs when he didn't listen.  
    
    How soon should I work/try him with a bit?  How soon can he be sat
    on/leaned on?  How long after can he be ridden after he is ok sat
    on etc.... I realise arabs develop/mature slower, should he be 5
    before he's ridden?  How much lunging is good before working the
    riding/bit work?  I don't want to overwork the lunging, but do need
    him to work balance and transitions.  
    
    Any good books on the subject?   
    
    Nancy

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
938.1		DYO780::AXTELL	Dragon Lady	`Wed May 10 1989 16:45`	15
	I'd use a bridle, surcingle and side reins (adjusted loosely at first). You can either free lunge him or add a cavesson and a line to do conventional lunging. The cavesson is put on over the bridle, but with the cheek pieces of the bridle outside the tightened noseband. If you have to, you can go without the cavesson and run the line through one side of the bit-up over his head-and attached to the other side of the bit. Under no circumstances should you work directly off the bit. It is for the horse to evade/ignore you with only a cavesson or a halter. I like to free lunge my young horses. Going around in a circle can be hard on their legs. If you have to use a line, keep the circle large and the pace slow - mostly a walk and trot.
938.2	y	USMFG::NROSTANZO		`Wed May 10 1989 17:21`	24
	Kiirja, I did read 655 and 467 THANKS! but, I think by the reply .1 I may try with the side reins and see if it goes a bit better. He was very well behaved his first time out, I'm not sure how far his last trainer got but I heard some horror stories about him. One had to do with water... a broken nose etc... but I'll cross that bridge on a warm day with some help from a friend at the stable.... His sire is a champion (not sure of any titles etc) dressage horse so I hope he has some of the qualities, though he's seems to look an awful lot like mom! Anyway... when do bits come to play? Should I get him longing with side reins first? He may have even had a bit in. What about the work on his back??? when??? I don't think he would be that bad I've leaned on him and he doesn't shy, but who knows... that's not quite what I'd call sitting on him. .1 - when you say to keep the cheek pieces outside the tightened noseband, is that above the nose band? not below? then I use the side reins on his halter? I've never used both, halter and cavesson, is this when you have both with a bit on? Nancy --
938.3		DYO780::AXTELL	Dragon Lady	`Wed May 10 1989 17:51`	28
	I think you're a little confused. A cavesson is used with a bridle (i.e. with a bit) not a halter. Essentially, the cavesson replaces the halter. He's probably had a bit in his mouth before, and if not, it's not that traumatic for a horse to be bitted for the first time - as long as you don't go yanking on the bit and hurting his mouth. The side reins attached to the surcingle, or girth if you use a saddle and the bit. They act as you hands would if you were riding him. The cavesson gives you something to attach the line to besides the bit. The basic idea is that you have control of the critter while he figures out what the bit is all about. A video might help more than a book - this is easy to do but hard to explain! I don't think I'd ride him just yet. You need to establish both disciplne and confidence - and you might need to undo some bad habits he learned from his previous trainer. No sense getting your own nose broke unnecessarily! And no sense scaring the bejebbers out of the horse either. Good luck, -maureen
938.4	OOps, Now to get his equipment!	USMFG::NROSTANZO		`Wed May 10 1989 18:04`	16
	maureen, Opps... I wasn't paying much attention.. doing 3 things at once here... I actually have a few helping hands there at the stable. I do realize I need to again talk with the owner to get her equipment, I don't have a bridle for him, or a saddle, she has a few. I'd rather get him back to where he was before and keep working his confidence.. he needs that.. he's been left alone for some time (a year or so). Can you recommend a video? I have been told that using a long line is like having two left thumbs till you do it a few times. Maybe I should practice this a few times with a horse that is ok with it before I try Phil.
938.5		DYO780::AXTELL	Dragon Lady	`Wed May 10 1989 18:08`	4
	The two left thumbs is a PERFECT description! Especially if you add a lunge whip :>)
938.6	oh no! a monster!!!	USMFG::NROSTANZO		`Thu May 11 1989 13:50`	10
	He went well again last night, tonight is his night off! I need to spend alot of time taking him out and around, he's not very settled, he thinks everything is a MONSTER trying to get him! After a lesson well spent last night I asked him to change direction and he did well. I just hope we get some sunshine soon! Its much more interesting outdoors. :^)