Double lunge/long-reining experts…

[iknowmyvalue]

I’m wanting to do more of this with Pepsi, as think it will be good for him but I need a bit of troubleshooting help.

On the right rein he’s constantly pulling out on the circle so I end up with constant pressure on the inside rein trying to keep him with me. I’ve tried giving and releasing the inside rein but every time you release the circle just gets that bit bigger.

I’ve tried using the outside rein like the outside leg to stop him falling out but he just turns out or stops. I’ve tried having the inside rein shorter to make sure there’s no pressure on the outside rein, better but still constant pulling.

On the left rein he’s absolutely fine. Weirdly I’d have said that he’s more prone to falling in on the right rein than falling out. The latest time I did it off a cavesson in case it was the pressure on his mouth he didn’t like (he’s got a very sensitive mouth that gets sores incredibly easily due to old scarring).

Any ideas? I know the answer might be to have a long reining lesson, in which case my question is how do you go about finding an instructor to teach that?!

 

[TPO]

Position yourself more to the inside of the circle, in line with his right eye when he's on the circle, rather than directly behind him. From that position you can move the inside hip and ribs*, and therefore shoulder, out towards the outside track/not falling in.

*if this is established with groundwork first

 

[Sossigpoker]

He might not be balanced enough to work on a circle on the right rein. When has he last seen a physio or chiropractor? I would rule out physical issues first and then make the circle bigger. In fact I us most of the school when lunging (with two reins) . It may just be that he physically can't work on a circle and balance himself yet.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

He might not be balanced enough to work on a circle on the right rein. When has he last seen a physio or chiropractor? I would rule out physical issues first and then make the circle bigger. In fact I us most of the school when lunging (with two reins) . It may just be that he physically can't work on a circle and balance himself yet.

He sees the physio every 10wks and last saw her 2wks ago. He’s 100% sound and physio/dentist etc. all happy with him.

He does get tight down his left side and finds bending right harder than left. Much better than he was though. So I think that’s definitely part of the problem.

He can do a circle of that size under saddle perfectly well but suppose that’s different with more aids to support him. Think I’m possibly asking too much of him too soon on that rein and maybe need to make right rein easier while he builds strength/balance.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Position yourself more to the inside of the circle, in line with his right eye when he's on the circle, rather than directly behind him. From that position you can move the inside hip and ribs*, and therefore shoulder, out towards the outside track/not falling in.

*if this is established with groundwork first

Thanks, that’s a good idea. We’ve been doing weekly groundwork sessions for a while now using those sorts of cues so I’m hoping he would understand if I were to ask him like that.

 

[rara007]

How does he lunge with side reins that way?
And is it in all locations or is there a napping element?

 

[iknowmyvalue]

How does he lunge with side reins that way?
And is it in all locations or is there a napping element?

Fine with side reins! Hence why I’m wondering if it’s something im doing wrong…

And no it’s all locations, doesn’t matter where you are in the arena he does it for the whole circle (though obviously if he’s against the fence it stops it)

 

[Goldenstar]

He’s a crooked horse , pushing the outside shoulder out on the right rein and the left shoulder in on the left rein .
The lunge is just showing up the problem
I do do walk to straighten the horse on the ground in walk but it’s not lunging in circles in the classic sense .
I work about six feet from the horse walking with him right about the school so not circles on the lunge .
I would probaly ride this horse to train the straightness I really only lunge when lunging is really going to help and if this is an ingrained issue I think you will be better to be up top .

 

[Trouper]

... and lots of carrot stretches on his tight side to help him keep those muscles loose.

 

[sbloom]

I would find a good bodyworker/rehab specialist who can, without massive expense, give you a straightening programme, or look at resources from people like Manolo Mendez, Jec Ballou and others. When a horse is on the lunge, especially if you don't believe in small circles, it's a long way away from you and much harder to influence. The body needs to be released (hopefully your bodyworker has taken care of that) but then shown how to move in a better, straighter way, which almost always involves lifting the thoracic sling. It's easier to show a horse how to do that with close in-hand work.

 

[blitznbobs]

have you tried hooking the inside rein through the bit and to the d of a saddle or roller, This way you can use the inside rein to ask for more of a bend more easily.

