Dumb lunging question..

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Dumbo

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(Please don't laugh or crit! - haven't lunged before)
I want to start lunging my tb for 15-20mins in the mornings (then hack slowly in the afternoons).
Had first session yesterday, but completely failed! He refused to walk around in a circle. I tried leading him then moving away and encouraging him with the whip but he kept turning in! Was a complete waste of time!
I've watched endless videos on lunging but just can't get the hang of it.
Tips needed please! :)
 
Try to stay behind his eye so you can push him forwards, also walk the circle with him, not right next to him obviously but do your own mini circle in the middle this will help you stay behind his eye and keep him going. It's extremely frustrating when you can't stop them from turning them in, I used the have this with my old horse. Another thing that helped with us was to start with really small circles, only in walk so I could push her out of necessary then gradually release the lunge line to make the circle bigger, this will help to get your position behind the eye and hopefully stop the turning in.

Hope that made sense and good luck :)
 
You really need to get yourself in the correct position to him [slightly behind] and send him forward with the whip but just be careful in case he lashes out. Think of a triangle with the whip , him and the lunge line as the 3 sides. If still no joy you could use a person to lead him from the outside. It is not easy with a novice horse and novice lunger.don't have the lunge line too long to start with and you walk the circle as well, with you slightly behind him. Good luck and be firm
 
It's a body language thing - you need to stay behind the girth line and drive the rear end strongly forwards while letting the front end just go, then if he tries to turn in, move quickly to stay behind the line of the girth and keep driving. Easier to show than to tell - is there anyone locally who might give you a lesson with him?
 
you could try longreining, that stops them from turning in, and they actually make a much better shape when they are lunging with 2 reins. Start off behind him, get him to move with your voice and maybe movement with your arms, walk with him and gradually move yourself out to one side so he's going round you (with one rein round his bum).
 
Try lunging with two reins - long reining on a circle. It's the only way I lunge now as it gives you total control, and allows you to work the horse with a normal contact rather than strapping their heads in with side reins etc.

My old boy was crap when I first got him, but having the outside rein to balance him made a huge difference. He would now canter round me without reins at all I'm sure!
 
You have to first teach the horse to yield his fore, ie his head, neck and, most importantly, his shoulder, so that you can step in toward his shoulder if he tries to fall in or turn in off the circle.

Simply driving a horse forward with a whip will probably cause the horse to turn in, unless he has already been trained to yield his fore.
 
Go and have a lunging lesson it will be money well spent or have someone call at your yard lunge your horse and teach you, it is a great skill to have so worth investing in.
 
Would recommend getting a how to lunge lesson but definitely not something to be laughed at for asking for.

When I started lungeing my ex racehorse he had no idea and I must admit I was a bit stumped as I have always had horses who knew how to lunge in the past. Echo the getting your position right but using poles can help as well. Hopefully once he understands what you want it will be fine.
 
Its difficult to know whst to say without seeing you lunge :) youve had good advice anyway, but it is always best to get someone to watch you do it (preferably an instructor)!
 
I'd say firstly get someone who can lunge to have a go with yours, so you can see how much of the problem is you, & how much is his lack of experience. Then get someone to show you how to lunge with one that knows the ropes.
 
Get yourself a good instructor who can teach you and your horse to lunge and then help you progress together. Lungeing is an art so don't be embarrassed asking for help!
 
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