Encouraging Stretch on Lunge

[NoviceNic]

We are lunging to try and get some muscles on his back etc. The inly problem is he has his head in the clouds all the time. He is always bent out as well...????

I have tried poles on the ground and bumping his line to encourage the bend more. Anyone got any ideas how to get a nice soft bend of the body and to get him stretching down more???

[Bay Mare]

The person who rides/works with Saffy for me using body language really effectively and it certainly worked with her!

To get her to stretch long and low she brings her 'front' arm down and forwards and she also brings her body and body language down too. For more energy she brings her arm up, her body more upright and brings her body language 'up'.

Obviously if you're lunging BHS stylee you can't do this but it's been really effective with the SaffBags.

For bend she tend to use longreining and in hand work which has been much more effective.

[NoviceNic]

As I was lunging I noticed my body language had an effect on his moves etc. So I lowered my left arm for the left rein and raised my right for a more energetic walk/trot.....

We have been long lining. Although I was told that this wouldnt be good for him tensing his neck against me and walking away when leading in and out. :confused:

[Bay Mare]

We have been long lining. Although I was told that this wouldnt be good for him tensing his neck against me and walking away when leading in and out. :confused:

Eh?

Long lining and in hand work has done nothing but good for the Saffster. I don't get that ..... :confused:

[NoviceNic]

Well I just didnt know either as all you are doing with long lining is taking the rider off the horses back...Hence less confusion and actually improving the horses way...:) I do enjoy long lining and Captain has proved to be very easy to do. Bless him he has taught me so much..:D

[puzzles]

The person who rides/works with Saffy for me using body language really effectively and it certainly worked with her!

To get her to stretch long and low she brings her 'front' arm down and forwards and she also brings her body and body language down too. For more energy she brings her arm up, her body more upright and brings her body language 'up'.

Obviously if you're lunging BHS stylee you can't do this but it's been really effective with the SaffBags.

For bend she tend to use longreining and in hand work which has been much more effective.

ditto!
horses are experts at reading body language;the unintended signs too.
it really helps to get in there and doit with him;trycarrotstretchesto encourage him to reach down on the yard/in-hand and apply thesame techniques when lunging.
when ridden, carry your hands foprward and down to encourage stretch too.
try andmakeit ritualistic, at the beginning and end of every session.

good luck!

xx

ps - you can use chambons, buttrial and error is often the ebst way to goand personal you're paying a lotfor somethingthat can be gainedsome other way, in this case.

:-)

[puzzles]

sorry if me writing is crap, i can't see the screen ( i'm hiding it! ;-) )