2 questions

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jackobear

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From my previous post you might know that I can't ride my boy at the moment as he has a sore mouth.

So I have been lunging him... haven't done it much in the past but is going ok but I can't make the lazy bugger canter! I use my voice and chase him on but he just trots faster and faster. He is a cob and unless hunting doing x country or something fun he is very lazy. So any tips to make him canter?

Also anything I can do to make to kunging more excting?

Also someone suggested on here that I use hemearhoid (sp?) where the bit has rubbid on the inside of his mouth. I have been using it and it seems to be helping. However someone has said I shouldn't use it as its for external use only. Do people think its ok to use.. I am tending to think it cant do much harm but what are your opinions?

Thanks
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When mine won't canter on the lunge (doesn't happen often!) but I give them a good shake down the lung line and a bit of a tug just to get there attention and turn their head abit so they start concentrating along with back up from the whip. And lots and lots of voice.
 
Learn how to 'crack' your lunge whip, the noise might wake him put a bit.

Also would try to lunge him over a pole or two, and if your ok with that, a small jump. Will keep him interested and might encourage him to canter.
 
Buddy goes better with a normal riding whip rather than a lunging whip he relaxes a lot more. Though if he is just being lazy just try to get the whip to make a much noise as possible he will soon speed up lol.
 
Hi,

Have you not considered riding without a bit? What about a hackamore? Obviously enclosed area if you're abit worried on brakes.

Lunging, my horse has that stubborn side to him too, he walks, looks at me and then continues to walk.

I frequently change his direction if he doesn't listen and respect my 'ask' to go into a quicker pace. I don't let him keep walking... I could swear he laughs at me.
 
Thanks for replies

I use a lunge whip and have to constantly swish it to keep him trotting and use my voice!

Learning to crack is a good idea and I could just use that when I want canter.

Although I have a slight problem in that he doesn't really respect the lunge whip so have a feeling what ever I do he wont give a damn!

He gives me a look which says you can **%$ off I will trot but thats all your getting lady!

Putting little jump up is a good idea.

Regarding Hackamore..hopefully I will be able to ride after next week and am going to try a diff bit and see if that is better but I will keep that in the back of my mind.

Thanks
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Will have to let us know how you get on cracking it!

What is he like normally to canter when riding...is he lazy or quite forward???
 
When he thinks its fun..ie jumping or hunting he is lively and can be quite strong...when its boring ie the school he is a lazy mule.

When I am schooling him I am v strict with his responses and expect an immediate reaction or he gets a smack. He is quite response due to this so cantering in the school whilst riding isn't a problem!

Now I am on the ground and he knows I can't "make" him do it he wont! Cheeky bugger!

Oh well I supoose trot is better than nothing! Will keep you updated!
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Hehe he sounds very cheeky!!!

Maybe you could try having some one follow him around with the whip so its closer to him. One the ponies on old yard was rather lazy on the lunge and would try anything to get out of cantering, she even reared up a few times. In the end i was left in middle of the school with lunge rope whilst her owner was running around with her to encourage her on with the whip (not hitting her though) i think it was the most exhausting lunging session i have ever done. But now am at new yard and because having to lunge buddy all the kids all want to lunge their ponies to so have them all begging me to show them how to lunge their ponies...no wonder my arms constantly ache lol.
If he wont at all go into canter try to get as many fast and slower paces of trot out of him then he can't be compeltley lazy lol.
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Re the sore mouth, I'd be careful if you are applying haemorrhoid cream to the inside of a horse's mouth. Haemorrhoid cream is designed to shrink the dilated blood vessels associated with piles so it could do serious damage to the sensitive lining of your horse's mouth. A useful rule is that if you would be happy to put it in your own mouth/eye/nose/mucosal membranes then it's probably ok for your horse. If YOU wouldn't want in or on any of YOUR sensitive tissues, don't put it on your horse!
 
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