Lungeing woes!!

[harlequinwalk]

Evening all. Tonight I tried to lunge my horse for the first time in a few years. On the right rein he was as good as gold, better than I was expecting given that we haven't done it for a while and when we did do it before, he wasn't always on his best behaviour. Anyway, I was very pleased. I tried to change direction to work on the left rein, and he was not having any of it! I couldn't even get him to take one step, or send him out away from me. He just keeps sidestepping so that he is constantly facing you. I tried sending him out with the whip but he just kept moving his hindquarters away. After eventually admitting defeat tonight I sent him out on the right rein and again he worked beautifully. Has anyone had this problem before? If so, did you find a way to resolve it? I will ask my instructor for advice on Sunday and hopefully she will be able to help us, but in the meantime any tips would be gratefully received 😊

 

[horcrrux]

My youngster was exactly the same on the right rein when I first started lunging him, it was a nightmare trying to get him out there but once he was he worked fine! I think I used to pretty much have to have him facing the fence whilst I quickly stepped back and moved him on before he span around...not ideal but it worked and he got easier very quickly. Wouldn't really recommend it if he's a kicker though. Always aim for the fleshy part above the hocks with your whip.
Now have another youngster who is a lot less balanced on the right rein and loves to fall in on the lunge, but she's perfect on the left!

 

[Summer pudding]

Evening all. Tonight I tried to lunge my horse for the first time in a few years. On the right rein he was as good as gold, better than I was expecting given that we haven't done it for a while and when we did do it before, he wasn't always on his best behaviour. Anyway, I was very pleased. I tried to change direction to work on the left rein, and he was not having any of it! I couldn't even get him to take one step, or send him out away from me. He just keeps sidestepping so that he is constantly facing you. I tried sending him out with the whip but he just kept moving his hindquarters away. After eventually admitting defeat tonight I sent him out on the right rein and again he worked beautifully. Has anyone had this problem before? If so, did you find a way to resolve it? I will ask my instructor for advice on Sunday and hopefully she will be able to help us, but in the meantime any tips would be gratefully received ��

I have the same prob with my young newbie...I had a lunge lesson and the instructor managed beautifully of course..it seemed to be all to do wih the angle you start from..easier said than done, she made it look easy. Mine defo has a much stiffer side/better rein so this could be a learned evasion. I will be interested to hear what others say. I did exactly the same as you to end on a good note and returned to his good rein. I have put off having another go!!!

 

[budley95]

I tend to lunge with 2 lines and long line to get them out on a stiff side and gradually bring them in. Presuming you know theres nothing wrong and its just a weaker rein?

 

[harlequinwalk]

I tend to lunge with 2 lines and long line to get them out on a stiff side and gradually bring them in. Presuming you know theres nothing wrong and its just a weaker rein?

Although he is slightly stiffer on the left rein when ridden, he does work well so I don't think there is anything wrong physically. But worth looking into if it persists, thanks 😊

 

[WelshD]

One of mine is like this, I guide him out clearly with one hand holding the line right away from my body and pointing in the direction I need him to go in and then 'drive' him forward (so I start level with his quarters but a distance away) once he is moving forward I start to widen the distance, I find it easier to start on a gentle curve so make a n oval to start with moving with him, only when he is going forward better do I make the circle

 

[atlantis]

Lunging lessons are worth it. I was taught to lunge as a teenager by my boss at the time (dressage rider and judge) and I'm so grateful.

If I have this problem (which I did a little with my youngster last week) I start with some in hand stuff getting her to move away from the handle of the whip, gently at the girth. Then quickly step more behind her (whilst still at the side) level with her quarters but to the side, to drive her forwards with the lunge whip. (Gently if that's all it takes) Always done in walk first and if she moved forwards into trot then fine.

I always always wear a hat and gloves when lunging too. A nice long thick lunge line and proper lunge whip.

I've never long reined. I think because I've never been shown and I'd like to be before I ever do long rein. It's worth getting lessons on a horse that is regularly lunged.

 

[JillA]

Sounds like the result of always leading from the nearside - horse just doesn't think you should be on his off side, and is trying to do what he thinks you want. Test it - lead from the offside a few times, he will probably try and get you on his near side. Teach him to lead on either side and you will be able to send him off on the lunge as an extension of that.