(tried to post this one and doesn't seem to have wored so I apologise if 
appears twice! lol)

As I said I'm very inexperienced around very young horses. before this yard 
then I had little to do with anything under 4-5 yrs old so I'm on a real 
learning curve.

I like to get a variety of opinions and view points on any new subject so...

What would people do with a youngest 12 months or less? If they would take 
them to a couple of shows what type and what would they be looking to get 
out of it for the horse?

What do people think of rugging horses to encourage their summer coats to 
come through earlier?

What would people do with a 3 yr old IDx?

How would people introduce jumps to a young horse?

What do people use lunging for mainly with a young horse? how often and for 
how long would you use side reins? How would you judge the length the side 
reins should be if you did use them?

It seems to me there is a great difference between horses for pleasuer 
riding with a little local showing, or even horses for dressage where they 
can have a longer career and thoses destined to be show horses primarily - 
jumping or otherwise.
thanks,
Matzi

> What do people use lunging for mainly with a young horse? how often and 
> for how long would you use side reins? How would you judge the length the 
> side reins should be if you did use them?
>
I'd normally start with just a lunge cavesson (plus brushing boots all 
round); but it's horses for courses.  Boris is lunged off a headcollar as we 
don't have a lunge cavesson small enough to fit him, and without boots 
(ditto).

Side reins - introduce later on, once horse is lunging quietly - ie will 
start in walk, will walk, trot and halt on command and is used to wearing 
the bridle and roller as well as the cavesson.  Start with them fairly long 
and loose; NEVER use them during warm-up or cool-down, only mid-session, and 
NEVER 'pull the horse's head in' with them - the horse should be encouraged 
to work forwards ONTO the side reins. And only in trot (and later in 
canter); except once the horse is more experienced you can do a LITTLE work 
in walk (with long enough reins).  Too easy to spoil the walk by over-use of 
side-reins.

How to judge the length - well, not so short as to pull the head in and not 
so long that they have no effect.... and it depends on whether you are 
trying to work the horse 'long and low' or to bring him up and round 
more............ you have to keep a picture in your mind of what you are 
trying to achieve but ALSO bear in mind the horse's stage of development and 
what he can physically do.  You can of course alter the length of the reins 
during the session - start longer and take them up once the horse has warmed 
up and is starting to work through from behind.

There are some good books on lunging out there by experts ......... try 
Jenny Lorriston Clarke, Sylvia Stannier, and Tanya Larrigan ('New 
Sensations').  They won't all fully agree with each other but the basic 
principles are sound............. ;-)

Cheers
Alison.

On Apr 6, 7:09 pm, "Matzi"  wrote:
> (tried to post this one and doesn't seem to have wored so I apologise if
> appears twice! lol)

I could see the other post. I replied too.



> What would people do with a youngest 12 months or less?

Teach it manners, teach it to lead, leave it alone


> What do people use lunging for mainly with a young horse?

Headcollar over bridle. Lunge rein threaded through nearside bit ring,
up over poll and clipped to far side bit ring. That way the bit is
lifted in the horse's mouth if he carries on, and he's using his own
strength to stop himself. Stops them acting the maggot and getting
hurt.

how often and for how long would you use side reins?

Not at all until the horse is well established on the lunge, then
introduce one at a time - inside rein only, then outside rein only,
then both. With a young horse working on the lunge is hard work, so
sessions should be very short. Warm up on both reins, then 5 mins each
side on side reins, then go do something else with them to wind down
and reward them.

How would you judge the length the side reins should be if you did use
them?

Longer than you think they should be. The goal is to have the horse
reach forward to take the rein. Should never be 'tied back' by it. I
usually find that when the horse is at rest and looking around him,
that's about the right length for the side reins.


> It seems to me there is a great difference between horses for pleasuer
> riding with a little local showing, or even horses for dressage where they
> can have a longer career and thoses destined to be show horses primarily > jumping or otherwise.

Shouldn't be any difference in the training. The goal is to teach them
a way of going which will enable them to carry a rider efficiently and
calmly.

hth
Carol

"Alison Coote"  wrote in message 
news:_dadnX9OIsJY9kfUnZ2dnUVZ8vKdnZ2d@bt.com...
>> What do people use lunging for mainly with a young horse? how often and 
>> for how long would you use side reins? How would you judge the length the 
>> side reins should be if you did use them?
>>
> I'd normally start with just a lunge cavesson (plus brushing boots all 
> round); but it's horses for courses.  Boris is lunged off a headcollar as 
> we don't have a lunge cavesson small enough to fit him, and without boots 
> (ditto).
>
> Side reins - introduce later on, once horse is lunging quietly - ie will 
> start in walk, will walk, trot and halt on command and is used to wearing 
> the bridle and roller as well as the cavesson.  Start with them fairly 
> long and loose; NEVER use them during warm-up or cool-down, only 
> mid-session, and NEVER 'pull the horse's head in' with them - the horse 
> should be encouraged to work forwards ONTO the side reins. And only in 
> trot (and later in canter); except once the horse is more experienced you 
> can do a LITTLE work in walk (with long enough reins).  Too easy to spoil 
> the walk by over-use of side-reins.
>
> How to judge the length - well, not so short as to pull the head in and 
> not so long that they have no effect.... and it depends on whether you are 
> trying to work the horse 'long and low' or to bring him up and round 
> more............ you have to keep a picture in your mind of what you are 
> trying to achieve but ALSO bear in mind the horse's stage of development 
> and what he can physically do.  You can of course alter the length of the 
> reins during the session - start longer and take them up once the horse 
> has warmed up and is starting to work through from behind.
>
> There are some good books on lunging out there by experts ......... try 
> Jenny Lorriston Clarke, Sylvia Stannier, and Tanya Larrigan ('New 
> Sensations').  They won't all fully agree with each other but the basic 
> principles are sound............. ;-)
>
> Cheers
> Alison.

Thanks. makes me think maybe i do have a decent eye and should trust it. 
Lengthed Lillys side reins on Sat as she looked very unhappy when put on. 
lossened them by one and immediately became much more round and confortable 
looking relaxing in and down rather than fighting them.
I do only use for mid session and she only does 20-30 mins in total on 
lunge. really just trying to help her develop carrying herself ready for 
more ridden work later.

|Matzi
>