Cantering on Lunge Line?

Question

I want to canter my horse on the lunge line before I try it without because we have no enclosed area to ride in, its is all pastures and open fields. Is this a good idea?

Answer 1

its good that you are taking precautions and that you want to do the safe thing first. just a tip: when lunging at a canter, its best to have quite a large circle because if its too tight its a bit awkward and unbalanced lol.

Answer 2

Sure! why not? Its deff a good idea since you'll be riding and its to boost your confidence :)

Have fun, and enjoy your horse!! :)

Answer 3

I think it's a good idea to do it on the longe line first.

If  your horse respects electric fence, you could fence off an arena sized area of your open field to ride in.  It would be pretty cheap to do, and easily removeable or moveable if  you need to.

Answer 4

If your having confidence issues then riding the canter on a lunge would be a good idea, as long as your mom is experienced with lunging a horse.  If she isn't then the best thing would be to either trailer your horse to a place with an enclosed area or to find a corner of a pasture an ride in it so you at least have some fence to work with.

Answer 5

Yeah, that's fine. You said you'd be on the horse, just make sure you can control him out in the field, you're mom will also be there. So that should help. :]

If you're doing it, make sure you are totally comfortable with lunging. And wear gloves if you do, because if your horse doesn't want to canter in a nice neat circle anymore, you could get rope burn. J

Also, I'd go through where you want to lunge, and check for any holes, or things of that nature that your horse could trip on.

Have fun. :]

Answer 6

yes. why not? that is fine, as long as you are competent with lunging, and have done it before

Answer 7

To be totally honest, if you have no enclosed areas I would rather be on my horse. If your horse decides he doesn't want to canter in a circle anymore, you would have a bad case of rope burn and a horse running wild with a huge line to step on. If you're on him you have a better chance of staying with him and keeping him and yourself safe. If you're afraid to canter your horse at all, have someone you trust who's more experienced than you are to canter your horse and gauge his reaction. Good luck, and stay safe, also maybe consider investing in a round pen type thing. You can buy pieces of it and assemble it wherever you want so that way you can canter your horse on a lounge line safely and in an enclosed area. Good luck again.

ADD

I would say that with your mom lounging and you riding that's a good idea. I'm sure you'll be fine though. You know how to stop your horse if anything gets out of control, let that be your confidence boost. Also, I know a few horses who do wild things while being lounged that they never do when someone is on them, so don't let a little silliness scare you away from cantering on your own. Don't let the horse get away with it and keep riding. If you're right by the highway and you don't have any enclosed areas what keeps your horses from bolting when they are turned out?

Answer 8

Yeah why not? As long as your horse is used to being lunged & you check the ground for holes and such I dont see any problem with getting your confidence heightened before cantering on your own!

Good Luck, its SOO much fun!

Answer 9

I don't see why not. Just know, that even though your mom will be holding a lunge line, this cannot stop the horse from bucking or any other naughty behavior, the only thing he can't do is bolt away.

Answer 10

Definitely.

But if you are lunging in a field, i recommend checking the ground first for any holes or burrows that could really hurt your horse if he stepped in.

Answer 11

Yea! One of my friends keep her horse at her grans livery farm and they just have big MASSIVE fields. But she( well I because she can't be bothered ) canters her horse in the open field but I always check things first like this...

Is the ground very hard? If their is it could ruin your horses feet.

Is it too soft and muddy? Your horse could lose a shoe.

If not you should be fine but i walk round the area I would be cantering her in just to check if their is any holes or things she could trip over on.

If all is clear proceed but just be catious! =]

Good Luck!

Answer 12

It's a good idea, just make sure that your horse is good when cantering on the lunge.

Answer 13

Sure its OK. But I would make sure you can slow the horse down first so you don't feel like things are out of control. Practice on the lunge line having your horse alternate between walk and trot a lot. If you are comfortable slowing your horse to a walk from a trot, then start asking for a canter.



David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...