>>>> Geisli could benefit from work without a saddle/rider right now. I do not have access to a roundpen so my options are to lunge him or chase him around the arena. Although I could benefit from the chasing around LOL, I think he would do more productive work if he is working at a more steady pace than fits and starts from me chasing. What are people's thoughts on lunging appropriately? My NH training strongly discouraged lunging.
I think both lunging and "round penning" can be done with benefits...and they both can be seriously misused. I think I see more misuse of both though than I do benefits, but I wouldn't make a blanket endorsement or condemnation of either. Any work on a circle (lunging or round penning) can be very stressful to a horse's joints - but you probably know that. I don't like either when they are used such that the horse goes into a zombie-state. Tivar came to us that way, as did Joe, our big App. They both thought that they were going on the b-o-r-I-n-g treadmill for a while, and they'd tune out as soon as they started. I'm not in favor of any such rote exercise that doesn't also provide some mental stimulation. I don't like "round penning" when it is just a matter of chasing the horse around - I've seen too many horses look puzzled and confused, like "why don't you like me?" And of course, round-penning also is basically on a circle, with similar stresses to the joints as lunging. It's subtle I guess, and I know anything can be misused, but it's a reason I've liked the Parelli program. Their "circling" and "driving" games can be done without having access to a round pen. They emphasize doing circling at all gaits, including walk, and for not so many repetitions. And, once you master the basics, it's quite easy to intersperse some straight stretches of "driving game" (not to be confused with ground driving) with some circling... then you can add in squeeze game between obstacles or trees, over jumps, around cones...the sky is the limit once you get started and get the hang of it. You can also do this virtually anywhere, assuming the horse is reasonably safe, so you can start out on a walk on the trail and do some of this as you have room on the trails. It's fun, and there's no reason at all for it to be boring. And, while it encourages the owner/rider/handler to get moving and get some exercise, it doesn't have to be as exhausting to the human as "chasing" a horse. Plus, I just don't like the idea of chasing my horses away from me - it may have its place sometimes, but I like to do things where there's less chance of confusion, and such that we know we're buddies. If you know how to lunge correctly and safely, it's not necessarily a bad thing, just be careful. And I've seen some creative, acceptable "round penning". I guess do whatever you think is safe for your horse, and will give the best benefit ratio of exercise and mental stimulation. >>> Karen, I did go to the Balance saddle website and it was helpful. Thanks! Good. I think it's a great site. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
