Is it right to lunge a 2yr old

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Lisa S

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Jun 23, 2003
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Hi Everyone

I have a 16h two year old gelding who I have loose schooled for a little exercise which has always been ok. But he has decided that jumping over the five bar gate is much more fun. Therefore I was wondering what everyones idea was for lungeing at this age, I would boot him and suit adequately with a roller etc but do you think two is too young of an age to start this kind of work. I have mixed feelings so would appreciate some feedback.
 
Personally I wouldn't do too much at all. Working a young horse on such a small circle isn't good for joints and muscles, which are still developing.

Walking on the lunge shouldn't do any harm, perhaps occasional trotting, but for short periods only and to just get him used to voice commands, like walk on, stand etc.

Definately no cantering - he won't be balanced enough. I wouldn't canter a horse on the lunge until it was at least 4yrs old and then only for a few strides.

You could vary the lunging to include working down the long side of the school instead of circles.

There is no reason at all why you couldn't do lots of groundwork with him, in hand - over poles, through jump wings and fillers etc.
 
yes it sounds like he would enjoy a little in hand jumping! he sounds like a lovely keen horse who will become a lovely ride in the future and u r very lucky! but dont overdo it. it is easy to become greedy when a young horse shows potential and do too much, too soon and ruin the horse. take things slowly and it sounds like you will produce a lovely keen horse. good luck with him - he sounds lovely! :D
 
Personally,...I wouldn't put a 2 year old on the lunge to do any kind of work...as Piaffe has said,..their joints are just not strong enough to tackle circles and their balance will be pretty much non-existant when being on the end of the lunge line.. I know that you can watch a young horse playing and frolicking in the fields looking completely in balance and at ease in his paces,...but it's a different ball game completely when we put them on the end of the lunge line and control where they go and in such an enclosed area..

Have you thought of long reining? I would prefer this, at short sessions, to working on the lunge. Forward and straight is what I would be looking for initially... not circles,..IMO.;)
 
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