Lungeing E-Book

Angelika Schmelzer

• Herausgeber: Cadmos Publishing
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Seitenzahl: 43

Beschreibung

Work on the lunge is important for the education and training of young horses, as well as the gymnastic development of the older horse. While lungeing can look easy from the outside, this is not necessarily the case; correct lungeing has to be learnt. For instance, the choice of equipment, where the trainer should be in relation to the horse, and the safety aspect for both horse and trainer - all these are vital considerations. This guide is for all horse lovers who want to learn the correct way to lunge a horse. Using clear and easy terms, this guide is an invaluable reference book for anyone wishing to know more and putting this invaluable training technique into practice.

Leseprobe

Inhalt

Introduction

Safety first

Safety takes priority

The strength of staying calm

Equipment for lungeing

Equipment for the horse

Rein support

The lunge ring

Use of the equipment

Different goals, different techniques

Correct use of auxiliary reins

Principles of work on the lunge

The three phases of training

Communication between horse and trainer

Correct training for every horse

Lungeing young horses

Lungeing the riding horse

Lungeing as warm-up

Lungeing the rider

Lungeing over poles and cavaletti

Problems and solutions

Angelika Schmelzer

Lungeing –Be Safe and Proficient

Tips for safe and successful lungeing

Imprint

Copyright of this and original edtion © 2004 by Cadmos Verlag GmbH, BrunsbekDesign and setting of the print edition: Ravenstein, VerdenTranslated by Desiree GerberProjectmanagement: Editmaster Co Ltd, NorthamptonPhotographs: Angelika SchmelzerE-Book conversion: Satzweiss.com Print Web Software GmbHAll rights reservedCopying or storage in electronic media is permitted only with the prior written permission of the publishers.

ISBN 978-0-85788-720-7

www.cadmos.co.uk

Introduction

Sturdy shoes and good gloves are advisable when lungeing a horse.

Whether you ride or drive, besides work under the saddle, there are addidtional methods of working the horse on the flat that can be used.

The most common and also most versatile technique is lungeing on a single lunge rein, where the horse moves in a circle around the trainer. This basic principle can be varied, using different types of equipment and different techniques, and can thus be adapt­ed to benefit every horse, regardless of its level of training. It can also be used by every rider who is prepared to acquire the appropriate skills. This versatility is best appreciated when the trainer is aware that there is no single way to lunge, but many variations that can be applied by the use of different combinations of all the techniques. The parameters of the variations naturally depend upon the individual capability of the horse, especially with regard to the react­ion of the horse to the voice aids of the trainer, and other relevant factors. When deciding on a specific lungeing technique, not only must the question be asked as to the correctness of lungeing, but also about the level of training for each individual horse, as the trainer should also be considering the strengths and weaknesses of that particular horse.

Safety first

Lunging can be adapted to suit any horse once the trainer is familar with the different technique.

When lungeing is done well, it is a highly effective and particularly gentle way of training the horse. The motivation of the horse can also be promoted when the necessary steps are taken for the safety of both the horse and the trainer.

The following accidents are not uncommon:

• A shying horse dragging the trainer, who has stepped into a loop of the lunge rein or got his hand caught in one of the loops that closed on the hand. In such instances the trainer can be seriously injured and even lose the use of a finger or sometimes the whole hand.

• The horse somehow got himself caught in the lunge rein, possibly through getting frightened and jumping sideways. He then runs away in panic and can stumble in the process, seriously injuring himself.

Most accidents can be prevented, and scary situations can pass without consequence, provided certain rules are followed. These rules include the correct use of equipment for both the horse and trainer and the way the trainer handles the horse.

Safety takes priority

Good, sturdy shoes and gloves are an absolute must when it comes to lungeing. Gloves prevent burn wounds from the rope and injuries to the fingers if a horse shies and suddenly pulls the rope through the fingers of the trainer. Sturdy shoes offer good footing and protect the trainer from bruised toes and broken bones in the feet through kicks or if the horse tramples on the trainer’s feet. Clothing should be either zipped up or buttoned; nothing should flap around or rustle – as is the case when riding.

When accustoming a horse to strange or unknown equipment, the trainer must use a lot of patience; this is especially true when auxiliary reins are used, as these reduce the freedom of movement of the horse and can easily cause the horse to panic when used too early or fasten­ed too tight. When leading the horse to the lunge arena the supporting reins should not be fastened at all! It is recommended that the legs of the horse should be protected with boots, pads or bandages. This will protect the horse from strain, knocks, and overreach injuries. It is particularly appropriate if the horse has some kind of conformational fault or other anatomical shortcoming that can cause the horse to injure itself when working but it is of course also true of temperamental horses that can buck wildly and race around, injuring themselves through sheer exuberance.