Is it naughtiness, babyness, or is he hurting?

benson21

benson21

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I lunged donovan last week and he would go on the left rein quite happily, walk trot and canter, could see no problem. Right rein I would get half a circle then he would stop and try and go the other way. When we got back to the yard he had a huge wee so I thought maybe thats the problem. But last night i had exactly the same! But he had a wee before we lunged. I put up a little cross pole which he jumped hugly then bucked and cat leaped round! But only again on the right rein. Not sure if he is just being a baby, buggering about or is hurting. What do you think???
 
Probably just finds it easier on the one rein. A lot of babies try to go the way that is easiest.

I would try and do some spiralling and other suppleing exercises see if that helps.

my WB at first would have a fit if asked to canter on the right rein, he just panicked and reared. I kept him in trot on that rein for a while and worked on his suppleness and now he is fine
 
Impossible to tell at this stage I would think.
Do you usually lunge him on the left rein first? If so I would try lunging on the right rein first and see if that makes a difference. If it does, I think you have your answer, he was tired and finds the left rein easier.
 
I had the physio out to my boy as he’s been terrible in the school on his right rein, including difficulty getting right canter (not an issue before) and leg yield issues. She was expecting to see a pelvis issue but his backend got a totally clean bill of health. The only issue she found with him were that where he has gained new muscle his saddle is pinching his withers but equally on both sides. Therefore the only reason we could think for the one sidedness was because last year/start of this year we only hacked out and when he canters out hacking he just uses his left lead so he’s just built up more muscle on that rein.
 
My 5yro had the same problem, she grew out of it after weeks of trying. We had vet out to check and YO who was magic! She suggested putting out cones, poles, jumps bottle, plastic sheets you get the idea. We did all of this all at once so they constantly had something to think about, as soon as she had gone past one thing there was another thing to look at. I wouldn't lunge her over the jump but it was there so she could look at it, we put the scary fillers under aswell. After about 3 sessions of everything we gradually reduced what we put out and touch wood now that there is nothing there she goes perfectly both ways. Hope this helps :) x
 
I have tried lunging from the right first but there is still the problem. he just stops dead and when I ask for him to go on he either tries to rear or spins round the other way and onto the other rein.
Sov n dom, yes he is always led from the near side, so will try from the other side, thanks for that.
Maybe he is just trying me out now he has found his feet!
 
Yep we long rein prob about once a week which he is absolutely fine with. maybe do a bit more of that and less lunging then.We also do some free schooling a couple of times a week.
 
My youngster does that too. It's just a 'thing' some can youngsters do. It's almost as if they're only confident going around one way and panic when asked to go the other way. Have you some one you could ask to be your assistant, to walk him round quietly on the right rein on the lunge? As he gets the idea and is more willing going that way, your assistant can remove the lead rope but still walk beside him and gradually move away until he's going on his own. But don't rush. :)
 
bakedbean said:
I personally don't ever lunge anything of mine..I don't like the strain it puts on joints
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Lunging can be extremely useful when done correctly and for brief, productive periods. It's extremely useful for teaching a young horse voice commands and for developing a little balance before ridden work commences. I wouldn't ban it from my repertoire altogether but equally I wouldn't be lunging several times a week, endlessly. Everything in moderation! :)
 
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Aaaw, I don't think it's funny. I think it's good to see someone showing that all sizes and types of horse/pony are versatile! Good for him!!! Mind you, don't think I'll be trying it with mine. LOL.
 
Spyda said:
Aaaw, I don't think it's funny. I think it's good to see someone showing that all sizes and types of horse/pony are versatile! Good for him!!! Mind you, don't think I'll be trying it with mine. LOL.
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I was expecting to see a big horse and when the camera went down and showed a mini I laughed out loud at it's cuteness :o
 
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