Advice on lunging youngster.

[MileAMinute]

We have a 2.5yo cob x (bit over, 3 in Feb) who we are in the process of starting the basics with ready for breaking next year.

He wears a bridle, bit, roller, boots etc. Want to introduce basic lunging.

He won't go out on a circle, he repeatedly turns in. He's fine when someone is walking with him out on the circle but as soon as they let go he falls in again, even though they are still walking next to him.

Tried using lunge whip/arm to create the 'lunging triangle' to guide him out, but he's completely unfazed. Completely! Any attempt to push him out falls on deaf ears.

Any advice? Sorry quick thread as laptop battery dying! x

 

[rockysmum]

Long rein him instead, lungeing isn't really good for youngsters

 

[LouS]

I don't like lunging one that young, I'd long line instead and only do a bit.

But that aside, if you want him to go left, hold your left hand/arm out to guide him and swing the end of the line at his inside shoulder then stop as soon as he goes out, when he comes in at you again do it again, they soon learn, you've got to mean it. By pushing his shoulder instead of his back end you are being more clear about what you want. However I never lunge in the traditional way with a whip, so if that's what you [refer then maybe someone else can offer you more relevant advice.

If you teach him to long ling instead, when he is old enough you can do it on a circle and guide him out, it is excellent for them but very hard work so I wouldn't do it with one so young.

 

[MileAMinute]

I don't intend on doing it a lot, I just want the fundamentals there. I am going to try and get long reining once the yard gets busier and I can nab someone! x

 

[MileAMinute]

He's 3 in Feb/March, forgot to add.

 

[PerlinoPlank]

Probably not very pony club approved, but I keep the lunge whip between me and her, if she comes in too far, she walks/trots into the end of the whip! Soon learnt

 

[AengusOg]

Teach the horse in-hand to yield the inside shoulder, then step in toward shoulder to move horse away, then drive on. If the horse starts to fall in, step toward the shoulder.

 

[siennamum]

teach on the lead rope to walk and halt off voice alone. Get horse in front of you (you at shoulder) and a couple of feet away and walk alongside, walk halt, repeatedly till he is really focussed on you. Have schooling whip in hand and poke him firmly in shoulder to get him away from you, when you lunge you should be able to point lunge whip at shoulder to keep horse out. You can walk lunge on a long lead rope to start with, he has to have the idea that when you say walk he walks straight on. You need to position yourself so that you are driving slightly, don't worry if you are running around a bit, so long as he is moving forwards.

Do all the above on both reins of course. Once he has picked that up - I'd turn him away, really doesn't need to know much more for a year or so.