Lesson on a lunge

[nelle]

I've just my very first lesson on a lunge and it felt very strange! It's difficult to trust someone enough to give them total control, as I can be a bit of a nervous nellie anyway, but I really want to concentrate on my position and balance.

Anyway, I've booked in for a couple more and may have them until I feel I've really got a good position. Has anyone else used lunge lessons for this purpose and have you found them useful?

[~Perdita.M~]

I've just booked my first ever lunge lesson for next week too, and feel exactly the same way! Really want to work on balance and a deep seat, but reluctant to relinquish control:D

[neen]

I've only had about 2 lunge lessons in my life, but I really enjoyed them both, once I got over the weirdness of relinquishing control, and they really helped me with my position.

At my current RS, I've had a couple of "position" lessons which, although there was no lunge involved, achieved the same effect. RI's instruction was "imagine you're on the lunge". Rather than trusting the person at the end of the lunge rein, I had to 100% trust the horse -- quite a different feeling. Those lessons really did a lot for me -- I think sometimes I need to be able to forget about control in order to really feel what's going on.

[Sammii]

I really took alot from the lunge lessons i had after my accident. I was a total nervous nelly from top to bottom and they really improved my way of thinking about riding and about the way i ride in general.

The main thing they helped me to do was in rising trot, because i wasn't holding any reins that i started to rise from my hips instead of leaning on my hands and rising from my stirrups, this has improved my balace.

I hope they help, as they did me....enjoy them :)

[nelle]

Oh good, it sounds as though they could be useful then. I think today was about getting used to the idea of the lunge if you know what I mean, as I was worrying more about my RI and the horse than my position.

We did some walk, trot and canter. Got into jumping position at trot to try and bring my heels down and lengthen my calf muscles. Had reins but they were hanging very loose, trot wasn't too bad, but I did hold onto the front of the saddle. But as soon as we cantered I really paniced and rolled into a ball and then did a motorbike lean - I think actually I started shouting "oh I need to stop" as well :o, I calmed down a bit though and my position staighted out.

Next time I've asked to go back to basics - walk, trot - really concentrating on balance, as I don't want to be hanging on the reins, and also my lower leg position.

I would be interested to hear how you go on with your lesson Perdita - good luck :)

[nelle]

The main thing they helped me to do was in rising trot, because i wasn't holding any reins that i started to rise from my hips instead of leaning on my hands and rising from my stirrups, this has improved my balace.

I hope they help, as they did me....enjoy them :)

This is what I want to to achieve as well Sammii - how many lessons did you have before you got the hang of it?

[flintybaby]

When I was young and stupid I gave my friend (who had never ridden a horse in her life) a lunging lesson and took her reins and styrrups away! But do you know what she had the best balance of anyone Ive ever seen!!

[janetj235]

I really enjoyed my lunge lesson's as a new rider, my confidence comes and goes, the last lunge lesson's i had i was doing sit and trot without stirups and without holding on, i loved it really felt good because i stayed on and had a good laugh hope you enjoy yours as much as i did:)

[andreaB]

i'm not a new rider & do ride pretty well , i had a block of lunge lessons rcently & found them hugely beneficial , you can get so wrapped up in working on the horse that you forget about yourself , even my none horsey oh commnted on how elegant me & the ned were looking at a competition afterwards!

[capalldubh]

I have never had a lunge lesson - it sounds really useful!

Did you have no reins at all or did you just hold them with no contact?

[Sammii]

I've had three lunge lessons, 30 minutes a piece, and it was during my 2nd that i noticed the difference of my hands :)

[andreaB]

i've had my lessons with no reins , horse in side reins for the contact , but if you need the security of reins can have them tied in a loop & hold the loop , usually just in one hand whilst carrying the other as though holding an imaginary rein