From starveling to soulhorse – a lungeing course success story
On the spur of the moment I joined my first lungeing clinic with Babette. It was so exciting and emotional. What I saw was a completely different way of working with horses.
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Why use a cavesson at all?
Using a cavesson lets you achieve the poll position required for healthy work. Through bending at the poll and correct positioning of the head you can start working on the horse’s lateral bend.
In my experience, this is much less effective with other bitless bridles (like a halter). The cavesson has the advantage that you can work with the horse at a high gymnastic level without affecting the mouth.
How to fit the cavesson
Here is how to fit a cavesson correctly. Put the cavesson on the horse and adjust first for correct length...
Evaluating the Basic Gaits
Before we start looking at the details of a specific horse’s way of moving, we need to take a look at the basic ...
Flexion at the Poll
In order to bend along the whole spine the horse needs a flexible poll which can bend to the inside.
Shoulders in Balance
Every horse has a natural crookedness and is therefore never fully balanced. This crookedness causes the horse to lean into the circle on one hand and move in a tilted position. Through targeted training we help our horses develop balanced shoulders.
Moving on a circle
A good way of moving is an essential precondition for the horse to develop the necessary strength for carrying a rider. That is true for a young horse as well as a mature animal.
In order to be successful, we need to understand the difficulties our horse faces when we start training it. In the wild a horse essentially moves only in straight lines. He may turn abruptly or change direction, but he never moves continuously on a curve or even a circle.
The happy, motivated and healthy moving horse during liberty work
I love liberty work with horses.
I feel deeply touched and get goosebumps when a horse follows me in an open field, full of opportunities to run away.
Advantages of a cavesson with metal fitting
Teresa explains why we recommend a cavesson with metal fitting for lunge work.
The base of the cervical spine – a source for many problems
Many horses have difficulties with letting go, activating back muscles, bending correctly or moving supple.
It is the base of the cervical spine that often causes these issues.
Suppleness
The most important requirement for a good and correct movement pattern is suppleness. Horses that are tense, ...
Lungeing FAQ’s: More Speed Creates Problems
The activation of the hind end is a very important building block that should be incorporated into our training early on.
Forward Down Posture
We differentiate between three positions: forward down, working frame and collection. Suppleness is most important at first, so we usually shift between forward down and a working frame during lungeing. Advanced horses can be worked in collection on the lunge but should often get the opportunity to stretch and relax.
Lungeing FAQ’s: Problems During Leading in Position
Q:
What do I do if the correct head and body position falls apart once I increase the distance to the horse? I ...
Lungeing FAQ’s: How long and how often?
Today I address two basic questions in my Lungeing Course:• How long should a training session be? • How often should you work on the lunge?
A Course in Lungeing – Franziska and Aska
I have always liked lungeing my horses and have tried to make it as varied as possible for them. It was a lucky coincidence that I heard about Babette and her Course in Lungeing around 4 years ago.
Getting used to the cavesson
Some horses need to get used to the tightly fitting cavesson. It is really important to take the time to familiarize the horse with the cavesson. Please don’t rush into this project by putting on the new cavesson tightly and immediately getting to work.
A report by Deborah about the Course in Lungeing
Garpur was born in 2007 and came to me in 2013. Many Icelandic horses have the fairly high body tension necessary for tölt and pace, and so we often had a problem with relaxation
A course report from Carla Bauchmueller
Written bei Carla.
I am the student this weekend. I am deepening my knowledge of a work that I have studied and practiced for 20 years but as always, there is always more to learn. 🙂
A wonderful success report with the Course in Lungeing
The Lungeing Course for a Frantic Horse.
When ridden in the indoor or outside Pia got hot – that is, fast. Her only way out of not understanding was flight. Even after the lesson was finished and she was supposed to relax in walk, she got faster and faster. Then she started trotting, ever faster, until she ended up galloping. Without a tight rein, she could not be kept at the walk. The decision was made to sell her.
Lungeing course work with horses with health problems
I would generally advise that you discuss any form of training of a horse with health problems with the vet in charge of treatment and with every illness that affects the horse’s ability to move with a physiotherapist as well.
Lungeing course work with older horses
This section should however give you a helping hand in deciding. Do, however, consult your vet or other specialist as well.
My Experience with the Lunging Course – Ann-Spohie and Paul
Paul is an 18-year-old Haflinger gelding who came to me in 2016. He was still very green then, and easily ...
Thoughts on Horse-Oriented Training
A horse that is in a position to understand what people what and that experiences positive consequences when it does what one wants of it is as a rule happy and willing to work with us.
Alina and Moonlight – a Testimonial for the Lunging Course
Let’s start at the beginning: Moonlight was born in Denmark. When she was five years old she was sent to Germany to be sold by a professional horse dealer. She did not like to be handled and was very shy. They tried to break her in, more or less.