Hmmm... (outline)

[galadriel]

So Katherine is being VERY good and trying hard to give me an outline when I ask for it. It's hard for her to hold it, as she hasn't really got the muscles yet--we just started working on this.

We need to make progress on getting her muscles for this, but I don't want to blow out her brain; I'd like to spend some sessions just playing & jumping. I lunge her every day. Is there anything I can use to help her hold an outline while lunging, so we can (sometimes) do more fun stuff so she doesn't get burned out?

Again, I have a hard time imagining a horse getting an outline of any kind without proper leg use, which is why I'm asking. I've seen the "Pessoa lunging system" and such and was wondering if they actually WORK.

I'm so pleased with my baby girl; she's trying SO hard for me. I just want to be able to give her a break from something she finds difficult, sometimes. If it's not actually going to be helpful--and we DON'T want her developing resistive muscles!--we'll just keep taking it easy the way we have been.

[Yann]

Whn I was taught to lunge I was told that once the horse has warmed up properly you can attach elasticated side reins from the saddle / roller to the bit to simulate a rein contact, but not to overdo the amount of contact.

[Wally]

If you have a generous horse don't be greedy.;) She will come up with the goods with gentle training, don't ask for the stars when the horse is prepared to give you the moon;)

If what you are doing seems to be getting results then stay with it, rush and you'll do damage.

[galadriel]

Originally posted by Wally
If what you are doing seems to be getting results then stay with it, rush and you'll do damage.

Indeed indeed. I don't want so much to rush it as to continue to work on it without making her do it under saddle ALL the time. She's trying for me and being VERY good but she just does not understand why I'm asking her to do all this weird stuff, and she'd really like to just go jump, please.

I was hoping there might be some way to let her build that muscle so as I ask her for an outline, it becomes easier, and makes her happier. And so we can go do the fun stuff she likes ;) I love my mare to pieces and I think I'd do anything to make her happier... It seems very much like she feels about the same way about me, and I'd like to continue to deserve it!

[IrisSilverMoon]

At my barn, we use the lunge for the horse to sort of stretch out it's back muscles muscles. We like to encourage it to put it's nose on the ground and go pretty slow.

The walk is fast, and the trot and canter are slowed and usually on a 10 meter circle if the horse can manage, it's somehting you sort of work up to.

It will really help your horse to get her outline a lot faster if you encourage her to do this on the lunge, by putting her nose on the ground it will completely stretch out her back and she'll be nice and warmed up by the time you get on and are ready to work her...:)