Help needed on lunging!

bmw

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I have a 10 year old Anglo Arab gelding and no matter what I try I cannot get him moving forward on the lunge without having to chase him, shout and do all sorts of flicks and swooshes with the whip. By the time we've been lunging for 20 minutes I'm practically laying out flat in the middle of the menage and having an asthma attack and he's finally moving forward but not without my constant telling him to move. There HAS to be an easier way to get him moving forward and responsive to my telling him to do so. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
P.S when I'm riding he moves beautifully forward without too much leg needing to be used.
 
Watching this for replies as my horse is either so badly behaved he doesn't lunge, or he is just lazy! I use 2 Ropes but it doesn't really help so hopefully some experienced helpful ppl will come with a solution!
 
It sounds like he has got used to the nagging and just takes it for granted that your going to keep nagging and not following through!!

If I were you I would start by tying a plastic bag onto the end of the lunge line to see if that creates some forward momentum. If this fails I would bring him in on a small ish circle so you can tickle him with the lunging whip and insist when you say 'trot on' it happens instantly not in a few strides/when he feels like it, if he ignores the tickle I would be inclined to get after him and mean it, he MUST go forward!! As soon as he goes forward praise him and allow it!!

If all else fails at least your getting a good work out!!
 
What equipment do you use to lunge in? Is it possible for example that he is receiving conflicting aids? You say you flick and swoosh with the whip but have you ever given him a non negotiable crack with it?
 
I had a horse who would not move forward on the lunge as well. I agree with using a plastic bag tied to the end of the lunge whip however you still want him to listen to you and not just run around. I started lunging my horse on a small circle and really working on voice commands. It took A LOT of lunging sessions but if you mix it up a bit it won't be so boring.

Basically, you ask for a nice forward walk, don't stop asking until he does it then relax yourself and tell him good boy, continue for all transitions but don't expect him to be perfect right away. Once he learns these commands and can do upwards and downwards transitions you can loose the lunging whip and it becomes sooo much easier as you are no longer nagging him. He knows the commands and will know you mean business.
 
I've heard about the plastic bag thing but I'm a tad reluctant to use it as I don't want to encourage him to run away from it in fear and then if I was on a hack and a plastic bag is flapping around he would start spooking at it.

I have tried all sorts of whips, cracked them, flicked him on the bum with the end, swung it around above my head, run it along the ground. Will work for the first few times then he gets comfortable with it and isn't bothered by it anymore.

Sometimes I just use a head collar, sometimes just a cavesson, bridle, bridle and cavesson with Vienna reins attached to bridle, he goes the same in all of them.

I've had other people try lunging him as well and he's still the same.
 
I was taught by a lovely gentle horse whisper that when lunging, the first time you ask gently, the second time you ask strongly and the third time you ask full blast with no excuse, and even if the horse canters on you reward it because you asked for forward and it responded. Then the next few times you ask, it is quicker off the mark but will conserve its energy and usually go forward t a slower pace. The base issue is always getting the horse to respond immediately when you ask.
 
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