Lunge or long lead

[janetj235]

just one question first is lunge work the same as a long lead?

Well just let me say i was riding today on either of the above because i dont know the different, well the lead was wrapped around the horses OMG just had a metal block, sorry the head bit on the horse, and the reigns were tied to the stirrup part and the RI had me trotting without stirrups and reigns o was it hard work but i really enjoyed it i think this is doing my confidence good as i was loosing it for the last 5 weeks but it coming back. Its good to have a good laugh as my legs were giving in it made me laugh cos the RI was saying get your hand up im sorry if you dont see the funny side but i really enjoyed it

[skye06]

If you were riding it was a lunge lesson, Long reining is when u have 2 lunge lines one either side and you walk/run behind horse or make him circle and stand in middle. I always find lunge lesson great for balance and confidence giving, also find it very funny to be lunged as you can do all sorts of exercises you can't do when you have to control horse.

[Meggie]

Hi

Long reining is great i would suggest doing that more if you can. I do a bit of both with my horse but always find that the horse gets bored lunging and it does put a lot of stress on there legs. If you haven't done long reinig before get a teacher or friend to show you what to do, also your horse may be slightly confused at first by having a rope around the back of there legs (sometimes happens turning etc). Another advantage of ong reins is that it teaches your horse to be more confident and forward thinking if you aren't in fornt all the time you can help your horse to be "leader" and encourage some bravery on there part. There are lots of good books with pointers to help you with it, but nothing beats the practical. You could try reading about it and then practice on a freind! Its funny and not as easy as you would think!

Good luck
Megan

[janetj235]

Thank you both. i just need to let you know that my lessons are at a riding school, and as of yet i dont own a horse, i dont feel that it would be fair due to family comitments, but maybe one day wen all the kids have left the nest, that would be a nice pressy to buy myself, and only started riding 8months ago and had lost my confidence recently but now it coming back due to the fun i am having, as the RI is only 20 and im 45, and everytime i say i cant he says yes you can and then makes the lesson harder, but like i say with fun in it

[skye06]

Congrats for getting on and getting on with riding after a knock in confidence. I know how hard it can be. Sounds like your RI is a good laugh and is really helping you. Keep us posted and when you do any shows or things send us all pics.

[janetj235]

Thanks Skye i will keep everyone in the world posted about my progress, lol because i tell everyone about my riding and how i love it, and i love this site and i read it everyday its the horse riding bible to me.