Horse lunges well on one side but on the other turns round... Help?

sandi_84

sandi_84

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 November 2011
Messages
4,124
Visit site
Ok so Loki lunges fine on one rein but when you try to lunge him on the other rein it doesn't seem to matter even if you keep the "pressure" to move forwards on he spins and goes back to the rein he's more comfortable with. I have to stop and sort us out and try again but he does keep doing this :cool:
Any advice?
 
try using two lunge lines, with a saddle or roller and line on the far side through a loop/stirrup then round his bottom and nearside line as normal - its much easier to send them on and you can stop them ducking in towards you.
 
Can you work two lines? If so, use two.

Otherwise, you will just have to persevere. Be smarter than he is, always stay behind him and use as small a pen as you have to untill he's sorted. Doesn't take long but it's such a pain when you work so much harder than they do.
 
Do you have an instructor who can help you? Lungeing with two lines would stop this problem but wouldn't advise you try it unless you are experienced. Lungeing is really difficult to do correctly so a couple of lessons would get you and your horse well on track!
 
He actually spins away from me :cool:
Not at a yard anymore but the advice I was given from my RI at my last yard was keep pushing him forwards.
I've never lunged with two lines before but hopefully my aunt will be showing me how to long rein soon
 
My boy used to do that, he'd lunge perfectly well on the left rein, but was a disaster on the right rein. What worked for me was to start on the bad rein, and be in very close and gradually let him out. If I started on the good rein, I was in for a battle.
 
popeyesno1fan said:
My boy used to do that, he'd lunge perfectly well on the left rein, but was a disaster on the right rein. What worked for me was to start on the bad rein, and be in very close and gradually let him out. If I started on the good rein, I was in for a battle.
Click to expand...

Ooh thanks! Maybe that's where I'm going wrong because I always start on the good side :cool: I'll give that a try when my ground has dried up enough for lunging :D
 
I would suggest shortening the line and positioning yourself at his quarters and almost driving him forwards. As he settles, allow a longer line - it may be that your body position on his bad side is sending out mixed signals as well....
 
Coblover63 said:
I would suggest shortening the line and positioning yourself at his quarters and almost driving him forwards. As he settles, allow a longer line - it may be that your body position on his bad side is sending out mixed signals as well....
Click to expand...

It does seem to be worse when he's out on a longer line....
 
Here are a couple of pics of lunging with two lines (myself with a horse I was re-breaking for a friend).

The pics were taken on my phone by my partner :)

It's very easy to do once you get the hang of it!

(Was in the process of turning on to the other rein in this which is why it's tighter across her bottom)

image-3.jpg


image-4.jpg
 
Cheers ponyfeet, great pictures!
Would it work just as well for a horse that spins out and away before going in the opposite direction?
 
Yes it should do! As long as you keep him in check with the inside rein it should. Keep him busy though (poles, changing rein, stopping & moving on) so he doesn't get too bored as it sounds as though he's trying to entertain himself and wind up his mummy at the same time :D :D
 
PonyFeet10 said:
Yes it should do! As long as you keep him in check with the inside rein it should. Keep him busy though (poles, changing rein, stopping & moving on) so he doesn't get too bored as it sounds as though he's trying to entertain himself and wind up his mummy at the same time :D :D
Click to expand...

Ha ha cheeky menace that he is ;) Ok thanks ponyfeet, think I'm going to have to borrow a roller :rolleyes::D
 
My mare wouldn't lunge at all the way i got round it was to stand near her shoulder like your about to lead starting with the line about leading length and walking the circle with them and make the rope longer still parrell with the shoulder over each seesion and use the the lunge whip (if needed) to tickle them forward. it take afew weeks to get to the normal lunging lenght but once there comfortable you can then go back to the normal position.It does take some awhile to understand exactly what you want the length increase depends on how well they are with each length some need alittle more help and some get it in one go try not rush the increase.

Good luck :)
 
Sorry guys after Ponyfeet's suggestion I had all but forgotten about this thread, going to attempt the two rein lunge on thursday. I tell you finding time for simple things like this is waaay more difficult than I thought it was going to be when we moved ha ha! :D:rolleyes:
I think it's more the fact that before I got him he had never been schooled and I assume had never been lunged before. He has always been very one sided so I think we just need to take it nice and slow and back to basics. If this doesn't work I'll have someone out to see to him thanks everyone for the help and suggestions :D
 
Ali27 said:
I would get a physio check as horse might be stiff on that rein!
Click to expand...

Probably this as a starter - frequently see them not wanting to go one way when weaker hind leg is on the outside, or saddle restricting on inside shoulder - but a multitude of physical reasons.

Secondly - assuming you're aware horses don't connect what they see with one eye to what they then see with the other? Ie a scary bag on left side is observed as a totally new object when seen on right. Likewise lunging.
Did you say worse to go right? I would start by handling equally on each side. Then lead in circle from fit, gradually increasing length of line. Don't demand a circle, use long side of arena, get closer to him to halt. I tend to find it all starts to come together quite quick.
Two lines are certainly a more productive method in terms of lunging in any case, but can produce a false positive i think? I tend to be guided a bit more by the horses reactions - I wouldn't necessarily want to control the horse by a second line if there is a reason why he's turning in :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top