Lunge trouble today

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Torryvald

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I have been lunging my young horse for about 2 months now, about three times a week and for no more than about 10 minutes. I have started doing a little trot, but not much as I am focusing on getting him used to commands.

It has all been going brilliantly until today when he managed to get away from me. A few things happened including a low flying jet (common around here so he is fairly used to them) a yappy dog passing by and one of the horses was out on a hack.

Anyway, I am the first to admit that I am learning alot and I have had three lunge lessons now and lots of books, so I am trying to do the best I can by him, so please please don't be too hard on me.
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I managd to catch him back up after he did 10 laps of the arena in full out gallop screaming the whole time(he broke the lunge line). He was so wound up when I caught him I turned him back out for 15 mins. I then caught him, brushed him and then lightly lunged him on both reins again (maybe a couple of minutes each rein). He was fine this time.

I am just worried that he has now learnt what to do if he wants out of work and that he can use his strength to get out of work. Any advice gratefully received.
 
That sounds like an idea. I want to move on to long reining once he has got the basics in lunging. Would I attach the reins to the bit? I have bitted him, but not attached anything to the bit yet, but maybe this would be the next progression. I am just aware that it is important to nip any potential problems in the bud when they happen. I may get another session from my instructor too!
Thanks
 
Mine has done this to me a few times. She still has her little silly-sessions where she'll do a few handstands and try breaking away and at 16.1 of strapping irishness, that's alot of horse to hold onto!

It's good that you got him back on the lunge and carried on as before, he should know that pratting around won't get him out of serious work.

When mine misbehaves (she doesn't do it as much now) I do start shouting or yelling at her, it just makes it worse (and sometimes encourages them) just stay cool and let him settle then firmly get on with what you should be doing.

Can you lunge in a smaller space so he can't get away from you - maybe section off half the school with some poles/blocks. And an extra pair of knowledgable hands will help. What about using two reins to lunge? will give more control, you could also work on long-reining to help him learn that you must be listened to!

It's not a major disaster, anyway.
 
Thanks Moodi mare. I have to say i was a bit gob smacked at the rate he took off and his bucks were huge (he is a 1.2 TB) arrghh, maybe I will send him away to get backed after all!! He did look fabby though !!

I will try again on Saturday in a smaller area and I think I do need to get going now with the long reining, he is maybe getitng a bit bored and cocky.

I have a thicker longer lunge line I might use next time, more to hold on to.

Thanks for reassuring words!
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I think you would be better to get the lunging part under a bit more control before you start long reining. If the horse breaks away with two lines attached to the bit at worst you could cause a lot of damage to her mouth, at best make her very reluctant to accept a contact.

My advice would be get a bit of help with her during the early stages.
 
Yes, that is why I have been reluctant to attach any thing to the bit. I am seeing my instructor on Monday, she is fab and has tons of experience, so she will sort me out.

thanks
 
Its great that you have experienced support from someone you trust and you are right to be cautious about attaching any lines to the bit. I am sure you will be fine with help from your instructor. Good luck
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Thank you Sparklet. I know I am not the most experienced, but I have lots of support and I really care about doing the best for this horse.

cheers
 
I wouldn't worry too much about it, I've lunged two young horses so far, and they both did it once or twice with me in the very early days when something's spooked them, or they just go silly. It's horrible when it happens though, isn't it. But, they both only did it once or twice, and now they're fine to lunge.

I don't think he will have learnt from that one off occasion that he's allowed to do that.

I'd be wary of trying to handle two reins if (by your own admission) you are new to lungeing and you are lungeing a very young horse. Two reins can be very fiddly and hard to handle if you've never done it before, and you might be better learning to do it with an older, experienced horse first.

Cordoning off a smaller area is a really good idea - you could do that with poles and jump wings.

And just carry on as you're doing, because it sounds like up until then, it had been going well!

Do you use any side reins or other gadgets?
 
Hi thanks for the reassurance Petrie, much appreciated. It did give me a fright, I am 3 months pregnant and it definitly makes you more aware of the potential danger of horses!

I don't use any gadgets on him, and don't know if I ever will, although he did have a surcingle on, which he has worn for about 2 months now.

I suppose it is just a normal reaction from a youngster and I have been through this process with my friends horse, who is now going beautifully when ridden, but she certanly had her moments too!
 
Don't ever be afraid to get help, even if you can't do anything with him for a few days until someone can be there with you. Much better to handle him less but correctly than feel you have to do lots with him and run the risk of cocking it up.

You must be having a dodgy keyboard moment too cos a '1.2' TB doesn't sound much of a challenge!! LOL
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