Improving forward aids on the lunge

[Flying_Form]

Hi everyone,

I recently have bought a 6 year old Irish Cob who is just a fabulous horse. He has the best attitude and is so honest and kind. When riding him, he is really really responsive to all aids, especially voice aids. However, I noticed he was really lacking when it came to lunging. I asked his previous owners if they had experienced this and they said they ‘never lunged him because he was so quiet, they always hopped right on’ (you see the problem with this is I’m not lunging because he is fresh or strong, I have a lunge day for all of my horses because it just varies their training and just improves their way of going… they did not understand this outlook but whatever ?)

I was wondering if you have any tips for getting him more forward on the lunge? He will walk no problem, trot no problem (I just have to consistently click at him so he doesn’t fall out of it), but to get him to canter is a whole sweaty workout!!! When riding him I just have to sit on my bum and give a light squeeze and he does the most beautiful transition into a canter, but I need serious advice on how to get him a bit more forward on the lunge line.

As you can clearly tell - help is needed!!?

 

[LEC]

You just back up your voice aids with the lunge whip and be consistent with it. I don’t use the lunge whip on them - either move it suddenly with a waggle if they ignore the voice or whip the floor behind them if nothing happens at all and you need to shock them into forwards. It’s hard work to begin with but they just need to associate the voice with what you want. Click, if nothing happens do something about getting forwards. On one terrible horse I have had a plastic bag attached to the whip and that worked a treat just shaking it behind them.
Like when riding, if you continually nag then they ignore what you are asking. It needs to be short and sharp, then you are quiet again until they ignore you again.

 

[Leandy]

Agree with above. Keep the circle small so you have more reach and control with the whip and use it clearly but effectively. Hone your whip cracking skills! Once the horse has obeyed for the forward aid promptly, you can let them enlarge the circle a part of the reward. If they start ignoring voice and whip again on the larger circle, make it smaller smartish until the response is reinstilled again. Be absolutely consistent and zero tolerance for ignoring you and it will soon improve.

 

[tristar]

i would not expect a horse to canter well on the lunge without a lot of steady training, unless it was naturally very forwards, i would practice transitions up and down on a very large circle or square, and keep it steady, its not an easy thing for them to do well, and only well will do them any good

i have one who does beautiful small canter circles round me, very engaged and with a lot of offered bend and self carriage, but it took many years!

 

[Jango]

As the ridden work is good, it seems like a lack of understanding. As a first try I would pop a rider on, get warmed up then put him on the lunge. You use your lunging canter aids (voice, whip etc) at the same time as they ask for canter while on him. A few sessions I bet he'll get the idea! Also stop the constant clicking, he needs to go forward until you ask him to stop rather than needing constant encouragement.
Also what training aids are you using (if any?) I would take everything off and lunge in a caverson until he understands forwards. Then introduce v loose side reins when he understands.

 

[SEL]

I use a click for the walk, trot transition and a kissing noise to ask for canter. Perhaps establish a voice command like that under saddle and then take it into your lunge sessions. Presume he can canter a small circle ridden so it isn't a physical issue?

 

[Flying_Form]

As the ridden work is good, it seems like a lack of understanding. As a first try I would pop a rider on, get warmed up then put him on the lunge. You use your lunging canter aids (voice, whip etc) at the same time as they ask for canter while on him. A few sessions I bet he'll get the idea! Also stop the constant clicking, he needs to go forward until you ask him to stop rather than needing constant encouragement.
Also what training aids are you using (if any?) I would take everything off and lunge in a caverson until he understands forwards. Then introduce v loose side reins when he understands.

I actually only use a cavesson on him at the moment as he naturally has very good self carriage, but as well he has no experience lunging much so I don’t want to add in other training aids and put too much pressure on him. That is a great idea about putting a rider on him while lunging I might try it out, and I will try my best to only use voice aids when I want him to go rather than constantly. When riding he is actually quite good for this, but lunging not so much so definitely something to work on thanks ?

 

[Flying_Form]

I use a click for the walk, trot transition and a kissing noise to ask for canter. Perhaps establish a voice command like that under saddle and then take it into your lunge sessions. Presume he can canter a small circle ridden so it isn't a physical issue?

I might start establishing different vocal commands as I’ve noticed he picks things up very quickly so I’m sure he would pick this up too and it would certainly prevent any mixed signals! Not a physical issue, he had a full vetting before I got him anyway but from the ground and being ridden there seems to be no physical issues! Thanks for the help ?

 

[rara007]

Consistency! And the same as ridden aids- don’t ask 6 times. Ask nicely once, then ask to ensure you get a response, then say well done and be quiet. Constant chatter just muddies the water.