 

[iknowmyvalue]

He’s a crooked horse , pushing the outside shoulder out on the right rein and the left shoulder in on the left rein .
The lunge is just showing up the problem
I do do walk to straighten the horse on the ground in walk but it’s not lunging in circles in the classic sense .
I work about six feet from the horse walking with him right about the school so not circles on the lunge .
I would probaly ride this horse to train the straightness I really only lunge when lunging is really going to help and if this is an ingrained issue I think you will be better to be up top .

thanks, yes it is definitely an ingrained issue from before I got him. I can definitely do walk work round the school from behind. But makes sense that would be easier to sort from up top and fits with me feeling it when riding but being able to correct more easily. Strangely though I’d have said he actually tends to fall through his right shoulder when ridden as he doesn’t bend right as well…

... and lots of carrot stretches on his tight side to help him keep those muscles loose.

sadly harder than you’d think with this horse but we’ll keep persevering! (It’s not that he can’t do it but he won’t follow treats so it’s hard to lure the stretch)

I would find a good bodyworker/rehab specialist who can, without massive expense, give you a straightening programme, or look at resources from people like Manolo Mendez, Jec Ballou and others. When a horse is on the lunge, especially if you don't believe in small circles, it's a long way away from you and much harder to influence. The body needs to be released (hopefully your bodyworker has taken care of that) but then shown how to move in a better, straighter way, which almost always involves lifting the thoracic sling. It's easier to show a horse how to do that with close in-hand work.

thank you that’s very helpful! I’ll look at the people you mention. Yes we are doing a lot of work with poles and lateral work to open his thoracic sling to help keep him straight. It’s going to be a long term project as we’ve got at least 3-4yrs of incorrect work to undo but I feel he is definitely making a lot of progress (and all professionals involved with him agree).

have you tried hooking the inside rein through the bit and to the d of a saddle or roller, This way you can use the inside rein to ask for more of a bend more easily.

I’ve not done that with him, but have with other horses before. He doesn’t usually get lunged in a bit but definitely something to try, I’m just incredibly precious about his mouth as don’t want to make him sore.

 

[Polos Mum]

If he's sensitive I would stick to attaching the reins to the side of headcollar or caversson rather than the bit. the weight of a lunge line loop is quite a heavy on the mouth even if you have no contact.
A more than usually tight headcollar so it doesn't slip round.
You're then almost in the position of lunging in a bitless bridle.

Might be worth trying to see if it's easier or if it makes you happier to work him through it without the concern that you will make his mouth sore.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I’m wanting to do more of this with Pepsi, as think it will be good for him but I need a bit of troubleshooting help.

On the right rein he’s constantly pulling out on the circle so I end up with constant pressure on the inside rein trying to keep him with me. I’ve tried giving and releasing the inside rein but every time you release the circle just gets that bit bigger.

I’ve tried using the outside rein like the outside leg to stop him falling out but he just turns out or stops. I’ve tried having the inside rein shorter to make sure there’s no pressure on the outside rein, better but still constant pulling.

On the left rein he’s absolutely fine. Weirdly I’d have said that he’s more prone to falling in on the right rein than falling out. The latest time I did it off a cavesson in case it was the pressure on his mouth he didn’t like (he’s got a very sensitive mouth that gets sores incredibly easily due to old scarring).

Any ideas? I know the answer might be to have a long reining lesson, in which case my question is how do you go about finding an instructor to teach that?!

Where are you? I can recommend long reining trainers in surrey. Maybe someone can recommend a trainer?

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Where are you? I can recommend long reining trainers in surrey. Maybe someone can recommend a trainer?

East Lincolnshire so Surrey probably a bit far!

Had a chat to my dressage instructor in my lesson tonight and we seem to have found a few ridden exercises that work for him under saddle. She’s offered to have a look the next time she’s over this way to see if she’s got any other suggestions.

 

[Trouper]

When you say he "won't follow" treats, do you mean he is not interested in them - in any direction - or he doesn't want to follow with his tight side? If the latter, then it does sound as if he is in a lot of discomfort trying to move that side?

 

[iknowmyvalue]

When you say he "won't follow" treats, do you mean he is not interested in them - in any direction - or he doesn't want to follow with his tight side? If the latter, then it does sound as if he is in a lot of discomfort trying to move that side?

He’ll take them (suspiciously) if you offer them right under his nose but no, he won’t seek them out in any direction. Last night was the first time he’s taken a single step forward to take one over the door in 6mo. Took me about a month to get him to take one at all!

 

[rara007]

Long rein with side reins on for now? Just stops you having to work so hard on the balance!

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Long rein with side reins on for now? Just stops you having to work so hard on the balance!

That’s what dressage instructor suggested! Side reins to the bit and long lines to a cavesson. Will try that at some point next week