 |
Re: [RC] lunging pre ride - Beth LeggieriI may have missed a similar response, sorry if this is a duplication.
There is a school of thought that suggests handling the horse on the ground in what looks like a "lunging session" is the best way to gage their mental condition for that particular day. Although it looks like lunging, it is decidedly not simply an exercise to vent energy. The rider is checking for responsiveness and softness -- i.e. is the horse listening to the handler or is the horse's mind simply not in the bridle that day? It is that rider's method of choice to establish connection and responsiveness with the horse, and some will not mount until the horse has softened and responding to the handler--changing direction, yielding, stopping, etc. on cue--and is not responding to the environmental stimulation.
Beth
***
Hideaway Farm, Jim & Beth Leggieri, Denton, TX
Athletes of Antiquity: Soaring Wings and Distance Arabians From: Tx Trigger <txtrigger@xxxxxxxxx> To: Ridecamp <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 7:33:04 PM Subject: [RC] lunging pre ride I think many who feel the need to lunge their horse before climbing aboard are doing it for them, not the horse. A horse fit for a distance ride, is not going to get "tired" running in circles, and will only risk injury doing so. And for 'me' , I never want my horse goofing around, bucking, leaping, or running madly on a lunge line. If they are under my control, they are to act like a good horse, and behave. I lunge to check soundness, or for the vets at our NATRC rides. I never lunge to "exercise" them. But that is just one of my quirky opinions. ;-)
Jonni
|