Bucking on lunge- how to stop!

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thehorsediva

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Hi all,

My new horse I have only had 3 months has obviously been taught/ been accustomed to being stuck on lunge to let off steam which generally encompasses a huge buck or two then working v nicely. I really want him to learn that bucking is not acceptable on lunge but how do I go about this? I use side reins, long to warm up as without these he is v unpredictable to start with. Obviously I know it's preferable to let them warm up / cool down without them So that's what I am working towards!! Any ideas on how I can teach him not to buck on lunge??!! How should I react when he does? Any equipment ( and I am not a gadget fan!!) that might help stop this behaviour? Thanks for any advice x
 
I wouldn't worry about it TBH, just work him through it. If you ignore it hopefully over time he will realise that it achieves nothing and will stop doing it.
 
Personally I never mind a buck or two on the lunge, it shows they're still alive and feeling well ;) but the best thing is to send the horse forwards, as soon as the bucks come and they soon learn that buck = more work. Works for me anyway.
 
thehorsediva said:
Hi all,

My new horse I have only had 3 months has obviously been taught/ been accustomed to being stuck on lunge to let off steam which generally encompasses a huge buck or two then working v nicely. I really want him to learn that bucking is not acceptable on lunge but how do I go about this? I use side reins, long to warm up as without these he is v unpredictable to start with. Obviously I know it's preferable to let them warm up / cool down without them So that's what I am working towards!! Any ideas on how I can teach him not to buck on lunge??!! How should I react when he does? Any equipment ( and I am not a gadget fan!!) that might help stop this behaviour? Thanks for any advice x
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Surely it is better that he bucks on the lunge and not under saddle? Are you riding him as well? The more work you can give him, both on the lunge and under saddle will probably cure the joy de vive of glad to be live bucking because he is fresh......if he continues to do it everytime, either on the lunge or under saddle - then possibly he is bucking, not because he is fresh, but because he is rebelling against always being asked to move in 20M circles - or something is hurting.........?
 
Yes I understand its better on lunge than when ridden. He gets plenty of work so don't think it is a freshness thing, plus we do a variety to keep his brain working and guessing. I just want him to learn that it's work time not play time which at the mo I think he thinks its all fun n games when I am on end of lunge line lol. He is not usually an overly fresh or sharp horse at all, just when there is a lunge line about!!
 
thehorsediva said:
Yes I understand its better on lunge than when ridden. He gets plenty of work so don't think it is a freshness thing, plus we do a variety to keep his brain working and guessing. I just want him to learn that it's work time not play time which at the mo I think he thinks its all fun n games when I am on end of lunge line lol. He is not usually an overly fresh or sharp horse at all, just when there is a lunge line about!!
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Possibly stop the lunging and turn him out as much as possible?
 
If horse isn't turned out then it will need to let off some steam on the lunge. You could try turning him out in the lunge pen/whatever other enclosed space you have before work to get it out of his system.
 
FfionWinnie- good to know, same applies with him at the moment lol!!

Yes he has plenty of turn out- around 8-10 hours a day at mo.

Hopefully its just something he will grow out of...
 
Provided they stay out whilst they do it, bucking etc whilst warming up doesn't bother me at all. With young, or unbalanced, or horses that are older & less supple, I find they often need to either have a buck, or have a good, or even rather fast canter on the lunge first, to loosen off properly before working nicely.
 
Surely it is a good thing he gets it out of his system then gets on with work? He isn't being naughty just energetic and happy? Especially if he is a youngster. Mine does enormous bucks as he knowd what is coming and he is loving his backing process. After two or three he settles down.
 
I think if he just does it a few times and then starts working nicely, rather than intermittently throwing tantrums, he is just letting off steam and I would let him.

Like Littlelegs says sometimes young horses buck due to being unbalanced so need to sort themselves out first!
 
I let mine buck on the lunge, if I don't he bucks under saddle which isn't nice!

I agree with sending them on afterwards - bucking = more work. That works for mine the odd time he DOES buck when I am riding..
 
I never allow bucking on the lunge ever if they ever do ( and they often arrive with the idea that playing on the lunge is acceptable ) I pull them staight onto a small circle and stop them and chastise them with my voice they sharp learn its not allowed here .
Horses should never ever think its acceptable to buck in any inter action with a human , playing in the field is ok but never ever near a human .
Lunging here is for training not letting off steam.
 
My girl regularly does it, and tanks off on tight circles at full speed, if she is just lunged through the bridle. If she has the side reins on she behaves impeccably.
 
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