Horse wont lunge

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horseluver4eva

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My horse is amazing in every way possible, and does everything i ask of her! she has her moments but what horse doesnt! when im leading her she is great and will go where i ask her to. However when i put her on the lunge it is like i own a totally different horse!! She used to be great on the lunge and a few month ago she was jumping on the lunge! now its a different story...had been away for a few days so i decided to lunge her before getting on so she wouldnt be to fresh!bad idea! I sent her out on the circle she started walking i clucked for her to go forward she stopped put her ears right back and looked really angrily at me as if to say get lost! she then barged towards me so i cracked the whip then she tried to bolt but i pulled her back. She then started broncing. I thought it might be the whip as i had bought a new lunging set so i sort of desensitized her to it but she still wasnt having any of it. I called it a day and rode her instead in case there was something wrong but she was raring to go as usual! Ever since then she will not lunge and she is becoming dangerous to lunge when she used to be perfect! She will walk, trot and a slow canter and even jump if im running beside of her just not lunge!i am now scared to lunge her as im scared she will hurt me! any advice please?? some people i know at my yard have tried and she is still very highly strung then too!
 
Be careful if using 2 lines if you have never done it before. Start off long -reining where you are walking behind her.
I have witnessed a horse who really didn't like being lunged, spin so quickly that they became dangerously tangled with two lines.
Or better still don't lunge her.
 
I can give another vote for two lines. What you described sounds exactly like my boy 6months ago. I starting using two lines so he couldn't turn in on me and charge. I now lunge on just one line and if he doesn't move away straight away if I just shake the end of the line he moves away. While your practicing on two lines try using voice commands. I used away when he tried to turn in and using the second line to move him away from me. Now I can just say away and he will move away from me. Also works at tea time in the stable. It's hard work and you might get a few unplanned skiing lessons but 6 months down the line it'll be we'll worth it!!! Good luck x
 
cambrica said:
Be careful if using 2 lines if you have never done it before. Start off long -reining where you are walking behind her.
I have witnessed a horse who really didn't like being lunged, spin so quickly that they became dangerously tangled with two lines.
Or better still don't lunge her.
Click to expand...

The video link shows longreining first hen moving on to lunge with 2 reins :D
 
Thanks everybody and the video is really helpful! i will try the long reining first as ive had a few disasters with lunge lines and things in the past:) hopefully this will help:)
 
Wait a minute. The horse is broncing, charging about, and attempted to run off, and the op is advised to put two reins on and walk behind!! If the horse has never felt ropes around hocks or been trained into two ropes, it could end in tears.

OP, be careful. It takes a bit of prep to get started on long-reining. It may help if you train your mare to yield her head, neck, and shoulder before you try to lunge her again. She must be taught to go on on the circle without attempting to turn in or challenge you in any way.

ETA Sorry Cambrica, I hadn't read your post.
 
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Learn to long rein first using a cooperative horse/pony that does it well. There's skill to it that you need to master before you attempt it with an uncooperative horse or you'll just end up in a mess.
 
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