Horse playing up on lunge

[Supertrooper]

Well this afternoon was interesting as I attempted to lunge the big lad (16.3hh shire x cob) for the first time since we've had him (sept 2010). We were told my his last owners that he was fine to lunge but it wasn't the case today! I had him in bridle with lunge line going through one bit ring and clipped onto other ring and wore my hat + gloves luckily.

Because he had a tendon injury approx 11 months ago on right fore I did him on left rein first so he had chance to warm up and also planned to keep him on a large circle being as he's a big lad.

Anyway I walked him round circle first and then gradually asked him to go round me while backing away and feeding the lunge line out...... Provoked a tantrum or something similar from him as he was bucking/rearing but coming towards me. I told him off verbally, walked him round another circuit and asked again and got same response. I didn't really know how to proceed as wasn't sure I'd of won the argument if you get what I mean. So instead we did in hand stuff, walking by my shoulder, halt to walk transitions, changes of rein and backing up - again there was a bit of resistance (although not as extreme) but then he concentrated and did really well.

I want to be able to lunge him as it's something I could do when pushed for time and would be good for his fitness. He isn't a nasty horse but does like to test the boundaries and also is very sensitive so does the I can't do it route and then settles. My gut instinct today was him pushing me and a little bit of trying to intimidate me also but he doesn't scare me and I know I have to be the confident one in our relationship.

Any thoughts? I thought about trying again but with someone walking alongside him on his outside till he settles and then dropping away. Oh and also he is terrified of whips so I don't really want to use a lunge whip if I can get away with it xx

 

[ThePony]

My mare was a bugger when I first started lunging her. She knew what to do and she knew what I was asking her to do - what she didn't know and wanted to find out was how much she could get away with!

She came around fairly quickly, I nust need to make sure I lunge her in a very calm but assertive way. Any request she feels is too sudden is greeted by a bronk! We can now do promt transitions up and down by voice, backed up by a little flick of the whip if she is trying it on! She knows the game is up now and I know to always ask in a v calm fashion first before insisting straight away if she isn't keeping up her end of the deal!

I would persevere and make him walk/trot around you - no facing off or invading your space (bloody rude!), just firmly send him on again. If he has a temper tantrum and rushes off, then keep him on at that pace just a little after when he wants to stop, then bring him back to the pace of your choice and carry on - it soon stops being such fun belting off when it turns into work!

 

[Booboos]

If he was bucking and pissing around away from you, I would say let him get on with it, he's just letting off steam, but if he is turning towards you to buck or rear in your personal space that sounds like he is trying to dominate you and it might be best to deal with that. I assume the usual body language stuff (facing him, square shoulders, direct eye contact) didn't work for you. If he is scared of whips, wouldn't it help if you had one (lunge whip)? You wouldn't need to use it or terrify him with it, just raise it between you when he comes too close to keep him away and yourself safe. .

 

[sugarpuff]

I never move away from my horse, I always make him move away from me. If he has a hoolie at the end of the lunge line I let him get on with it. Can't really add much more than what others have said as my boy is pretty good to be lunged. I step sideways towards his bum and he speeds up and if I step the other way as if to block him in front he will stop, even if he's feeling a bit fresh. But agree with comments made by others. Good luck!

 

[Holz]

Could you get somebody to walk him round first of all whilst your in the middle?
or you could long rein him first get him listening to your voice then lunge him with two lunge lines then youv got abit more control of where hes heading! hope you get it sorted its a pain when the naughty to lunge! Bellas the same and rears up when i ask her to go out in to a circle! perseverance and stand your ground

 

[Rouletterose]

Well this afternoon was interesting as I attempted to lunge the big lad (16.3hh shire x cob) for the first time since we've had him (sept 2010). We were told my his last owners that he was fine to lunge but it wasn't the case today! I had him in bridle with lunge line going through one bit ring and clipped onto other ring and wore my hat + gloves luckily.

Because he had a tendon injury approx 11 months ago on right fore I did him on left rein first so he had chance to warm up and also planned to keep him on a large circle being as he's a big lad.

Anyway I walked him round circle first and then gradually asked him to go round me while backing away and feeding the lunge line out...... Provoked a tantrum or something similar from him as he was bucking/rearing but coming towards me. I told him off verbally, walked him round another circuit and asked again and got same response. I didn't really know how to proceed as wasn't sure I'd of won the argument if you get what I mean. So instead we did in hand stuff, walking by my shoulder, halt to walk transitions, changes of rein and backing up - again there was a bit of resistance (although not as extreme) but then he concentrated and did really well.

I want to be able to lunge him as it's something I could do when pushed for time and would be good for his fitness. He isn't a nasty horse but does like to test the boundaries and also is very sensitive so does the I can't do it route and then settles. My gut instinct today was him pushing me and a little bit of trying to intimidate me also but he doesn't scare me and I know I have to be the confident one in our relationship.

Any thoughts? I thought about trying again but with someone walking alongside him on his outside till he settles and then dropping away. Oh and also he is terrified of whips so I don't really want to use a lunge whip if I can get away with it xx

If that was the first time you had attempted to lunge him since September 2010, then it doesn't sound too bad to me, just high spirits and perfectly normal, you can't expect to leave a horse that long..6 months! and expect him to be beautifully behaved! Just keep at it wear your hat and gloves, use your voice for commands if he doesn't like a whip, but you have to be consistent and get into a routine then the horse knows where he is, and can work out whats required of him.