Lungeing

[Jo]

I'm having a lesson on the lunge this week, after 11 weeks of learning. I seem to be getting on OK but I have a feeling my balance isn't so good. I don't lean on the reins (I am particularly careful about it) but I do feel insecure if asked to "give my hands away". I feel they balance me. Also, I have a tendency to tilt ever so slightly forward in trot sometimes and get very tense in the shoulders. My problem is that I am beginning to fear the lunge lesson. The very idea of not having the reins scares me. Am I likely to topple off? What will I do with my hands? Someone at the school said my instructor got him cantering on the lunge and he said it was very controlled and a wonderful experience, but the thought of cantering without reins is terrifying to me! Any advice?

[Tikki]

Hi

Tell your instructor how you feel and hopefully s/he will be able to help you through the problem. Would holding on to the mane or the front of the saddle help - certainly they will always be there to grab on to even if you have given your reins away. I know it's easier said than done but do try to relax. Perhaps if you think about something else, the horse's rhthym for instance, that might take your mind off your worry about the reins. If you are asked to ride without reins my guess is that you will be asked to do some stretching exercises, which will actually give you a more secure seat at the end of the day. Remember the instructor will have full control of the horse so you won't need to worry about 'riding' it - what you have to do in a lunge lesson is to concentrate on your position. Look up and ahead and don't worry too much about tilting forward a little - better that than falling behind the movement. Your instructor will keep you right and don't be afraid to tell her if you are unhappy or worried about anything.

Good luck.

[Mike]

If you have a look at the rising trot page from a Kinder Way to Ride series..

www.newrider.com/html/rising_trot.html (http://www.newrider.com/html/rising_trot.html)

You'll see Heather suggests a small strap fastened between the D rings of the saddle to help to give you support if you need it. Have a chat to your instructor and ask if you can fit one.

I'm sure you'll be fine.

Mike

[Marlena]

Hi Jo!

I quite agree with Tikki there. Don't be afraid; the instructor will be in control of the horse. When I took lunge lessons, the instructor told me to hold onto the front of the saddle for as long as I wanted, which made me feel comfortable. After a while, however, I felt that it was easier to stay balanced if I did NOT hold onto it. Doing exercises with your arms will help (although I was nervous about it at first) as it'll help you relax. Although I'm sure my balance is far from perfect, lunge lessons helped me feel relaxed and I rely on my arms far less now.

Good luck with the lesson!

Marlena.

P.S. A while ago I posted a plea for help because I felt I couldn't relax & somebody suggested that I sing! That actually helped, particularly when I was doing exercises with my arms.

[Farm_Girl5]

This is actually funny because I always found it easier to drop the reins and concentrate on how I rode. I held onto the front of the saddle and then I let one hand go then I took the other off a little way so if I felt unbalanced I could grab back on. I can now say I can canter real well on the lunge with my hands straight out in the air.
Good luck
Kristy

[Waltz]

Hi, jo here! As I have changed my ISP i have had to reregister and now i cannot call myself Jo! Never mind - it's Waltz in future! I had the lunge lesson (it was with strict instructor's protege, Alison, and she was strict and fun and really knowledgeable too!)and it went fine. it took her only minutes to see what my problems were and she worked me hard for an hour. i've had two lessons since and have felt much more balanced. I'm nowhere near perofect and i still hunch my shoulders but it's better and I'm thinking more and understanding too. I have also begun to sing!

[This message has been edited by Waltz (edited 05 June 1999).]