Alternate Training

[Rayna777@aol.com]

In regards to lunging:

I have found "pasture chasing"  to be far superior in conditioning horses, 
and for a lot of reasons.

I chase the three I have in the field using a whip, a stick with a crinkly 
plastic bag on it, and rocks, sticks, and pinecones. ( I refrain from using a 
pistol, though it's tempting at times)

I start out just moving them around, then slowly get them moving, till they 
are galloping.  I work in all gaits, all speeds, both directions, and if 
someone needs an extra breather (Like Jynxie, my 27 yo pony) I catch them, 
tie them up OUTSIDE the pasture, in a stall, or put them in the round pen. 
I also chase in the round pen, which is about 80 feet across.  I don't chase 
nearly as long in there, they aren't used to working in that small of circle 
yet.

I pasture chase because it allows me to work all three at once.

They have to pay attention to footing...Our pasture is rocky, steep, muddy in 
places, has sticks, logs, and brush to contend with. Sometimes I stack up 
brush for jumps, or just as a diversion.

It allows me to push the horses faster over lousey footing than I can safely 
do on their backs , which makes them safer and more sure-footed on the 
trails.  They work ALL the muscles!

The horses seem to enjoy it, honest.  And it doesn't make them hard to catch. 
 I can go out and call them to me, with one whistle or make them run with 
another.  They know the difference between " Mom want's to catch us," and" 
Mom want's us to GO!"

Now I realize this isn't for everyone, lots of people will probably not like 
my method because it sets a horse up for injury.  You have to go slow at 
first, alot of horses freak when you go into THEIR space and start chasing 
them around, spooking them, and making lots of noise.  But I have had very 
few injuries, and they have been minor.  It helps that I have a boss mare who 
leads everone around.  She knows the drill.

I have done this for years, and with all kinds of horses, from minis to draft 
horses, no kidding.
It's a blast to watch them ripping around, and to watch them interact with 
each other.  I had a  gelding  who would bite anyone who stopped along the 
fence.  Didn't take them long to figure out to keep moving!

If you want to really have something to see, go out at night during a full 
moon, especially if it's sorta cold, and chase them around for awhile.  Take 
a camera and high speed film, you'll want pictures!

Okay, that's enough I guess.  Now I wanna go out and chase everyone!

Julie, Rayna, ( Forget it, Mom, it's raining, and we've already got out 
raincoats on.  Besides, Decker has two loose shoes!) Jynx, and Decker ( 
Whew!, Thanx Rayna)


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=