Loose Schooling

[loopylou]

With my ankle i am unable to do much and Sparky will start to loose his fitness. I couldn't lunge him as i wouldn't be able to move very fast, as he does go rather yyyyeeehhhhaaa the couple times i have tried.

What about loose schooling?? I have to admit i have never loose schooled a horse. Please could you all give me advice and tips???

[nic]

aahhh shame, riding vibes this weekend if brenda says yes else id of offered!

[greydales]

With loose schooling you are using your body language in the same way as lunging, but because the horse is not directly under your control you need to have it in a smaller more contained area (for example sectioning off an area of an arena with jumps/jump wings). I have a 40x20 arena and if loose schooling - especially where the horse hasn't done it before, I would use less than half of this - maybe around 15x15.

I just use a lunging whip and move my body to where I want the horse to go - behind the shoulder to drive him forwards, then in front to stop/turn him. It's useful to have two lunging whips if you've never done this before! Only use as much 'drive' as is necessary otherwise you may end up with a wall of death LOL.

If Sparky hasn't done much lunging and tends to get excited, you will probably find he'll be just as excited being loose schooled. You will still need to be mobile and you may find it tricky with your ankle.

What about long reining?

[harveydales]

I don't think you should rush into long reining or loose schooling until your ankle is more on the mend. Just walking on a schooling surface could aggrevate it due to the uneven surface pulling on the ligaments. Also you will be tempted to move too sharply/quickly - as Gill says, you do need to be mobile for these activities.

My ankle is permanently damaged now and I would never contemplate ground work on grass or a surface. Lunging and loose schooling put more stress on an ankle than riding. Be guided by how it feels - if it is painful if you try and jog a few strides on a surface then it is too soon to think about working Sparky. I know it is frustrating to lose the fitness you have built up in Sparky but it is worth being patient.

[olivia]

I find that when loose schooling I have to move around more than if lunging, especially, as Gill says, if the area is very big. I do like it very much and think it's very useful, but not if you've got a sore ankle.

I hope you find something that works for you both.

[mickey]

Just a little tip- make sure the fence is high enough (says she who went to lunge YM's horse, lost control and it popped over the 5'3 fence and took ages to catch!)

[Debbie]

I'll echo Pam on this one ~ don't even think about it yet!!! Nope, don't.

Your ankle is no where near ready for loose schooling or even walking around on it yet. Yes, I know you've been 'managing', but trust me, this is where its better to have it broken than sprained because you don't allow it time to heal. You keep trying to put your weight on it, and you'll keep trying to do 'normal' activities with it. Whereas if its a break, you won't even think about putting it down for 6 weeks.

Seriously, you can end up with permanent damage and scarring to your ankle if you push too much too soon. And we all want you healed as quickly as possible

[PonyGirl]

Let it heal. Let it heal. If you don't it will be worse. So.....let it heal.

[loopylou]

Thank you for all your concern, i will follow instructions and rest it and leave loose schooling to when i am able to run again.

Thanks everyone

[chickflick1066]

I STUPIDLY thought I could long-rein with a sprained ankle! I now have one mashed up left ankle. Silly child I am!

[Debbie]

Amitola, I hope you can get the pain to subside Man that's gotta hurt.

Ankle injuries really do shelve much activity around horses. You can shove through with riding (says she who's been stuck with it in the past), but it delays proper healing, and sets you up for reinjury. I wouldn't even want to think about the long reining, lunging, loose schooling on a wonky ankle.

[nic]

I saw a VERY white horse being exercised in the arena yest Loopy, hope it wasnt u!!

[loopylou]

No, one of my friends came over and rode him for me. Wow, it was really nice seeing him work well and properly from the floor. My friend has done a Degree in equine scienece so a very good rider.

[Rachel]

Never put a 1m30 spread up when the horse could easily carry on and think the fence is part of a double lol.

[loopylou]

Instructor took him out hacking yesterday, i think they went for a good whizz. We have got our new saddle arriving to be fitted, so will get and tomorrow and see how we get on.