How to train to lunge..?

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jessikaGinger

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Basically at the moment my mare is VERY fat..she only gets a handfull of chaffe at bedtime and there is minimal grass in the field...

I cannot ride her on a night as we dont have a school however i could lunge her in the small field (if she knew how)

I attempted it but she just stands and looks Very confused..

She is not scared of whips and she Is abit lazy...

Any help Would be Much appreciated

Thanks :D
 
Do you know someone in your area who lunges regularly or a teacher perhaps. It's one of those things you need to be shown to be effective. There is a right way and a wrong way. I would also suggest going to a workshop at the equestrian centre perhaps?

Although see what you can fine on YouTube first, you may find a useful clip.
 
Get someone to lead her round on the outside, whilst you lunge.
Make sure the leader remains silent, and she is listening to your voice/aids, they are just there for her to get the idea that she should be moving!
Next step, take the leadrope off, and just have someone there for her to stick to/follow. You should be able to take your leader away after a few goes, once that she has established what she is supposed to be doing :)

Make sure you always remain behind the shoulder when lunging, to encourage her forward.

This has always worked for me. Added bonus, all my horses lunge without a whip, and don't fly round at 100mph because they have been chased.
 
Doing it on your own is harder unless your horse is very aware of your body language. The easiest way is to have a helper lead the horse on the circle (from the outside) as you give voice and/or whip aids from the centre. As she gets the idea your helper can move to just walking with her rather than leading and then leave altogether. It doesn't usually take long for them to get the idea.

If you don't have help you may have to start by making her more alert to your body language. I'd start by moving her hindquarters away from you - initially with your hand to gently push and then working to just swinging the rope or stepping towards her to ask for the movement. Once she's responsive to this on both reins you should find it much easier to ask her to move completely out and away with your body rather than the whip. You may need to point the whip towards her shoulder a little to send her out as well. Ultimately you want to put yourself in the 'driving' position to send her out and forwards and then you can shift back to 'neutral' (level with her shoulder) when she's in the pace you want.

Making sure your voice commands are spot-on should help too.

Otherwise, walking in hand - especially up and down hills - is pretty good exercise for a fatty if you have a spare 20-30 mins. :)
 
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