In-hand or lunging or long lining Resources

[TeenyTiny]

Hello all,

I’ve found myself in a bit of a pickle, I usually ride 5 days a week and have bringing along my own horse (first horse super exciting!). I’ve run into some health issues that are preventing me from riding or having good rides, and I’m really starting to notice that my horses physical shape and endurance is taking a toll. We recently got the quiet slow canter which I know physically is hard, and she is starting to struggle mostly because I can’t keep up and keep her in shape. I’m looking for some resources for ground work whether it’s in hand, longing, long lining etc. that I can build a ground work program for her and keep her in shape and going while I take time to recover. I can mostly keep up from the ground, but riding is a different story. I’m not interested in leasing her out or having someone else ride, at this point. Thank you all for your help.

[Pehsness]

Oh, following. I want to utilize longeing more as well but am now more cognizant of doing it correctly.

[atlatl]

Have you looked at the USDF Lunging Manual? I also have this book:

101 Longeing and Long Lining Exercises: English & Western

[outerbanks77]

It’s not classical dressage, but I like Double Dan’s set of DVDs. They have a progression of 3 or 4 levels.

[cardinale]

Also not classical dressage, and your horse might already be comfortable with longeing or naturally quiet, cooperative and tractable, but if not make sure they know enough groundwork to be comfortable with the concept of turning around you in a circle and other basic groundwork (yielding to pressure, etc.).

If not, you might benefit from the information in these videos:

How to lunge a horse for the first time

How to lunge a horse when they are green

Get your horse to lunge in minutes, not hours

She has more videos on yt that are useful. This is basic stuff but good to know if your horse isn’t already used to longeing.

[FjordBCRF]

Jen Ballou has a couple excellent books with a multitude of in hand single exercises as well as full workouts! They not only kept my guy in shape during on and off rehab, but have him using his body much better than prior to starting them.

[TeenyTiny]

Thank you all, she does know how to lunge, she’s quiet good at it and very (for the most part) respectful, I’m looking to get her carrying herself and practicing leg yeilds, shoulder/haunches in/out, developing her trot and canter more so she doesn’t loose the muscles or fitness to do so when we can ride again. Thank you everyone for the suggestions always happy for more!