At Om Ranch Stables, lunge line work is where we begin as well. The student will ride a schooling horse, (Sierra) and sit on the saddle and hold the grab strap instead of the reins. The instructor controls the horse's bit from the lunge line which is held in the center of a 20 meter circle in the arena. The student is able to sit and concentrate on proper position of the seat, leg and upper body while the hands use the strap to aid in balance and quiet use of the hands. As the lesson progresses the focus will be on any weaknesses the student has in developing the balanced seat position. The hands must become independent of the seat so that when the reins are introduced, the rider will not interfere with the horse's motion by being too dependent on the reins to balance on the horse. This method is used in all three gaits, walk, trot and canter in both directions.
In the beginning, if things go well on the lunge line, the last ten minutes of the lesson can be spent using the reins. If the student is a serious Dressage Competitor or holds that as a goal, we will spend many lessons on the lunge line if the student so desires. As the typical student progresses, we spend more and more time using the reins as the lessons progress, eventually to the point where the instructor will observe the student from the ground as they ride in the arena with seat and reins on the schooling horse.
You may also trailer in your own horse and perfect your riding skills on your horse and on the lunge line. I can teach your horse lunge line work and you too. Then you can use lunge line work at home with your horse as part of your training.
