Lunging is a time saving off-horse exercise that can yield great benefits.
ridden work, although that depends on what you are actually asking your horse to do! Letting a horse charge around
FEATURE
Quick exercises pay dividends
on the end of the rope is not the goal here. You’re aiming for controlled work using the lunge rope and lunge whip (if required) as extensions of your arms. Spend the first five minutes warming your horse up at a walk, including one rein-change during that time. If your horse thinks being lunged means running like a crazy horse, shorten the rope and walk alongside him to begin with, only increasing the length of rope
If you work through the week and want to make the most of the little time you have with your horse, CHRISTINE ARMISHAW has a few clever hacks.
O
between you if he is settled and calm. From there, start to incorporate transitions between walk and trot. Transitions are a great way to build up your horse’s hindquarter strength as they require more effort to go up
ne way to save time but still
an approved helmet and a good pair of
and down gears compared to running
get some quality work in is to
non-slip gloves is recommended.
around in circles. Practising going
do it from the ground. Here’s
Lunging with transitions
forward and back between paces can
a selection of quick yet productive off-
Lunging your horse is a great way to get
also be beneficial for improving your horse’s ‘go’ aid while under saddle.
horse exercises to keep your horse’s
some fitness work in, even if you don’t
mind engaged and fitness up. For safety,
have time to ride. Some say lunging for
Spend anywhere from ten to fifteen
doing these exercises while wearing
20 minutes is equivalent to an hour of
minutes moving frequently between E Q U E S T R I A N H U B . C O M . AU | 39
