Anyone's youngsters who simply wouldn't lunge?

have to admit lunging is not my favourite past time and i rarely do it, only one i have found it useful for was the youngster with the locking stifle, i would lunge him on the side of a bank so that he was having to really use the hind leg, it was easier than me running up and down the bank with him!!;)
 
No, they will all lunge.

I hate it when people say their horse won't/doesn't lunge, there are horses in their late teens on our yard that "won't" lunge, when in reality they just need teaching to!

I start them off with them being good in hand, moving quarters, shoulders away etc, then I drive them out at the shoulder until they get the idea to go. Alternatively if you have access to a round pen you can loose school them and they soon get the idea of going round in a circle.
 
Last edited:
My horse will not lunge. She will with two lines but it is really unsuccessful because I can't manage the two lines properly and it just ends up being a waste of time. I always go back to trying again with one line and she just walks in to me, when I get arsy or try to get her away with the lunge whip she literally comes closer and barges - I try to move more quickly to get behind her shoulder etc but nothing. I think that if I pushed her and pushed her she would go up as she looks to think about it (iykwim) while we are having this 'discussion'.

It isn't that she doesn't know how - she just won't. I thought that trying the two lines, and having lunge lessons (me riding) with one line would help but nothing.

I really want to lunge as it will be a welcome addition to our fitness regime.

Help?
 
As LouS and Aengusog have said the key is teaching close groundwork, control of the shoulders/ head etc before attempting to move the horse out. Teaching how to follow a feel so you have the horse walking and trotting round you at close quarters, ie left hand holding left rein by the bit little finger up to the bit, body language towards the shoulders push head gently out and then encourage gently forward with the other hand or schooling whip as a motivator ( not to hit) while you walk in a small circle. Done properly, quite quickly you will have the horse walking or trotting softly round you and can then slowly let the rein out ( or long rope). A simple technique which just takes a bit of practise.
Personally I'm not a great fan of lunging but it is useful to get a bit of tickle out of their toes :)
 
No, they'll all lunge - it's the handlers who "can't". But with a REALLY frightened youngster, a round pen is a very useful and non-threatening method. Even a circle of straw bales can help if they're being particularly dim.
 
To add - it is like we end up doing some sort of manic dance together, she follows my every step and WILL NOT move away. The other day I just tried to get her to stand while I took one step away and she would not have it. When she has that line on she basically wants to be touching me - work avoidance. I thought about going down the treat route but don't really want to....

Oh I should add - my mare is 12 and an angel under saddle! Sorry to thread hijack DD!!
 
Not a problem, I listen to you all and take it on board, I am very much a new owner in the sense of babies, only ever owned trained horses! He has totally sussed respect on the ground, he knows to stand when I open the stable door and wait for me to sort the door, he knows walk on, and i can turn his back end by raising my right arm, i can actually get him running around in circles in the yard both ways, he opens and shuts all the gates by me asking him to move just his back end, I really think we have this sort of thing sussed. Will carry on as we are, as regards asking alot of him at his age, we don't ask anything much of him, most days he comes down from his field for 10-20 mins and does something different every day followed by a bowl of food in his stable, he thoroughly enjoys the pampering, some days it's just a lesson in standing while he's groomed, the next day it might be a lesson in eating his food in the stable, or another day it may be a quick pick up of all 4 feet and a bridle on! Sessions are incredibly short and positive. This winter he will come in by night every day, so this will be a lesson in itself X
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top